Hospital Transylvania

Where do I begin??? If you're unaware, lupus flare-ups attacks SUDDENLY without warning at times. My daughters and I have SLE Lupus but it affects us all differently. Kidney disease (lupus nephritis), Discoid Lupus, and Lupus myositis are what affect the 3 of us.

Let me give you a quick breakdown of how lupus entered our lives and "tried' to wreck havoc. It came during my early years, 18 years old, and went for my joints/organs. I had a lot of inflammation in my lungs, liver, kidneys, and joints. Next it came for my children, my oldest, the twins. Lupus came with a vengeance and attacked Summer's kidneys (in which she developed lupus nephritis, a serious and fatal kidney disease developed from the inflammation of the kidneys).

Six years after Summer's diagnosis, lupus showed it's ugly face again. This time attacking Joy and her muscles; she was diagnosed with Lupus myositis.

Lupus hit my babies the hardest and for that I will always continue to kick the crap out of it everyday I wake. Health and fitness is not only about looking good for me and mine, ITS OUR LIFE, our life depends on it. IT is what saved us!! Amen! (Thank you Papa God once again)... you know I always have to stop and give my Father God praise because all glory goes to Him.

So I know you're wondering why is this blog titled Hospital Transylvania right? Well we have visited and stayed so much that it became to be a family vacation at times except it was no vacation...lol well that's how we felt at least.

I've learned we go through life tests not to make our lives miserable but to teach us something. The possibility of trading hotel stays for hospital stays made me feel angry, bitter, a bunch of negative emotions that wasn't going to help me nor my children. So I changed my thinking and refused to have that type of mentality; this was only temporary and it was. Although a month stay in the hospital wasn't easy especially doing it year after year, however, we persevered.

Both girls had to endure a few bouts of chemotherapy drugs cytoxan and rituxan to help with the severe inflammation and renal disease. There were so many unwanted side effects my girls had to endure while on the chemo drugs, such as, massive hair loss, nausea, weight gain, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, etc.

They have endured things some adults haven't experienced and I remind them that is what makes them WARRIORS, STRONG, unique, resilient, beautiful, and courageous, young ladies. Like I've said before, my girls inspire me because although I too was diagnosed, I wasn't diagnosed at such a young age like they were. My girls had to learn how to defeat the bullies at school who sadly are not being taught at home, it's not nice to treat others who may not look like you any indifferent. That in itself was something we all had to learn how to handle, even myself as a parent. Kids nowadays can be so cruel. Along with the bullies, my girls also have to juggle schoolwork even on their worst days where they're not in good health. But they continue to make the honor roll and continue to strive for their dreams despite it all. That makes me one proud mama. They are true WARRIORS here!!!

So all in all, we as lupus warriors learned that all though the hospital is made to make you feel comfortable, like a hotel stay, we DECIDED no more Hospital Transylvania for us...lol We are taking back our lives with health and fitness!!!