Tiffany B. - Diagnosed Age 35
My husband Aaron and I always dreamed of having 3 kids since we met in 2005. We currently have 2 boys Kaden 13 and Kaleb 11. In 2016 we finally decided, let's expand our family. We were pleasantly surprised in August of 2016 when we were pregnant with our 3rd child. When I found out we were pregnant I was so excited but noticed in the mirror a strange rash on my face, chest, arms, and lip. I was shocked but thought maybe it just the pregnancy. I went to the doctor’s office for the routine exam and blood work, and one look from my OBGYN and she said "that looks like lupus, I just had a patient that had the same rash and she was just diagnosed with lupus". I gave her a look like she was crazy.
I tried everything to get rid of the rash. I finally went to the dermatologist and they looked at me and said “no it’s not the pregnancy that's causing this rash.” They decided to do a biopsy. I received the results back from my OBGYN to confirm my pregnancy, and now it was time to do an ultrasound to see how far along I was. The ultrasound was performed and the look of concern on my doctors face gave me pause. She looked over at me and my husband and said the pregnancy is not a viable pregnancy and we need to do a D&C. My heart sank and my eyes flooded with tears. My husband held me in his arms and we both were in disbelief.
In the meantime, I received the results back from the dermatologists and they wanted me to come in. They took another biopsy to be sure but advised it looks like lupus. They referred me to a rheumatologist. I found out that I had lupus for some time, but didn't know. I had symptoms like swollen ankles, feet, high blood pressure, tiredness, and headaches but pushed it to the side as we all do. My lupus includes kidney disease and a host of other problems lupus brings with it. Now that I am diagnosed, I am on medication that helps me continue to work and be there for my family. I have a husband and 2 boys, but I wouldn't be here if my unborn baby didn't save my life!