Road to a Lupus Cure: Guest Column: Summer Travel Packing List for Speci...

Road to a Lupus Cure: Guest Column: Summer Travel Packing List for Speci...: by Jessica Goldman Foung When lupus attacked her kidneys, Jessica Goldman Foung, also known   as “Sodium Girl”, made significant changes t...

Love this article. It gives you hope and inspiration. These are some great tips for anyone who feels bogged down by this disease or any other. Know that it does not have to rule your life. You (can) and will go on living a full life despite what a lot of those affected (whether having it, knowing someone that has it, etc) may feel.

I truly believe it has to come from you, from the inside. If you want to beat it you have to rise above it, and thank God daily for all that he has done (and is doing) for you. Thank him for the bad days along with the good. Although we may never understand it there is a purpose for everything. I believe that even if we could see that far ahead that we would try to avoid/misstep certain things we need to go thru in order to become the people God wants us to be.

Hope this will be some help and encouragement for someone(anyone) out there!!! Remember you are loved! God bless!!!!

What's new...mmhhmmm...

Well heck..... I'm feeling better. Thank the heavens!!! After taking some time away from work my body began to piece itself back together. It has been ruff transitioning, but it could always be worse. In this short period of time I gained much wisdom. For starters I'm learning to deal with and manage day-to-day stress. This world is full of things that will have us stressed to the max if we allow it. 

Recently, I learned that when you stress there are certain hormones that are released or increase in levels. Originally our reaction to stress was meant to protect us, 'flight or fight', but when stress becomes a constant state it can create havoc in the body. When you stress your body's alarm goes off and your body goes into protective mode. In this mode your heart begins to race, which increases blood pressure, and energy levels. Although those are all great things what also happens is all the rest of your bodily functions get put on the back burner. So, your immune system gets compromised, your digestive system, reproductive system, and growth system are all suppressed . Basically, all the energy gets focused on trying to protect you in this moment of stress. This would not be so terrible if we did not stay in this mode constantly. Even after the stressor is gone we have a tendency to hold on to and drag out the event that initiated the stress response.  It is very important to learn to manage the stress in your life.

One way to start is by identifying the source of stress in your life. Be careful not to dismiss temporary/situational stress or define stress as 'just' a part of life. Try not to place responsibility on people and outside events. Remember that 'you' only have control over what 'you' choose to do. You have to take the responsibility in how you play a role in creating and managing your stress.

Secondly, it's important to find healthy ways to cope with your stress. Start by finding how you cope with stress now. Do you have unhealthy ways of coping with stress like:  smoking, over-indulge in alcohol, over/under eat, use narcotics to relax/sleep, zone out in front of tv/comp, take it out on others, or avoid friends, family, & activities.  The two main ways to cope with stress are change the situation (Avoid/Alter the stressor) and change your reaction (Adapt to/Accept the stressor). I know sometimes the ones closest to you are the source of your stress, and in this case you need to accept them for who they are. Remember you only have control over you and your actions.

If you want to develop a healthier way of coping with stress, you should adopt a healthier lifestyle (exercise, healthier diet, etc...). Also, you want to make time for fun and relaxation. Be sure to take&make time for enjoying your life, friends, and family. It is okay to say no, and if your friends, family, and coworkers cannot understand then they are not real friends or do not care about your well being.

Well, I hope this has been helpful for someone! Come back soon.

Here are a few links to resources for stress management: Stress free, Have fun, Enjoy life 

Taking My Life Back!!!

So wth!!!! I attempted to start blogging early this year, but unfortunately....it was halted. I had been dealing with some health issues since late 2011. Finally in July/August 2012 I found out I have lupus. Thank goodness I took my Florida/Bahamas vacation in May, but after that it was sort of down hill. Being the optimist I am I of course have tried to maintain a positive outlook on everything. Boy I tell you....when you in  you early 20's and used to being active and just  starting to really take hold to life...it is hard as igneous rock to stay peppy when physical limitations start hitting you.

Did I want to scream at the top of my lungs? hy! Did I want to say what the flip did I do to deserve this? hy! Did I begin to despise the people around me who 'i assumed' took there life for granted? umm...kinda!  Did I ask all mighty one up high the infamous...why me?? why...oh...why me lord??? (I know we are not suppose to ask why me...but easier said then done) Although it hasn't been years of me dealing with the disease, it sure feels like forever.

It is a hard thing to try to understand why some things happen, so I have focused on not doing so. (You'll only get upset if you do) As I look back over my life it is hard to imagine I would have to come against something like this when I have already been through so much, but then I hear that voice in the back of my head..."it has purpose even if I don't understand it." If I really take a step back and look...I'll see all the times the lord has been there with me the whole way. Because of the anger and frustration I could not see him encouraging me along the way. It may have been friendly encouragement or helpful advice that I did not have to receive, but I did!

With all that said, I am ready to get back on track and take a shot at this again!!! Let's get this party started....woot..woot...lol!!! What is life without a lot of humor

P.S. If anyone out there wants to chat or exchange info on the lupus thing feel free to inbox me. I'm open to anything that will help me and others out there dealing with this autoimmune disease.