Debra D. - Diagnosed Age 29

I was six months pregnant when I found out I had lupus. I had no symptoms. I went to the doctor for a regular visit and to see if I was carrying a boy or girl, but it didn’t get to that, the nurse ran out and got the doctor. He asked me if I had lupus and I said no. They called the ambulance and I was rushed to the hospital where they did several tests on me and told me that I did have lupus and they urged me to have a D&C procedure at six months I refused.

I had a baby girl, she was born with congenital heart blockage and she has a pace-maker. I was told she wouldn’t live but she will be 21 Nov. 23, 2019.

Because of lupus I have lost a lot. My husband of 16 years just up and left, he said he couldn’t take it anymore. I lost all my teeth. I had two back surgeries. I had a morphine pump that got infected so I had to have surgery to remove it and the healing process took a toll on me. I can’t tell you how many times I have been admitted in the hospital. I can’t tell you how many medicines I tried because of lupus.

Lupus has really made my life hard. Most of the time right now I’m in so much pain that I can’t function. I’m disabled and I received disability but it’s not enough so I started working at my church five days a week from 9-1. I couldn’t even do that so now I’m trying to work three days a week from 9-1. Sometimes I still have to call in. Thank God I have a very understanding Pastor. I could go on and on about how lupus has totally effected my life but we only have so much space.