Hi, My name is Karen Tuttle and I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus almost 15 years ago. During that time, I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Sjogren's Syndrome, Vasculitis, and Hydradnitis. These diseases make my life very challenging. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband, Steve. He is usually very understanding, but sometimes he gets frustrated. I guess that is to be expected. I'm sure that living with a chronically- ill person can be very trying at times; it takes its toll on the entire family and children are no exception. My son, Justin has lived the majority of his life with a sick mom. He has always been a good child and kept his grades up in school. Though he doesn't say much about it, I know he doesn't really understand the severity of my illness. Through the years, I could feel his resentment when I could not go places with him and do things that other parents did. He is now 17 year old and we recently had an "unexpected" grandbaby. For now, Justin, our daughter-in-law Hollie, and our beautiful grand baby Anthony, all live with us. Stress is a primary trigger for systemic illnesses, sometimes causing severe flares. Stress is quite common around our house, with Justin, Hollie, and the baby living with my husband and I. These common stresses of daily life can be damaging to lupus patients, but combined with the added struggles many of us face due to this disease, the long-range effects can sometimes be detrimental. When I was first diagnosed, we lost everything we owned, down to our house. We were forced to file bankrupcy and start all over. My husband now has a job which provides us with health insurance, and only other chronically-ill people know how important this is. However, with the way Health Insurance companies have changed recently, many people with Lupus continue to have financial burdens as their inurance providers limit their choice of phyicians, medications, and lab tests. All these things add to the severity of not only our illness, but also the already-present stresses on the family as a whole.
My name is Karen Tuttle and I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus almost 15 years ago. During that time, I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Sjogren's Syndrome, Vasculitis, and Hydradnitis. These diseases make my life very challenging. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband, Steve. He is usually very understanding, but sometimes he gets frustrated. I guess that is to be expected. I'm sure that living with a chronically- ill person can be very trying at times; it takes its toll on the entire family and children are no exception. My son, Justin has lived the majority of his life with a sick mom. He has always been a good child and kept his grades up in school. Though he doesn't say much about it, I know he doesn't really understand the severity of my illness. Through the years, I could feel his resentment when I could not go places with him and do things that other parents did.
He is now 17 year old and we recently had an "unexpected" grandbaby. For now, Justin, our daughter-in-law Hollie, and our beautiful grand baby Anthony, all live with us. Stress is a primary trigger for systemic illnesses, sometimes causing severe flares. Stress is quite common around our house, with Justin, Hollie, and the baby living with my husband and I. These common stresses of daily life can be damaging to lupus patients, but combined with the added struggles many of us face due to this disease, the long-range effects can sometimes be detrimental.
When I was first diagnosed, we lost everything we owned, down to our house. We were forced to file bankrupcy and start all over. My husband now has a job which provides us with health insurance, and only other chronically-ill people know how important this is. However, with the way Health Insurance companies have changed recently, many people with Lupus continue to have financial burdens as their inurance providers limit their choice of phyicians, medications, and lab tests. All these things add to the severity of not only our illness, but also the already-present stresses on the family as a whole.
We who have lupus live much of our lives confined to our homes due to the disabling fatigue, weakness, and constant pain. Many of us become emotionally isolated as well, without support or understanding from friends and family members. As a result, we face struggles with depression and feelings of uselessness, unless we can find something which affords us a sense of connection to life. When my husband bought me a computer, the internet became my life-line to sanity and gives me comfort. I found so many people just like me who have all become my dear friends. I know I can always count on them to help me with a problem, be it the illness or family difficulties. It's such a comfort knowing I always have a friend just an e-mail away that will talk me through my trying times. I wish I could meet each of them in person.
I am also very blessed to have two wonderful, supportive friends close by who have helped Steve and I more than I could ever repay. My friend Beth, who also has lupus, is the one I admire probably more than anyone. She is always there to listen to me when I have a problem and her husband, Keith, has also helped my husband, as a fellow care-giver. Keith has helped Steve understand that he is not the only one going through this and that he is not alone. When the stress and uncertainty get to be too much for Steve, he knows he can call or e-mail Keith and he will talk him through it. In May of 1998, Beth and Keith were truly Steve's salvation.
I was hospitalized with severe infectious pneumonia which wasn't responding to any treatment. It looked as though I was going to die. These two, precious friends of ours carried Steve through this frightening time. They helped keep his spirits up, giving him the strength to make it through all the stress and uncertainties. I know he was very tired, as well as concerned about my recovery, having to work all day and then come to the hospital, which is an hour and a half drive from our house. But just having Keith and Beth's understanding, support, and friendship helped him be able to take care of all the responsibilities while also being my comfort and support. That's why these two friends of ours are so dear to me, and they could never be replaced. I love you guys!
[ Living Room] [ Kitchen] [ Holiday Suite ]
[ Den] [ Sarah's Photo Album ] [ Wood Shop Designs ]
[ Bathroom ] [ Bedroom ] [ Personal Lupus Story ] [ Closet ] [ Top Shelf ]
[ Library] [ Patio ] [ Crafting Shed] [ Background Boutique ]
[ Lupus Survey ] [ Lupus Stories 1 ] [ Lupus Stories 2 ]
[ Lupus Stories 3 ] [ Lupus Stories 4 ] [ Lupus Stories 5 ]
[ Multiple Sclerosis Links ] [ MS Information Center ] [ Win An Award ]
