My sister was diagnosed with Lupus.

Philippines
November 8, 2009 4:57pm CST
My sister has lupus. She is a nurse and is now living in Canada. When we first learned about it, I cried. I thought she was dying. She's our youngest sibling. I heard it is a familial illness, which means it runs in the family. Anyone of us can have it too. I am so worried. Is anyone in your family afflicted with this? How does he/she cope up? Can a lupus patient still live a normal life?
3 people like this
9 responses
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
9 Nov 09
I had a friend whose daughter was diagnosed with it at the age of 18. I guess it affects everyone differently because her daughter was unable to hold a job. She was sick more then not and unfortuntely she passed away a few years ago. I believe she was in her late 40's. If I were you I would either look online to check out all that you need to know or look for books on it. I hope and pray your sister will be one of the lucky one that will be able to lead a fullfilling life.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
Oh. That is sad. Thank you for your concern. I would follow your advice. I would research more. Though my sister is a nurse, she sometimes feels hopeless. I want her to live long for her children. She is in Canada alone. Her kids are in the Philippines and her husband is in Saudi Arabia. I want them to be together and spend more time with each other.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
9 Nov 09
Oh my she is alone that is not good. She needs her family to be with her especially since she is ill. I hope you can some how get them all together. She really shouldn't be alone.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
8 Nov 09
I'm sorry to hear about this. No one in my family has it but I do know someone who has been living with it for a few years. As I understand it, the disease itself can be controlled through medication and lifestyle adjustment. Your sister can still live a normal life but she will likely experience some down days where she'll feel a bit weak or sick. This disease can be treated with proper medication. As long as she adjusts her lifestyle she'll do just fine. I'm sorry I can't offer more information other than that. Just my two cents. I hope your sister will do just fine.
• Philippines
8 Nov 09
Thank you for this. It somehow eased my fear. I had been so scared since the time I learned about her illness. I thought a normal life is impossible if one has the disease.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
9 Nov 09
You're most welcome. Don't worry so much. She's a nurse so I'm sure she will do what's in her best interests to take care of herself. I hope you and your family stays in good health.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
9 Nov 09
there is a really good canadian lupus organization that she should get in contact with. lupus is pretty invasive. i know someone with lupus and she is tired most of the time. she was a nurse but doesnt work anymore.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
Oh...She should get in touch with this organization. I know about the feeling of tiredness. My sister feels the same too but she still goes to work and I pity her. She has to do it or else she'll have to come home. She wants to take her children there so she has to sacrifice. Thanks!
@anneshirley (1516)
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
I am sorry to hear about the illness of your sister. It is the same illness that runs in my best friend's family. In fact, she is also diagnosed as a carrier of such disease and anything that might trigger it means she could have it and it might be the end for her. It is a treacherous disease because you'll never know when things will get worse and I hope it doesn't for your sister. Pray hard, I hope the disease was diagnosed early because I know it is curable if it is still in early stage. Believe in prayers and miracles, surely, God will answer our prayers if we showed Him how sincere we are with Him. God bless you and your sister always.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
Thank you very much. She was so ill when she was hospitalized the first time. That's when the doctors first diagnosed it. But according to her, her latest lab tests showed good results. I hope it will stay like that. And I believe miracles can happen too. I pray for her. I even made prayer petitions @ Pink Sisters when I came back from US.Thanks again.
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
i feel sorry that your sister is ill with this disease. though i am kind of sad to learn of this , but reading the discussion, i am glad that there is still hope for your sister. that it can't be that bad with proper lifestyle and right medication. so i guess it just needs information as to what to do so that she will not feel sick at all. i am not familiar with this disease. but i think one local celebrity has this disease but she does seem normal to me. she does not seem to suffer any disease at all. looking at her at tv she seems a very healthy person though she was diagnosed like a decade ago. so i think that it is not really the end of the world.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
Yeah, thank God, myLotters lessened my fear when I learned from them that there's nothing to worry about and that it can be managed. I was really so scared before. I am scared, too, that I may also get the disease. I got curious as to who the celebrity is, hehe.... Thanks for the response.
• China
6 Dec 09
Sorry to here that,but I don't think it will find you,just be happy and do the things you want.Everything will be OK!Smile~~
• Philippines
10 Dec 09
Thanks. I pray to God she'll be fine and that nobody else in the family gets the disease.
• United States
8 Nov 09
I am sorry about that, but know that it is not the end of the world. Get her treated as soon as possible and make absolutely sure she takes really good care of herself. It is heredity. Someone in your family has to have a gene for it somewhere. I have a cousin and a friend with Lupus, and they are both living normal lives. My cousin adopted two children and she teaches and cooks, she does the normal mom thing, and my friend with Lupus just got her degree in Philosophy and she has also had to battle Dyslexia along with having Lupus, but she did it. People with Lupus can live just like everyone else can. Sure hard, but I know that she will make it through. And I don't know if it is just me, but has anyone noticed that mostly women get Lupus? Seriously, I have yet to meet a man with Lupus. Anyway, the sooner she gets taken care of the better. She needs to get healthy first and get a routine with her medications. It will not be easy at first, it never is, but she can do it, she has to.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
I am happy to know that your cousin and friend who have this are living normal lives. I thought at first that it's a hopeless case. Now, I will be braver to face reality...that I might get it too and at least I know I can still live normally. I will be less worried for my sister now. Thanks to you. And yes, I haven't heard of any man who has it.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
9 Nov 09
Hello. I'm sorry to hear about your sister, but there is nothing to worry about really. Some years ago, people with a Lupus diagnosis only had up to 10 years to live, as the disease affects the vital organs, but these days, treatment is much better. I was diagnosed with Lupus 12 years ago. It mainly affects my lungs and bowel, and my face is sensitive to sunlight. I live in Spain, so I always wear a Factor 50 sunscreen, which allows me to spend time outdoors. I have good days and bad days, and I am unable to work, as I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well, but I have a good life. I can swim and walk, and do most of the things I did before diagnosis. I just have to listen to my body's signals and not overdo it. I'm 57, and my doctor says I am more likely to die WITH Lupus than FROM Lupus, so try not to be too concerned for your sister. Once Lupus is diagnosed, it is treatable.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
Hi Sandra. It's good to hear that you are doing ok despite the lupus. Thank you for the enlightenment. I was so scared before. Now, you made me feel that there's really nothing that huge to worry about.
@Hucheng (163)
• China
9 Nov 09
Sorry to hear about that,we were in the same situation as your family,one our closely relative got cancer months ago,now the hardest time had past, what had happened had happened,you have to face to it bravely.
• Philippines
9 Nov 09
Yes, you are right, we have to face the reality and just take care of our bodies for good health.