In honor of Yan-tee E. – Diagnosed at age 21

My name is Sonya, my daughter Yan-tee N. was diagnosed with lupus three years ago. My daughter was dating this young man I didn't like, and she started to get sick. But I really didn't know, I thought she was stressing over this young man. We were running to the hospital and doctor every week. She was in pain and wouldn't eat. It’s crazy how she went from 280 pounds to like 150 pounds. I cried every other day, asking the Lord to help us find out what was going on with her.

They kept treating her with all kinds of antibiotics. I said enough of this and went to visit my family in North Carolina. My Aunt Susie said something is not right with her, and urged us to try to get to the bottom of it. As we’re traveling back home to New Jersey, she had trouble breathing, couldn't sit still and became very aggravated. As soon as we got home, we rushed to the hospital in Livingston, New Jersey. A doctor came in the room and looked at her and saw a pigmented color in the shape of a butterfly across her nose, and said, “Oh wow! She has lupus, has anyone ever told you that??” I started to cry. He said we would have to admit her right away, fearing we would lose her, since things got so bad and no one knew what was going on with her.

Thank God we have the best doctor now and that he was able to save her life.