Kathy’s blog

My Forum & Message Board started off a few years back by useing just a Journal to help others by posting information on Lupus and Autoimmune Disorders.

It has grown in 2 years time from 6 readers to over 320 members today (May 30, 2007)

I miss writing in journals but still like to sign up for the new journals to help keep spreading the word of what Lupus is and what Lupus isn't.

Education is the key to everything on this unknown diease that hurts so many wonderful people on th einternet.

I have made my site grow first from just posting messages, to adding a "Library", adding a live audio/video/tect chat, over 100 arcade games to play (got to have entertainment too). But most of all, I'm still keeping my motto the same and true, "Pay It Forward, To The Future Lupus Patients and Their Families"

My Story:

I had been sick since I was 16 years old, seizures, arthritic type symptoms, pnuemonia, etc. It was passed off as nothing I was just sick.

As I turned to my 20's the migraines started it was passed off by Doctors as "stress related" or "hormone related".

In my 30's more an dmore ill I became with fatigue, I went from super woman who could do anything to just laying on the sofa and needing to sllep. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) kicked in, I couldn't venture far from my home, from the toilet in fear "I had to go"

I was tested a few times I was aware of (Many Doctors don't always explain what blood work you are having drawn) but there is one called ANA. If it comes back positive, most likely chances are along with certain symptoms you have Lupus.

At age 42 my main artery in my right leg was clogged, I had an emergency artery stent put in (angioplasty & angiogram done) Within months I had another ANA test done and BINGO it was positive. Low positive, but I felt vindicated, I KNEW something was wrong with me all these years!

That was on August 30, 2002.

Within months I again was rushed back for another Angioplasty, sure enough the first stent failed, I needed another one. My toes were as dark as dark blue could get and ice cold. And also no pulse in my ankle.

Well to this day I have a pulse, but I have Raynauds my digits (fingers and toes are cold and change every color)

I just wear socks all day to keep them warm. I don't go out in the sun as I fon't want a rash on my face, or the symptoms to flare up from being out in the sun.,

I just want to get the word out, there is HOPE, there is HELP, but there is not a cure yet.

Family members do not understand what we go through, but if you find yourself a great support network of friends, "we understand what you are going through!"

If you know of someone who may think they have Lupus, please come visit us. We'll help you with information & friendship, We understand.

Kathy

owner/founder

www.LupusMCTD.com

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