I am Jamela and I’m 19 years old. After long hours of practicing in a school choir, when I was ten, I collapsed. My mom took me to a doctor and I was diagnosed with lupus. For a second opinion, mom and dad took me to another doctor, but I …
Read More »Alexa’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus)
My name is Alexa. At the young age of 17, I was a married and a mom of a little boy. I did not expect to become pregnant again so soon after my first pregnancy. The second time around, I was so sick. I soon got to be 87 lbs. …
Read More »Barbi’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Lupus – SLE)
I am from Mount Airy, North Carolina and my name is Barbi Manchester. I am thirty three years old and have lived a normal, active life. Five years ago my normal, active life received a “kick in the pants” and came to a screeching halt. I was diagnosed with systemic …
Read More »Rashon’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Lupus)
One winter while I was in the midst of applying to medical school, I began having muscle and joint pain in my arms, legs, and hands. The pain was accompanied by a fever of unknown origin. The symptoms came as a sudden onset, not gradual. I made several trips to …
Read More »Stephanie’s Fight Like A Girl Story (Lupus)
I suppose my story begins at age 16. I’m now 32 and I’ve been fighting this fight for half my life. I first started getting sick with symptoms like most others; swollen joints, fatigue, and doctors who couldn’t diagnose me. By 17 it was confirmed that I had SLE (systemic …
Read More »Cecelia’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Lupus)
I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1995, after several years of pain and swelling in my joints. I had seen many doctors, and was told by some that it was all in my head. When I was finally diagnosed, the disease had already started to flare and I immediately had …
Read More »Brittney’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Lupus)
I have always had what were thought of as minor health issues. I have always had aches and pains and they were always thought to be ‘growing pains’ or something along those lines. At about 13, I started to notice a change in my toes. They started to feel numb …
Read More »Gayla’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus)
I am a 44-year-old woman who is fighting multiple sclerosis and lupus, which have caused multiple other problems. I try to stay positive for those I love, but find it hard on some days. I have 8 grandbabies that I would like to see more often, but my pain stands in the way. …
Read More »Debra’s Fight Like A Girl Story (Lupus)
I had been feeling bad for about 4 years, and I kept telling my doctors how I felt. They said that I have high blood pressure and I’m overweight. Three months ago, I went back and told my doctor about my joints hurting, the rash on my neck, and that …
Read More »Cindy’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Lupus)
In March 2012, I was diagnosed with Lupus. I had been sick for over a month with a fever, achy joints, and a rash all over my body. So I went to the emergency room. The hospital staff said I was going to stay for a couple of days. At …
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