Unexpected Lupus FlareWhen I flare I’ll usually feel pain on my right hip or stiffness in my hands. But, this time I was feeling this radiating pain in my neck and upper...reactions2comments
Understanding Ableism: A Personal JourneyLiving with lupus comes with its own set of challenges, but an often overlooked and deeply painful aspect of the experience is the ableism that people with chronic illnesses, like...reactions2comments
Motivation Struggles With Chronic IllnessI am exhausted. At first, I thought it was just fatigue towards the tedium and permanence of chronic illness chores, but it’s more than that. I recently learned the term...reactions6comments
How I Set Goals With LupusIn my life before lupus, I was goal-oriented and hard-working. Dreams of academic success, a college scholarship, or scoring a high rank in musical competitions motivated me to study hard...reactionscomments
Nurturing Roots: Healthy Hair Care MattersI remember combing my hair and clumps being pulled onto the comb. Washing my hair and it just falling out in my hands. Every so often I have “hot spots”...reactionscomments
Lupus and More Lung IssuesHaving lupus means you have multiple appointments throughout the years. Not only with your rheumatologist but with the rest of your care team. Mine consisted of my nephrologist, pulmonologist, oncologist...reactions3comments
How To Stay Healthy While On ImmunosuppressantsEvery night, I count out a handful of pills. Six of these pills, which are prescribed by my rheumatologist to keep my lupus under control, are immunosuppressants. As their name...reactions6comments
My First Ethical Question Mark with Chronic Illness CompensationI’ve been sharing my life with chronic illness openly online since nearly the moment my symptoms started happening. Sometimes it might look easy or seem natural, but it’s surprisingly difficult...reactions1comment
Life Lessons From a 35-Year-Old Lupus WarriorLiving with lupus amongst other chronic illnesses is an uncharted journey that demands resilience, adaptation, and a strong spirit. When I got diagnosed with lupus, I was 27 and did...reactions15comments
How to Survive the Holidays with LupusThe winter holidays conjure images of snowmen and candy canes, presents wrapped under a tree or beside a Menorah, and plates piled high with frosted sugar cookies. Unfortunately for us...reactionscomments
Doodling My Way To Wellness Beyond LupusDoes anyone remember as a child how you would just sit and doodle? We would doodle during class getting out nervous energy. Doodling, often seen as a mindless pastime, silently...reactionscomments
Getting Older As A Lupus WarriorTurning 35 is a milestone for anyone, and as crazy as it sounds it is pretty much middle age for a huge amount of the population. Every day is super...reactionscomments
Losing Friends and Family Because of LupusOne of my most painful days with lupus wasn’t a day when my joints were swollen or when my fatigue was overwhelming. It wasn’t even when I was bedridden with...reactions5comments
Why I Choose Easy Because of LupusHave you heard of choosing your hard? It’s usually framed in a way where either direction is hard (such as marriage or divorce) and you have to pick one. Well...reactions5comments
Road Trip Essentials for Lupus WarriorsMy husband and I recently purchased a car so now I’ve been planning several road trips for the future. But, living with lupus presents unique challenges and we just can’t...reactionscomments
Beyond the Flare: Managing Anxiety Around HealthMy heart skipped a beat. I took a deep breath and then the anxiety hit. I muttered to myself, “What’s wrong with me? Is my lupus messing with my heart...reactions3comments
So When Are You Having Kids?Lately at every party (I guess because I’m married and 34 and childless) people ask, "so when are you going to have kids?". I have a long winded explanation in...reactions1comment
How It Feels to Budget Your EnergyIn my life with lupus, my brain is keeping a constant tally of energy and how to "budget" my energy throughout the day. When the miniseries Maid began streaming on...reactions3comments
Cozy Toes GiveawayThe Cozy Toes Giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your interest! Winter is here and that means dry skin, stiff and painful joints, and flare-ups caused by the shift...reactions3comments
Can You Prioritize Physical Strength With Lupus Pain?One year ago, I began to struggle with pain and instability in my wrists. I had struggled with the pain of lupus arthritis in my hands since the very beginning...reactionscomments