My name is Hope. I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 2013. Since then, I decided to learn more about my condition, and explore ways to feel better.
Having lupus as my companion has taught me to see life from a new angle, and appreciate my small accomplishments.
You will notice my blogs come from my heart. In each one, I share how I cope with this challenging condition, the ups, and downs of living with lupus and my path to find hope despite all odds.
Since I was diagnosed, it has been difficult to find actionable information that made me feel happier, stronger and healthier. Recognizing what my body was telling me, as well as identifying what I can control on a daily basis has been difficult. Nevertheless, these are critical steps to better cope with the muscle and joint pain, the chronic inflammation, the brain fog, and the on-going fatigue.
Adjusting my diet to avoid inflammatory ingredients helps. Therefore, I included a recipe page, where I share ideas of savory and sweet dishes that I have tested in my home kitchen. Most of them are gluten, dairy, and sugar-free.
Lastly, as I am not a doctor, nor a specialist in lupus but you will find here links to useful research information, and helpful resources from other lupus-related non-profits. Awareness is key and there is a lot yet to be understood about autoimmune disorders, the more we know, the better we fight.
I am learning every day the causes of my flares, the best way to decrease the effects and duration of my symptoms, and how to keep up with the side effects of all the strong medications I take on a daily basis.
Hopefully, you will join me in my journey, enjoy my stories on how to live better, support each other and help our community better understand this mysterious illness.
To learn more about me, click here.
Yours truly,
Hope