Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Georgia

Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Rose Graham

The lupus community includes people living with lupus, friends, family and supporters across Georgia. For Lupus Awareness Month, we would like to highlight some of our lupus heroes and champions. 

Meet Rose Graham

It was 1984 the day before Thanksgiving. I should have been in the kitchen cutting onions and boiling noodles for macaroni and cheese for the dinner with my cousins. I was actually sitting in a waiting room to be seen by a pulmonologist. In September I had double pneumonia and was in the hospital for a week. I did not fully recover from the symptoms so further testing was done, and the results came the day before Thanksgiving. The pulmonologist told me that I had lupus and an interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis. 

That day changed my life forever. I was placed on a high dosage of prednisone. Initially it worked but then I began having additional symptoms. More tests was done - One year later two days before Thanksgiving I was diagnosed with Polymyositis (lupus myositis). Two years later with roller-coaster symptoms my rheumatologist suggested I participate in a double blind white apheresis cell study at NIH. They called me and on June 10th, 1988 I flew to NIH for the study. I was there until August 20th. I was sent back home and placed on methotrexate along with the prednisone. 

In 2008 I was placed on oxygen for Pulmonary Fibrosis. In 2012 two weeks after Thanksgiving and more symptoms I was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension and placed on specialty meds. In 2017 3 days before Thanksgiving I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I now have 10 disorders and 10 doctors / specialists. 

Throughout these 40 years the battle of fluctuating symptoms, the many doctor visits, lab/blood/CT scans, 3 year ER visits have worn my emotions down. I battle weariness and depression along with the painful sufferings. Nevertheless 4 things help me: 

1. My faith keeps me lifted up 

2. My philosophy is that the half glass still quenches thirst.

3. This thorn actually stirs things up to be replaced, revived, or restored - making room for a new or amended gifts.

4. Keep Hope Alive - don't stop believing and don't quit!

 Hang in there my lupies!

Thank You to Our Generous Sponsor

Choosing to prioritize your kidney health might be uncomfortable, but the reality is that up to 30% of people who live with lupus nephritis may experience kidney failure, which can lead to dialysis or even a kidney transplant. Luckily, there are steps you can take now that may help, such as scheduling routine tests and asking your doctor about treatment options. Talk to your doctor to learn more about routine testing and treatment.

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