Providing Answers, Support and Hope in Georgia

Thirty-One Faces of Hope: Adrienne Allende

The lupus community includes people living with lupus, friends, family and supporters across Georgia. For Lupus Awareness Month, we would like to highlight some of our lupus heroes and champions. 

Adrienne Allende

I was diagnosed with lupus in 2006 at 31. I had an ear infection and I went to the ER. I was given an antibiotic shot and the last thing I remember was being in the discharge office.

After being unconscious, 8 hours later I was told that I had lupus and that my kidneys had failed. I stayed in the hospital for 7 weeks. The 2nd week they put me on Cytoxan (chemotherapy) to slow down my immune system. The 3rd week my platelet count dropped and I was given a blood transfusion. My heart stopped and I was clinically dead.

I was told that with all the issues I had from the lupus, kidney, heart, liver and lung problems I had about 5 years left in me.

I was also told that I could not have any more children. 13 years later I have a healthy 9 year old and I'm still out here making it.... because I'm a survivor AND a warrior.

- Adrienne Allende