It's an honor to share my Lupus story with the Lupus Lives Foundation.
After years of doctor's visits with no answers, I had a seizure in the Spring of 2007. The emergency room physician asked about the rash on my face and the swollen joints. I rattled off the same information I had been rattling since the birth of my youngest son in 2001. Fortunately for me, this doctor listened and suggested a test for Lupus and other autoimmune markers. The next morning, he advised that I did indeed have Lupus as my ANA and INH were positive. My family immediately said I needed to return to St Louis from Overland Park, KS. Once back in St. Louis, the journey to find care was tedious, as I am a rare case, as my ANA fluctuates. After a year of being told I had fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, and even Crohn's, I found a primary care that said blood work is not the only factor when diagnosing Lupus, as I had every other symptom. Dr. Danita Cole is one of my heroes, as she sent me to Dr. Jon Budd and Beatrice Bernhardt with St Louis Rheumatology, thus my care team was formed.
In 2010, the inflammation became too much, and the seizures resurfaced along with other complications. I was told I wouldn't make it to my fortieth birthday. I lost my job, and with four children to raise and medical bills piling up, both my physical and mental health were taking a toll. I thank God every day that my village took over and pushed me into a surprise fortieth birthday. That situation also pushed me into becoming a Lupus Ambassador with the Lupus Foundation of America. I saw that many were not as fortunate as I was to have a village, and others just didn't know what Lupus was. Health fairs, speaking engagements, Lupus 101 conferences, Lupus Walks, LupiDiva, Gamma Pi Rho Lupus Sorority, INC, and other Lupus support organizations, such as Lupus Lives Foundation and causes, became my purpose. How do I do? God has a purpose for my pain. I push through because I am reminded that what I go through isn't always about ME but about God's plan. To know that he is using me to help someone else is all the strength I need to keep going.
My name is Patricia Dees, and I have battled Lupus for nearly 20 years. Still standing
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