This is the first post for the Wolf and Me. So I thought I would introduce myself....I'm Cass and I have Lupus. (That is the strangest statement I have ever written)
Yes that's right, I am a young woman who lives with an incurable disease everyday and I am proud of that! I am not saying I want it...that couldn't be farther from the truth....what I am saying is that I have it so now I suck it up and plow through. And why the wolf? well that is simple, the wolf is a misunderstood animal, it has been through some of the hardest times as a species and people live in fear of them. The flip side is that the wolf is a symbol of strength and endurance - two things I know a little something about.
So what is the purpose of this blog? Firstly it is not going to be a depressing look at my life - there is nothing to be depressed about - I am up standing, I go to work, I live as I can....this blog is going to be the start (I hope) of a world wide support network for women and men everywhere to get together and discuss anything we want to about Lupus. From health worries, to a sounding board for depression, even through to asking why my fingers hurt today.........the list goes on.
Lupus is an incurable autoimmune disease. In basic terms, your body attacks itself instead of the nasties it should be tackling. It can affect any soft tissue in the body - from skin, bone, muscle and major organs. Often known as the great imitator, it can present differently from person to person. I have mainly joint and pain issues - well these are the ones that cause me the most issues - where as the Lupus fighter next to me may be in full renal failure.
We are given drugs, we are told to rest, we are even told we are making it up sometimes....I know I have. But the one thing we all share is a common strength to get up and carry on as best we can.
So here I am, ready to talk about my fight, my life and raise awareness for a disease that you cannot see on my face....well not always!
Love Cass x
