By Mitchelle Uzorka, 8:00am
I HAVE LUPUS – LUPUS DOESN’T HAVE ME!
On November 8, 2012, I was diagnosed with lupus. I’d heard the word, but I knew nothing about lupus and had no idea how it would affect me and my family. I went from Pam who had already been to four stores by 10 o’clock on Saturday mornings to Pam who had to abandon my shopping cart after just five minutes of walking around Walmart. On November 22, 2012 (around 10:30 on Thanksgiving night) God sent an angel to my hospital room in the body of Dr. Gary Myerson. Dr. Myerson educated me and my sister about lupus and promised that he would get me back to normal. He even overlooked the fact that I’m a New Orleans Saints fan (Who Dat!) and he’s an Atlanta Falcons fan.
My initial lupus flare was long, hard, and scary. I was out of work for six months, hospitalized multiple times, and stuck with more needles than a pin cushion, but I survived! I was blessed with the love and support of my son, my extended family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. I was also blessed to have a supportive employer, great health insurance, disability coverage and an outstanding team of doctors who worked together to get me to my new “normal”.
I fought through my fear of the scary stories about lupus and decided to get involved in the fight so that we can have a future with NO scary lupus stories. I’m walking because I know that everyone living with lupus is not as fortunate as I was in 2012 and 2013. I’m walking because ALL lupus patients deserve proper medical care with qualified specialists, adequate health insurance, disability coverage, job security, and compassion while we deal with the devastating effects of our illness.
It’s not too late to make a difference – personalize your page with a picture and your story of how lupus affects you and those you love.
Tell everyone – ask everyone – you never know who wants to help – people will give.
Pamela Alexander.
