Lupus erythematosus is a chronic auto immune disease that can attack all or any of the bodies organs & skin. There are about one million people in the US who have Lupus of which 90 percent are women usually in their child bearing years. Men, women, children, and new babies can also be affected but at a lower percentage.
I am Sheila French, mother of Ricky and Randy (who started Pack, Paddle, Ski) as well as Bryan and Steve (who lead trips). I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 26 years old and had just given birth to my fourth child. It took a very long time to diagnose because 45 years ago there were very few tests for it and even less medications to treat it. Even today it is difficult to diagnose. I was put on high doses of prednisone which is very damaging to the body in high quantities for the next 35-40 years. It has only been the last 8 years that my disease has been semi-controlled because I now am on anti-suppressant drugs used for cancer and liver patients. Our family life was disrupted repeatedly because of my high fevers, exhaustion, hospital stays, surgeries, swollen joints and other manifestations of the disease that kept popping up. With four children to raise when some days you cannot even get out of bed is very stressful. Today being on strong medications that also have their side effects and excellent medical care I can manage my "flares" and life is better . Years of being on high drug doses and has now given me new problems to deal with.
