“MY RELATIONSHIP WITH LUPUS”

My goal is to relocate to Northern California so that I may be close to my little sister. We found out 2 yrs ago that she has Lupus. It took me a long time to process how the strongest women I have ever known could be diagnosed with an Auto Immune Disease. She has completed 2 full marathons and 4 half marathons for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Foundation, and raised thousands of dollars. I've always been so proud of her. She is my hero! The ironic thing for me is, I donated one of my kidneys 5 yrs ago to a Special Education English Teacher for high school students in Broken Arrow, Ok. A relative of hers told me her story and how her kidneys were failing because of this disease called Lupus. How 3 times a week she would go straight from the classroom, into dialysis from 4 to 8. I had never met her before in my life, but when I ask her niece what blood type she was, I knew I was her donor the second she replied "O positive". I'm hoping my sister and I have a lot more memories to make. She has taken me to Lake Tahoe, and Yosemite for birthdays. And I would love to take her somewhere beautiful that she has never been before. We believe this planet was our gift from god. That he is the true artist. So much to see!

Thank you sincerely for letting me share. And Thank you to my little sister for being my inspiration and bestest friend Ever! Nik