When pain becomes your order of the day, then you realize that your days become disordered. My diagnosis with lupus was the beginning of an end to unknown pain and a transition to many unpredictable and challenging days. It was an overwhelming switch and complete overhaul of my once active, spontaneous, and carefree life. Carefree in the sense that I did not really give much thought about what I ate, physical exercise, and my interactions. I relished all kinds of delicacies and I guess my body structure allowed me to partake of any food. I really did not bother about weight issues and I was blessed with a flat tummy even after two children. Fantastic right?

My diagnosis took almost five years. In retrospect, I realize that the disease may have found its way into my system a while back. I recall having occasional joint pains, coldness, and numbness of the fingers and toes- I always had gloves and socks in my handbag- and unexplained fatigue. I had been treated for bacterial infections, I think antibiotics knew me by name. After a series of hospital visits and being treated for numerous diseases from nerve disorders, enlarged ovaries, pneumonia to magnesium deficiency, I experienced the rash. The facial rash is the most distinctive sign of lupus. It resembles the wings of a butterfly unfolding across both cheeks. That was my turning point. Everything changed and my life went through a metamorphosis. And like a butterfly, I began to experience life in a way that I never imagined.