Isabella M. - Diagnosed at age 11
My name is Isabella (Bella). I am 23 years old, a daughter, sister, aunt, registered nurse, lupus advocate, and, above all, a child of God. In February 2014, I was an 11-year-old girl whose life changed forever. What began as swollen lymph nodes during a routine pediatric visit led to appointments, specialists, and a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). I was also diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. While others worried about friendships, I was learning about medications, infusions, hospital visits, and pain.
The hardest part wasn’t always physical. Sometimes it was grieving the childhood I imagined, smiling through exhaustion, and fighting battles no one else could see. Even now, at 23, lupus remains part of my journey. Despite seasons of remission, immune complications, recurrent infections, and immunoglobulin infusions have brought new challenges. Some days I grow weary of appointments and treatments. I love my life, but that doesn’t mean every part of this journey has been easy.
Through it all, my faith in Jesus Christ has sustained me. I’ve cried, questioned God, and wondered why this became my story. Yet, I’ve witnessed His faithfulness repeatedly. He never promised a life without suffering, but He has reminded me that I never walk alone. Today, I am a Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate and a labor and delivery Registered Nurse. I remember the little girl lying in a hospital bed, looking to her nurses for comfort. Now, by God’s grace, I get to offer comfort to others. The little girl who once needed someone to hold her hand has become the nurse holding the hands of mamas. What a blessing.
Lupus has taken things from me, but it has also taught me compassion, resilience, and advocacy. I share my story for the young person wondering whether life can still be beautiful after a diagnosis. It can.
Your diagnosis does not determine your destiny. You can have difficult days and still be strong. You can grieve what you’ve lost and embrace purpose. I haven’t overcome every obstacle. I’m still learning, healing, and trusting God in the unknown. Lupus is part of my testimony, but it will never define my identity. God is still writing my story. I may not have chosen lupus, but I choose faith, love, service, and purpose.
By His grace, I’m not just surviving. I’m living. And what a blessing it is to still be here.