I promised a friend of mine, Monica Pena, a social media guru with Mundu Media, that before the end of the year I would start to write again. Many times, I have sat in front of this blank screen thinking where should I begin. Other times, I thought do I even have the time to write again. Of course I do, if I can take time to write 2 Facebook posts a day, LOL. We can make excuses for everything, but we will make time for the things we prioritize!
I want to thank Monica for that extra push. She has always looked out for me! I am grateful for great friends/mentors like her in my life. I consider her family.
As we are approaching the holiday season, I've been overwhelmed with a range of emotions. Thankfully, the holidays bring back mostly good memories for me. I reminisce of all the great family memories and traditions we have built over the last several years. It truly brings a smile to my face =).
Then, there are those years around the holiday time that I would like to forget. Like in 2008, when I surprise visited my brother and sister-in-law in Ohio for the holidays to only end up in the Emergency Room in Mansfield, OH. I guess the surprise was on me! That was the year that I went through a 21-day liquid fast (no solids) during the span of Thanksgiving and Christmas. Oh, so much fun (notice the sarcasm)! I was trying the Functional and Holistic Medicine route first praying it would save my life. I had to detox my body to get ahead of the Autoimmune viscously attacking my system. There is nothing like not being able to eat all your holiday favorite meals because of an Autoimmune illness. Grrrrr!!!
My medical history since 2006 is SUPER complicated. I get it, but man that Mansfield, OH hospital did not know what they were doing. It was scary! I don't expect everyone to get my condition. I understand my medical files are miles long. I expect the medical profession to know a little more about my case, before they start trying to poke and pry me with random needles and medications.
During that time in my life, I had undergone tons of testing for everything under the sun-you name it! I finally was diagnosed with ITP and Mixed Connective Disorder. It's a diagnosis they give you when you have an Autoimmune Disease, but doctors can't put their finger on exactly which one of the 80 different types there are. To make a long story short, after seizing 3 times and flatlining in 2009, I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus.
The process to get to that diagnosis wasn't that smooth, but for the sake of blogging I will give you the Spark notes version ;). Also, the treatments and procedures that I have endured over 8 years haven't been a walk in the park.
Now that you are a little more up-to-date on my health situation, I'm sharing with you that I will be heading into the CT scan of my abdomen area on Friday, November 8, 2013. It's been 4 years since my first diagnosis with Systemic Lupus. I realize it's the holiday season again! Yay for me! My understanding, after researching for many years, is that Lupus goes into remission like cancer, but then when I have a flare up it attacks different parts of my body.
Lupus is a thief! It sneaks back in and wants to steal, kill and destroy organs and tissues. This time it was so sneaky that it went for my kidneys. I happened to notice swelling in my lower extremities (my legs and ankles) about 10 weeks ago. I brought it up to my primary care within a couple of weeks which led me to see 3 more specialists after the swelling (edema) didn't go away.
I found out as a patient with a chronic illness that you are the best medical advocate for yourself. The reason I'm going in for the CT scan this week and kidney biopsy next week is because I kept pressing the issue that the swelling in my legs and ankles wasn't going away. My Mom thought the swelling seemed a little suspicious. Thank God for Moms (they can be our conscience)!!!
In the last 10 weeks, my hair has been falling out in chunks in the shower. A sign that Lupus is trying to make a return. I've accepted that I may have to go back to wearing wigs. My legs have swollen up to the size of Texas (ok, a little exaggeration). They did get big enough to remind me of an elephant leg. I have been wearing the very fashionable compression stocking and elevating my legs above my heart every night :). My energy has been pretty low. I don't sleep well. It's pretty tough when one of the hats you wear is to chase and care for 3 kids under 5 years old while playing the roles of wife, mother, daughter, sister, etc.
I've been seeing specialty doctors almost twice a week. I ended up in Urgent Care earlier this week with a sore throat and cough. It's hard to fight off the littlest sore throat, cough or cold when your own immune system is your worst enemy. Living with Lupus is saying that your body is allergic to itself. Your body always thinks it needs to attack something even when there isn't any antibodies to go after. Many times with Lupus you won't see someone who "looks" sick, because all the damage is happening on the inside. It's the most frustrating part of explaining the illness to people who don't understand.
After my visit to Urgent Care on Tuesday, I've been on high dosages of Prednisone (corticoseteriods) and Amoxicillon. Most of you know, Prednisone has a whole range of ugly side effects like insomnia, acne, water retention, you get the munchies so weight gain, mood swings and your cheeks get big to make you resemble a Chipmunk (just call me Chipette, lol). Also, I've had to put a hault to my running, exercising and Zumba workouts :(. You all know I love Zumba :)!
All I have to say is that Lupus must have forgotten that I don't give up that easily! I'm a child of God. You will not come to steal, kill and destroy!!! I have an Ultimate Physician and Healer. The victory is already won. You better go on somewhere, because this battle was won before it even started. God has my life in the palm of His hand. I have to walk out God's will for my life. I have a very important faith assignment to carry out! God assigned me to be His messenger here. My work is not done! I still need to reach people one on one, Sol2Soul, through the various media platforms that God has opened doors for. My purpose is greater than this earthly mission field.
Without all of this "mess," I wouldn't have a great message. Thank you, Lupus, for the challenge and platform. God gives his toughest battles to His strongest soldiers. I have on my armor. I'm ready to battle this chronic illness head on! Like I said, I know I am already healed in Jesus name! I may have Lupus, but Lupus doesn't have me!!!
For all of you stuck in the "fight of your life" or "battle" feeling there is no hope from your debilitating health, marriage, relationship, job, money issues, motivation, family, kids, stress etc., I have seen it on many occasions where hopeless situations turn right side up. All of a sudden health and relationships restore, jobs open up or are created, money duplicates, energy refuels, marriages work out, families reunite and kids become grateful and obedient.
I've seen stressful situations turn into peaceful ones. I've seen the power of LOVE. I've seen FORGIVENESS set people free! You are not alone. You will get through this difficult season in your life. Joy always comes in the morning (Psalm 30). God is sooooo good! Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not onto your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10)!
There is a lesson to be learned. You will be a stronger and better person because of it! Don't give up, because your blessing is around the corner. Your battle is already won! All you need to do is call upon the big man upstairs. He conquered the grave, and it doesn't get any better than that. God does the IMPOSSIBLE!
Remember "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13)!!!"
In Him,
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Seek Your Passion, Feed Your Soul, Love Your Life!
Evelina Solis
Sol2Soul
(Bringing Hope, Changing Lives)
#blog #inspiration #Sol2Soul #PowerofWomen #chronicillness #Lupus #caregivers #encouragment #empower #nevergiveup #warrior
