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It was a beautiful fall day. We had taken my son and our big yellow lab to the coast of Lake Michigan for the day. On the drive home I began to ache all over. My hands hurt so badly I couldn't use them. And this is how my journey began over 10 years ago. After bottles of over the counter pain relievers had no effect I finally gave in and went to the doctor. I was referred to a rheumatologist, an arthritis doctor? I was in my 30's and had been on a health kick for the past year. I had lost weight, was going to the gym 5 or 6 nights a week. How could I possibly have arthritis, that was an old person's disease wasn't it? My husband would simply tell me to work through the pain and I'd feel better. He had no clue.

I reluctantly made the appointment. Little did I know this would be the beginning of a life-long battle with a disease that would slowly take its toll on my body, my spirit, my marriage and my life. I also had a young son and was working full-time and involved in the community on just about every committee I could find. My life was non-stop and I liked it that way!

After test after test, I was told that while yes, I did have some mild arthritis in my hands what was really going on was something called Fibromyalgia. What in the world was that and how did I get rid of it? The doctor started a program of more medications. I waited a couple of weeks, and not only was I no better, it seemed to have gotten worse. The pain had spread through my entire body. Every joint and muscle seemed to throb and ache. I went back to the doctor. More tests, more waiting, and then finally another diagnosis. This time the doctor added Lupus to the list of things that was wrong with me. Again, I asked, what is that? That's when I was told it was something I would be living with, and possibly dying from, for years. It was an autoimmune disease. My body had basically turned against me and my immune system that usually helps keep me healthy was confused and was attacking the good cells in my body. This is what was causing the pain and soreness. We started on a regimen of treatment that included steroids, pain killers and anti-inflammatories and an anti-depressant for the depression living with chronic pain causes. Finally! Some relief. That relief was short-lived. Now, not only was I in pain, stiff all over and finding it difficult to function, I was so tired. I don't mean tired like I'd worked all day and needed to sit down, I mean tired as if I could sleep for a year. I was exhausted

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