At age 76, my lupus was diagnosed within a week after a chest X-ray in the emergency room for pneumonia showed a 3 cm lung mass and multiple granulomas. The blood tests ordered by the pulmonologist showed a positive autoimmune marker and rare lung involvement. The rheumatologist ordered additional tests showing rare connective tissue disease and confirmed the SLE with lung involvement diagnosis.

Tests showed osteoarthritis in multiple locations. Ophthalmologist found beginnings of macular degeneration. Cardiologist found new QT-longation, Left Bundle Batch Block, and Atrial-Fibrillation. The kinds of pills went from 1 to 7, all well tolerated. Medication side effects of nausea subsided within 5 weeks—a long five weeks! An Apple Watch helps manage medications and occasional symptoms. I immediately engaged with Lupus Foundation of America online tools and resources. High confidence in my doctors, medications, and reduced fatigue give me hope of a healthy 20 more years.