Lupus

Disease or Carnivore?

Everyday people, living everyday lives - that is, until they are attacked by the "wolf"...

Prowling, like a sly fox, it can go undetected for what may seem like a lifetime. Its presence may be know soon after you become a prey, or it may not be detected until it is too late. No, I am not refurring to the Canis lupus, or wolf, but to Lupus, an autoimmune disease. This carnivore like disease effects thousands of Americans every year.

A Little About Me
My name is Patricia, but my friends call me Peanut because of my height. I am 25 years old and live in Savannah, Georgia. I was born in Panama City, Flordia, moved to Georgia when I was 6, and have been here ever since. I currently work with disabled children and create websites for local businesses. I am also helping my dad with a program which helps create artificial marine habitats along the coast and I am studying speech pathology. I like to write poetry, hang with my friends, help in church activites, create Lupus awareness, and I am really into photography.

I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE or Lupus) at the age of 10. Because of it every system in my body has suffered, but I do not let that keep me from doing the things I love to do. I live each day to the fullest and I enjoy life the way it is. I have always said, "Live each day like there is no tomorrow." So go out and live your life with a smile and not a complaint, because we all know 'Life's not fair' - deal with it...

Please visit the Guestbook at the bottom of this page.

What is Lupus?
-Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease which causes inflammation of various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints (arthritis), blood, and kidneys (lupus nephritis). It can also have a major effect on your heart, lungs, and brain. With Lupus, the immune system loses the ability to tell the difference between forgein substances and its own cells and tissues. The immune system then makes antibodies against "self," which can cause problems such as inflammation, injury to tissues, and pain.
-More people have lupus than AIDS, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, sickle-cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis combined.
-Lupus effects 8 times as many women as men.
-The three most familiar types of Lupus are: Discoid Lupus Erythematosus (DLE), Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and Drug-Induced Lupus (DILE). Visit Defining Lupus to find out more about these types of Lupus and also about Neonatal Lupus.

**This information and much more like it can be found at Symptoms of Lupus. This is an excellent place for people that are new to Lupus. This site explains everything from thedefinition of Lupus, to the sypmtoms, to treatment.**

**Visit the Lupus Foundation of America to find information about Lupus, support groups, and research.**

Interesting facts of the Day
~Today is Tuesday, 6 June 2004.

~This month's birthstone is the Sapphire.: Sapphire, soothing, sensuous blue, beloved for centuries as the ultimate blue stone. Sapphire, unbeknownst to many is a magnificently versatile gemstone with color diversity so remarkable including such colors as yellows, oranges, vivid pinks, lavenders and soothing greens, a veritable rainbow of colors.

~This month's flower is the .

~The Zodiac sign for May 2 through June 21 is .

The Zodiac gem for . ~April 1st is National Lupus Alert Day.

~The word Lupus is Latin for wolf.

~Most sources say that Lupus got its name from the characteristic rash on the face, which people with Lupus get, resembles the markings on the face of a wolf.

~Another name for the rash Lupus patients get is the Butterfly rash.

~Lupus, "The Disease with 1,000 Faces," can mask itself and appear to be another illness often making it hard to diagnose.

~The constellation of the wolf is called Lupus.

Links to other sites on the Web

Lupus Home Page
Skin Disease in Lupus
Pregnancy in Lupus
Illness Support Groups
Lupus Awareness Buttons

ABOUT THE ABOVE WEBSITES

Lupus Home Page: This site has a variety of information. You can also find a Lupus Message Board here, where you can post any questions you may have. Just click USENET once you are at this site.
Skin Disease in Lupus: This is an excellent place for people with Discoid Lupus to learn more about possible skin problems, though people with another type of Lupus should not over look this site.
Pregnancy in Lupus: This site is a good place for any Lupus patient considering to having a child. You can also find out more about Noenatal Lupus here.
Illness Support Groups: This site has a list of over 200 support groups for various illnesses and other health concerns.
Lupus Awareness Buttons: Here you can order Lupus awareness items such as buttons, shirts, key chains, and much, much more.

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