𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗨𝗠

Still dancing. Still dreaming. Still thriving. When I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus at the age of 11 it was difficult for me to understand why I got it or what it was. It was scary not knowing what would happen. What I didn't realize at that time was what my life would be like having a chronic disease....

That I would end up in a coma for 10 days due to the Lupus invading my central nervous

system. That I'd end up gaining so much water weight from being on prednisone making me unrecognizable at times -- which was very difficult to deal with during my adolescence. And that some days I'd wake up not being able to move because my muscles would be so sore and my joints would be aching. That I'd have to stay at the hospital to receive medication called Cytoxan (form of chemo) to suppress the lupus and I would get sick and I’d lose most of my hair. That by the time I turned 25 I'd lose both legs below the knee and almost all my fingers from getting streptococcal pneumonia that turned septic. That I’d get both shoulders replaced from being on prednisone for so long. And then in 2013 didn’t know I’d end up getting autoimmune hepatitis where my liver is attacking itself due to the Lupus. AND those are just a few things that have happened through out the years. Yep… I had more! Even though I’ve I had to endure a lot… Through it all, I had the choice to both be angry and give up or to stay hopeful, and move forward with my life. I decided to turn my negative situation in to a positive one. I had to believe in myself that I COULD DO THIS..Since I couldn’t change what happened to me I could change my attitude towards it. I knew I had to have a sense of humor about it and to laugh because you know what they say… that laughter is the best medicine. � Don’t get me wrong…not every day is a happy positive one. I still have my bad days where I get down; I just don’t stay down for too long. So I’ve decided to create this page in hopes that it will inspire and motivate others to move forward despite what obstacle they’re given in life. To be grateful for what we have not dwell on what we don’t have. I will also share how I get through my hard times because Tough Times Never last, but Tough People Do!