Life with Madame LuLu

True Life: I have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis. Follow me through my journey with Madame LuLu, and the physical, emotional and social challenges that come along with her.

[lifewithmadamelulu]

2nd annual It’s a Girl Thing conference! Buy a ticket for your niece, daughter, goddaughter, mentee. It’s a day of fun, valuable info, and the beginning of lasting relationships. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/its-a-girl-thing-2nd-annual-conference-tickets-59646860365?aff=ebdshpsearchautocomplete #itsagirlthing #thatssogirly #girlsruntheworld #girlsarethefuture #sparkleandinspire https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw7MSP9n1XRvMiZcxl1hfwWMDB7ak-A7O7EHps0/?igshid=1mrwgd6uzouv2

[lifewithmadamelulu]

#carielcoates #freestyle in downtown silver spring. Early evening treasures. @cariel_music https://www.instagram.com/p/BnKLx1Yh75gYu6hEZF5N9vmAJ6ilr8wmfAqOnk0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rrb4d89x0rom

[lifewithmadamelulu]

After a CHALLENGING (whooo child) summer teaching ELA to 28 of the finest, failing, and failed DCPCS elementary students, a summer that STRETCHED my resolve to educate and to do so creatively, followed by a sale at my favorite crafts store, I was inspired to make my 9th grade tech classroom a little brighter and more joyful. I’m sooooo excited about my board accessories. It looks excessive, but I have A LOT of boards. Now my classroom decor will match the creativity of my lessons 😁. The last two years home have been an extended lesson in love, creativity, flexibility, discernment, independence, interdependence, loss, gains, focus, faith, and blooming where I’m planted. I’m happy to be blossoming in a career path I recognize as my calling, and to be excited about year two at my job! If you know me, you know that’s HUGE lol. My health is stable and my mama is WELL! And again, if you know me, you know those two things happening at the same time is HUGE. I feel like I’m coming back to, and growing into, myself, and it feels phenomenal. Also, #awkwardmoment it feels weird sharing this under a picture of my classroom supplies, but it’s relevant. I’m happy to share. Special shout to God being ever present, my helpful, forgiving, and loving friends and family, and the man I called my best friend when I was 14 being right by my side at 30. God always knows what he’s doing. #gratefulpost #Godisgood #urbaneducator #lovelovelove #michaelshadahugesale #friendsandfamilymaketheworldgoround https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl80R-ZBr5c0hxL_UrG2OQXBbZulr_TKqPV1To0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=grblf5g0e7tx

[lifewithmadamelulu]

Morning tunes courtesy of DJ Wess. Happy 26 Mama Liberia! https://m.soundcloud.com/wildwess24/my-26 #liberianindependence #my26onyouoh https://www.instagram.com/p/BlsfHk3BAjuTj_N3chyyik26PJHKnwX85ANg-40/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jwwyr2mnztmp

[lifewithmadamelulu]

Praise God for reliable insurance and understanding places of employment. As a teacher, I receive 12 discretionary days, in addition to the 3 weeks of vacation for winter and spring break. I’ve taken 8 so far. At first, I felt bad for leaving my kids. My supervisor, and my support system, reminded me that my kids do need me, healthy and happy. Lupus and life can be tough to balance, but God has granted me much grace, love and support to live well. https://resources.lupus.org/entry/facts-and-statistics #lifewithmadamelulu #lupusawarenessmonth #farreaching #lupuswarrior💜 #lupusfactfriday #blessed💜

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Oh yeah! #lupusawarenessmonth #worldlupusday #lifewithmadamelulu #💜

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“The Great Imitator” #lupusawarenessmonth #lifewithmadamelulu #worldlupusday #💜💜💜

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World Lupus Day! #lupusawarenessmonth #worldlupusday #lupusaffectsusall

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Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can impact any organ in the body. Autoimmunity means that the immune system can’t tell the difference between healthy tissues and foreign tissues, so it produces antibodies that attack healthy tissues. Inflammation. Pain. Damage. Lupus impacts an estimated 1.5 million in America and 5 million in the world. #lupusawarenessmonth #lupuswarrior💜 #lifewithmadamelulu #lupusfactfriday

[lifewithmadamelulu]

My sisters. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Love them! Happy thanksgiving! #relationshipgoals #22years

[lifewithmadamelulu]

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Words of encouragement from a funny movie. Enjoy. #keepswimming

[lifewithmadamelulu]

Someone who gets it! QUICK, easy to make recipes, with tips for fighting inflammation, calming flares, and improving bone and heart health. It's perfect for those of us who struggle with fatigue even on a good day. #lupushealth #lupushealing #madamelulu #healthiswealth #healthylifestyle #healthyeating #birthdaypresent

[lifewithmadamelulu]

I've never subscribed to the idea that you sleep when you die. When you don't sleep for a sustained period for the sake of "the grind," or because that's the nature of your responsibilities, you get sick, and then you die. That was dramatic; you probably won't die, but you will likely become physically and mentally sick. Madame Lulu has taught me the importance of rest for recharging the mind and body. She has taught me how to say no. Though I still struggle with the desire to always show up for people, or fulfill the multitude of goals I, and my family, have for myself, I have learned to consider my health and make decisions accordingly. Madame Lulu will always be a part of me, even when I'm fully in remission. Though she's not the best body-mate, she keeps me in check and encourages me to be the best Erica Bianca Monkonjay Doe I can be. My prayer is that by sharing my story, the strength, hope, love, courage, and slayage (check urban dictionary) I exude, because of and in spite of lupus, will encourage you to be your healthiest self and share your magic with the masses. Peace my people. #lupusawarenessmonth #madamelulu #Godislove #godbeknowin #restandrestore #healthiswealth

[lifewithmadamelulu]

"I have lupus." ~E. Doe Common reactions: "I'm so sorry to hear that." "Oh wow, I would never know." "You're so strong." "Pray for God to heal you." "You know if you, 'fill in the blank,' (eat a plant based diet, eat a paleo diet, drink this noni juice, drink alkaline water, stand on your head and drink lemongrass juice in Rock Creek Park) your Lupus will go into remission." A new one: "Bless your heart." My favorite: "God is going to use you to do powerful things" - all while I'm crying my eyes out in my freshman dorm. Thank God for my suite mate Laura sharing those wise words, one brave 18-year-old to another. #madamelulu #lupusawarenessmonth #Godislove

[lifewithmadamelulu]

But sometimes, it is. Madame Lulu is often called "the great imitator" because she mimics so many other illnesses. After many, many tests, two doctors told me I had rheumatoid arthritis, even though my rheumatoid factor kept coming back negative. It took a third doctor, more tests, and multiple comparisons, to achieve a proper diagnosis. My story is a blessing; it only took 5 months to figure it out. Others struggle for years with no treatment, before a lightbulb goes off in the doctor's head. It takes a combination of lab tests and symptom expression to diagnose lupus. Check out the site for a quick breakdown of common lab tests used to suss out Madame Lulu. http://resources.lupus.org/entry/lab-tests @lupusorg #lupusawarenessmonth #madamelulu #lupuseducation #pretender