The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

As I wander through the woods of life, I find myself haunted by a cunning and deceptive creature, lupus. To me, it is a wolf in sheep's clothing, a master of disguise, hiding its true intentions behind a facade of normalcy. Through my experiences with this relentless illness, I have come to understand why this metaphor perfectly captures the essence of lupus.

Describing lupus

If I had to describe lupus as an animal, I would say it's a wolf in sheep's clothing. It looks like a normal person on the outside, but on the inside, it's a vicious beast that can cause a lot of pain and damage.

Initial stages of lupus

In the initial stages of my journey with lupus, it masqueraded as a harmless sheep, unassuming and gentle. I dismissed early symptoms. I attributed them to temporary fatigue or stress due to overworking. The wolf within lay dormant, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Like a predator in the shadows, lupus bided its time, observing my every move, and learning my weaknesses.

That first lupus flare

With the first flare, the wolf finally revealed its true identity. The pain and exhaustion washed over me like a sudden storm. It caught me off guard. It was then that I realized the danger lurking within. Lupus had shed its sheep's clothing, exposing its fangs and claws. As the flare raged on, I felt like prey captured in the jaws of a relentless predator, unable to escape its grasp.

The wolf continuing to pounce

Transitions between flares and silence are all too familiar, further solidifying the wolf in sheep's clothing metaphor. In times of silence, I am lulled into a false sense of security. I actually believe I conquered the wolf. But lupus was merely resting, gathering strength for its next ambush. And just when I think I am free, the wolf would emerge once more. It catches me by surprise, even though I go through its wrath over and over.

Lupus is all over the place

Like a wolf hunting in packs, lupus affected not just my body but my life as a whole. It has intruded into my daily routines, relationships, and plans. Simple tasks became difficult challenges. I have often had and still have to sacrifice activities I love to accommodate the wolf's demands. It’s a constant battle to protect the sheep of my life from the predatory nature of this illness.

The most difficult thing about lupus

One of the most difficult things about living with lupus is that it's unpredictable. I can go for months without any symptoms, and then suddenly I'll have a flare-up that knocks me out for weeks. It's like living with a ticking time bomb.

Managing symptoms

I've learned to manage my lupus with medication and lifestyle changes. But, it's still a constant battle. I have to be careful about what I eat, how much I exercise, and how much stress I put on myself.

But even though lupus is a difficult disease to live with, I'm determined to live a full and active life. I'm not going to let lupus define me.

The wolf

The wolf can be a symbol of strength, power, and independence. It's also a symbol of wildness and unpredictability. These are all qualities that I associate with lupus.

When I'm in a flare-up, I feel like the wolf is inside of me, prowling around and waiting to attack. I'm tired, I'm in pain, and I just want to hide away from the world.

But when I'm feeling well, I feel like the wolf is my ally. It gives me strength and courage to face whatever challenges come my way.

The sheep's clothing

The sheep's clothing is a symbol of normalcy. It's what I wear to the outside world to hide my lupus.

I don't want people to see me as sick or weak. I want them to see me as a normal person who just happens to have lupus. But sometimes, the sheep's clothing starts to feel like a burden. It's exhausting to pretend to be someone I'm not.

Living with lupus

Living with lupus is a balancing act. I have to find a way to manage my symptoms without letting the disease control my life.

It's not easy, but I'm determined to live a full and active life. I'm not going to let lupus define me.

To me, lupus truly embodies the image of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Its deceptive, unpredictable nature and ability to strike when least expected mirror the cunning and stealth of a predatory wolf. As I continue to navigate the wilderness of life alongside this relentless creature, I arm myself with knowledge, support, and determination, ready to face whatever challenges the wolf in sheep's clothing throws my way.

The future for lupus

I'm hopeful for the future. I believe that there will be new treatments for lupus that will make it easier to manage. I also believe that people will become more understanding of lupus. They'll learn that it doesn't have to be a death sentence, and that people with lupus can live long and healthy lives in spite of the issues that arise.

If you could describe lupus as an animal, which would you choose and why? Let me know in the comments.