Meet my dear friend Katie

Today you all get the privilege of meeting my dear {real life} friend Katie from minivan diva in our blog swap.  We met a few years ago through our MOPS {mothers of preschoolers} program through the church and quickly became friends with a lot more in common than having kids the same ages.  Katie is who inspired me to start my own blog.

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Hi sweet friends of Karen's! I just love Karen, don't you? I get the privilege of knowing this amazing mama in real life.



I'm blessed.

Karen and I both suffer from diseases. However, we are both determined to not let those body destroyers rob our joy. Thank you for allowing me to share what's on my heart today.

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The word lupus was normal while growing up in my household.

i knew it was the disease that took the life of my young uncle.

I knew it was the reason my kindergarten class drew pictures and made a book for mom while she was in the hospital.

I understood that lupus was why my mom wore a wig off and on through my childhood and could not be out in the sun.

While I was frightened when I returned from a play date in 3rd grade and my older sister told me that "Mom is the hospital", it was still familiar.

When I began having strange symptoms add up from the time I was in elementary school until I arrived in the ER at 16, I knew lupus was entering my life in a new way.

It took 6 years from the day I checked into the ER to get a final lupus diagnosis. I went to one specialist to the next until I was ready to just feel rotten and toss my hands in the air.

But then I met with a family friend who recommended me to the doctor who could diagnose the undiagnosable.

She was right.

He was right.

I had lupus.

And if there is one thing living with a disease like lupus has taught me, it is this...

I can choose to focus on theses facts:

I have antibodies that attack healthy parts of my body.

I take over 21 pills a day.



I have the type of lupus that can attack my organs: heart, lungs, brain...you name it. I could end up on the kidney transplant list like my mom.

These crazy antibodies of mine can go wacky at any moment. I don't know if and when.

Like Karen, I fear that I'll die early. I want to live long and see my grandchildren. I especially worry since my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma (in remission). I worry about who would love our children like we do if one or both of us died early.

I have a bald spot and do a comb over due to meds.



I gain weight due to the meds.

My body hurts. Something hurts all. the. time.

There is depression and anxiety from the disease.

My husband has to be extra patient.

OR

I can focus on these facts:

I have a BIG God who is good.



I am blessed with these 3 cool dudes.








My hubby has been by my side before that day in the ER when I was 16 and never gripes about it.



I have awesome friends.

Life is full of suffering. My suffering is light compared to other's.

Although I would love to be healed from this disease, I have learned from it and I am grateful for the many blessings in my life.



Much love,
Katie

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Thank you so much for sharing your story today Katie.  Love you girl!! Hop on over to her blog here and see my story.