This is a blog that documents an individual’s journey with chronic illnesses.
A close friend convinced me to share the story of my illnesses from the start to where I am now.
I will continue to share as long as I can.
My Primary Diseases
(There are many more than these, but these are the main ones.)
Lupus (SLE)
Lupus is a chronic (long-term) disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. It’s an autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system — the body system that usually fights infections — attacks healthy tissue instead. Learn more…
Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s Disease)
Hashimoto disease, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease. It is more common in women than in men, and also more common as people age. Hashimoto disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient areas of the world, including the United States. Learn more…
Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder
Mixed connective tissue disease (MTCD) is an uncommon systemic inflammatory rheumatic condition. MCTD is a specific subset of the broader category of rheumatic “overlap syndromes”, a term used to describe when a patient has features of more than one classic inflammatory rheumatic disease. These classic rheumatic diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. Learn more…
Factor XI Deficiency
Factor XI (FXI) deficiency, also called hemophilia C, is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning both parents must carry the mutated gene in order for their children to be affected. In some cases, FXI deficiency can also be inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, meaning children with only one affected parent may inherit the condition. However, people with only one copy of the mutated gene rarely exhibit severe symptoms. Men and women are affected by FXI deficiency equally. Learn more…
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes recurring, unprovoked seizures. Your doctor may diagnose you with epilepsy if you have two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with a high risk of more. Not all seizures are the result of epilepsy. Seizures may relate to a brain injury or a family trait, but often the cause is completely unknown. Learn more…
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain and tenderness. The pain and tenderness tend to come and go and move about the body. Other symptoms include fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. The diagnosis can be made with a careful examination. Fibromyalgia is most common in women, though it can occur in men. You are at higher risk for fibromyalgia if you have a rheumatic disease. Fibromyalgia does not damage the joints or muscles. Learn more…
Chronic Migraines
Chronic migraine, when someone has more than 15 headache days per month. Migraine is a common and disabling condition reported in approximately 12% of the population. Learn more…
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease present mostly in young women. Those with APS make abnormal proteins called antiphospholipid autoantibodies in the blood. This causes blood to flow improperly and can lead to dangerous clotting in arteries and veins, problems for a developing fetus and pregnancy miscarriage. People with this disorder may otherwise be healthy, or they also may suffer from an underlying disease, most frequently systemic lupus erythematosus. Learn more…
“Sometimes you will be in control of your illness and other times you’ll sink into despair, and that’s OK! Freak out, forgive yourself, and try again tomorrow.”
— Kelly Hemingway
SLE Reality 