Life, Lupus and Loss...Prayers please

Those of you who have been around for years know that almost 5 years ago, on December 10th, after a long, painful struggle, my sister died of multi-organ failure due to systemic lupus erythematosus.

On Thursday...this Thursday, October 9th at 1;30 pm, we are meeting with a pediatric rheumatologist to see if my eldest daughter, BRE, has lupus. She has some of the symptoms and all of the positive blood work.

"Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's natural defense system (immune system) attacks its own tissues instead of attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses. This causes inflammation. Inflammation causes swelling, pain, and tissue damage throughout the body. If you develop severe lupus, you may have problems with your kidneys, heart, lungs, nervous system, or blood cells. Lupus is the common name for systemic lupus erythematosus, also called SLE.

Although some people with lupus have only mild symptoms, the disease is lifelong and can become severe. But most people can control their symptoms and prevent severe damage to their organs. They do this by seeing their doctors often for checkups, getting enough rest and exercise, and taking medicines."

My sister, Geri, was 47 when she died. BRE turns 13 on Sunday.