The first time I heard the word lupus, I was 20 and about to have my first child. As a child I was always sick and very anemic. It wasn't until after I had both my children and over 20 that I was diagnosed with SLE and fibromyalgia. I was finally able to get proper medical care that I so needed! Everyday living with these illnesses is stressful from a constant headache to head to toe pain, and the worst of all is the extreme fatigue, some days I can barely get up out of bed. Lupus has impacted my life in many ways, from not be able to do simple task, to no longer having some of my friends. My family, my children and my fur babies are the best support team in the world to me. My health care providers at Ochsner are too. Everyday is a new day to learn something new, try something new and make a new friend. Everyday is a blessing, and through God anything is possible. Never lose faith! And in everything you do be a WARRIOR. Stay strong! Stay positive! And never give up!!!!