How Amy is successfully dealing with her Systemic Lupus Condition through her faith and her Significant Other Support





How Amy Copes with Lupus.

In summary, Amy is coping with her Lupus. It isn't easy. She's finding out daily it's far from impossible to survive with Lupus.Note: This is one woman's coping. It's not meant to be a general statement on every person's way of dealing with this disability."> Preliminary note: Amy is

an alias privacy reasons. She is a real woman.

She and I have been long time dear friends



First a little primer on

Lupus. Lupus is a chronic anti-inflammatory, auto-immune disease. There

are basically two forms, discoid and systemic. The former is characterized

by a rash across the cheeks and nose. It is butterfly shaped and makes

the person look somewhat wolf like. Lupus wolf in Latin.

Amy has the second much

more serious type. This version attacks mostly women of child bearing

age. It can adversely affect all systems of the body> Mostly like joints,

liver, kidneys and nervouse system. She was in her mid thirties when she

was diagnosed. I remember her reaction. She was greatly distressed, in

tears, deeply worried about her future. Her lover, Joanna of over two decades

was there to comfort her. She still is there to be of help and care.

Amy takes medication to

cope with her her joint inflammation and

pain. Her prescription drugs are prescribed by her rheumatologist. Amy

felt her specialist not only was quite knowledgeable about her condition

but of equal importance he was a genuinely caring of her Unfortunately

he is retiring soon. She hopes and prays that she finds a doctor that is

as knowing and caring as him.

"My faith gives me hope

and strength." she truly believes. Primarily faith helps me with my condition."


Without faith I would have not made it this far. With the lupus you

also have depression." You do have mood swings. This can also be a side

affect of the medication.

Her current symptoms are

lots of joint pain, trouble walking. Sometimes she is able to get around

and sometimes not. She can get very fatigued. Joanna helps her spirtually,

lovingly and emotionally.

I look for the rest of my

future as being bright because I came to the realization that I must cope

with my condition for the rest of my life. I was in denial in the beginning. Now I realize Lupus is a life long condition.

She tries her best to avoid

rain and snow since dampness can worsen her condition. She also makes wholehearted

attempts not to get to get too stressed out. Amy copes

with her Lupus with a strong faith and equally with help and love from

Joanna.