Put on Purple for Lupus

On May 18th the Lupus Foundation of America is hosting a "Put on Purple for Lupus" event. The goal is to get people to wear purple to raise awareness for Lupus.


I am going to have a contest... So here are the rules:

Wear purple on the 18th and post a photo on Facebook or Twitter (Tag me! I have to see it!)

Get others to do this (Have them tag both you & me so I can keep track of who did it because of your efforts)

Get a Celebrity to wear purple and get 5 extra entries (Local celebrities count too!!)

Get your company to sponsor this event and get 3 extra entries.

If you need more information, posters or something to get the ball rolling with your comany you can email me or comment below and I will help you out. (Email: lewisdca at msn.com)
The prize is a $100 PF Changs Gift Card. So dig out that purple and join in!!
PS- Here is the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/205471922889558/ or comment below and let me know you will join us!

Frustration

I have been playing with this post in my head for a few weeks now. But this weekend really set off my frustrations.

I had made plans for the weekend, no more than a "normal" person could handle. My 9th Benlysta infusion was on Friday (a week late). I left wrok early and went home to take a nap so I was ready for what was ahead of me. That is really when my frustration hit the roof.

By Sunday I was so exhausted and in so much pain I could barely deal with it. I want to be able to live my life. I want to be able to make plans and follow through. I want to not have to worry about flaring any more.

Sunday I started a flare. My first one in months and this maybe the most discouraging one. What can I say. I haven't had one and I was proud of that. I got through Sunday doing all that was on my list (yep, pushed myself). And then Monday morning came and I WENT TO THE GYM.... what is the world was I thinking. When did I get into this I can do it all no matter what mentality?

And the real surprise... I over did it at the gym. I hurt so bad I can hardly walk (even two days later). Sitting down or standing up is the worse! I've heard the comments of "no pain, no gain", "go back to the gym and work those muscles again it will help", "if your sore stretch".

These comments drive me INSANE. My body isn't a normal body. My body doesn't heal like others. Pain is a bad thing.

Why do I do this to myself?
Why do I think that any drug will make me "normal"?
Why do I expect Benlysta to make is all go away?

The flare has died down, no rash on my face (my neck & back are not so lucky). The chest pains are lessing. But I don't know if that is because my focus is on the fact that the squats I was doing with 25# killed my legs.

Time for me to stop expecting that I will feel better. Time for me to go back to listening to my body and accepting what is dealt to me.