I'm back... with great news!

March 6, 2004

Dear Lupies,

I don't know if any of you will remember me, as I have not been

actively responding to posts during the last few months. My name is

, I'm 23 and was diagnosed with lupus nephritis 4 months ago,

& began chemo (cyclo IV) right away. That's when I joined the group

in search for info & support, both of which I received plenty.

Since I last frequented this group, I have been getting more & more

ill. Lupus was attacking more of my organs & with greater severity

than ever. The chemo didn't seem to be working at all & the side-

effects of chemo didn't seem to be worth going through with it. I

became more & more depressed & my doctors didn't have a very

reassuring prognosis for me, which made me feel even worse. Lupus

was winning the battle, & I stopped fighting.

But then a wonderful thing happened... I woke up one day, feeling

refreshed & pain-free! I couldn't believe it; I thought I was

dreaming, so I didn't get my hopes up because I knew it would be

back. But a few days later, when I realized that I had not yet felt

pain, I was overwhelmed with emotion and began to cry the happiest

tears of my life! I didn't realize what the pain was doing to me

until it was gone. So the chemo must be working! I FEEL WONDERFUL!

I don't mean to gloat because I know that many of you are in

constant pain and discomfort, and I feel for you bcuz I know what

it's like. Instead, I'd like to send hope to those of you who feel

low and feel like giving up: Just hang in there, and keep on

fighting because you never know when, like me, you'll wake up one

day and be PAIN-FREE!

Thanks again for the support you have given me. I hope to visit

this group more often now that I am feeling better.

Even though I haven't met many of you, my thoughts and prayers are

with each and every one of you as you face the daily hassles of

living with the wolf.

Love,

March 7, 2004

Hey, , That IS great news, honey. I'm so happy for you, and wish the same for the rest of

us. Keep in touch. Loving hugs, MM

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