My Lupus Story
“The lady her lupus and her Lord”
“The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust him”
(Nahum 1:7 Amplified)
“For He will give His angels (especial) charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways (of obedience and service. They will bear you up in their hands lest you dash your foot against a stone.
(Psalm 91: 11-12 Amplified bible)
Dashing or hitting your foot on any piece of rock/stone can be excruciatingly painful to say the least. Many of us may remember knocking out feet against rocks in the sea or on the pavement or having a pebble boomerang and hit you as you tried to pelt a particular object. It is painful!
In November 1998 I dashed and bruised more than my feet as I fell down a flight of concrete/stone steps at my workplace. There were no broken bones but this fall would lead to a new series of life altering experiences. I was so happy to be walking and moving about after I fell that I resisted going to go to the hospital and continued my teaching duties after the initial pain wore off.
Within a couple days, however, a lump appeared on my right leg which was very painful and the dizzy spells began. Some weeks later, strange lesions began appearing on my skin and the pain was becoming more excruciating. Hospital x-rays confirmed a haematoma on my right leg severe internal bruising,
The dizzy spells continued, with me collapsing on a number of occasions while teaching, suffering from constant fatigue, blotchy eyes, ear, nose and throat infections. After a year and a half of testing for every disease known to man, a miscarriage, unexplained infections and blood results I was finally diagnosed with systemic and discoid Lupus Feb 2000.
For someone who grew up having an active life of community service, the adjustments to this reality were excruciating, and many more stones were to come. God has been my stronghold and strength through my troubles; He has given His angels special charge over me and over all of us who go to Him for refuge.
I know who my true and genuine friends are. I agree with Martin Luther King Jr “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”.
I am content; I have no enemies and seek to live peaceably with all men.
Forgiveness like praise is wonderful healer
I must keep calm and carry on!
The letters of my condition have become the songs which strengthen me as I praise God each day.
S= Still I rise never to give in against all odds
Y= Yield not to temptation
S= Standing on the promises
T= Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
E= Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before
M= My Jesus as Thou wilt O may my will be Thine
I= I sing the mighty power of God
C= Calm me God and keep me clam
D= Draw me nearer
I= I have a Friend so precious so very dear to me
S= Sweet Jesus, sweet Jesus what a wonder you are.
C= Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee
O= O for a closer walk with God
I= I need thee every hour
D= Dream on
L- Love Lifted me
U- Until then my heart will go on singing.
P- Peace perfect peace” the love of Jesus whispers peace within”
U- Under His wings I am safely abiding.
S- Safe in the arms of Jesus sweetly my soul doth rest.
