Before my lupus diagnosis, I struggled immensely. Years of caring for my family of seven children—four chosen and three biologicals—had taken a toll on me. My second biological child had to be suctioned out during delivery because I was too exhausted to push. The stress of discovering my eldest chosen child had been sexually assaulted in foster care, and the pursuit of justice for her, added to my burden. I believe these and other stressors, combined with my pregnancy, triggered a lupus flare.
As a traditional wife, my husband was the breadwinner and offered little help at home with our children while they were infants and toddlers. At one point, while our children were school-aged, I took on the role of general contractor for our house for eighteen months. However, the overwhelming tasks proved too much for me. I was continuously exhausted, in pain, unable to sleep, and struggled to get out of bed.
For a period, I attended a wellness clinic and was prescribed large amounts of vitamins. This treatment enabled me to carry out my daily routine. However, my function-ability slowly declined after I had stopped taking the vitamins. On one of my worse days and many days that followed, my children helped each other get ready and went to school. I couldn’t prepare their lunch or make dinner or so I thought.
Later, after my children returned from school, I became aware of a small Caucasian child sitting on my bed. The child gently shook me, saying, “Wake up, mommy, wake up.” I opened my eyes and, in my dazed state, responded, “I don’t recall giving birth to you.”
The child continued, “Come on, mommy, get up. I am hungry. Come make something for me to eat.” She handed me a package of ramen noodles. I took it and she held my hand and led me to my kitchen. I made her the noodles, and as she sat and ate, I made dinner for my family.
I believe God sent that child to awaken me. Without her, I might have sunk lower and lower and died that day. Recognizing the profoundness of the situation, I sought medical help. I was in treatment for lupus for years, but the treatment did not move beyond blood test. Within weeks of this incident, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and my ANA levels were off the charts. In addition to thyroid medication, I was started on hydroxychloroquine, which I still take today. The thyroid medication has significantly improved my ability to function, and I believe combined with hydroxychloroquine, I improved.