My name is Nikki, since I was a little girl I have been sick, it mostly started when I was 4 years old. It took Doctors 7 years to figure out why I was always sick and hurting, especially if I had been exposed to the sun for too long.
A week after my 11th birthday I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus, fibromyalgia, DJD and few others.
I have always been a positive, easy going person, even throughout all my hospital stays, fatigue and severe pain. Strength and laughter have gotten me through a lot. I have an incredible family that has been through it all with me.
I will be 32 years old in April and I am thankful everyday. My husband and sons are amazing all the time, even more so when I cannot walk or move due to the pain from these awful diseases. I stay educated when it comes to this horrible crap! I know my body and though it took me a very long time I listen to it when it says “hey lady enough is enough!” I am very stubborn and have been to hell and back multiple times because of the Lupus, especially.
Since I was a small child I can remember complaining of pains in my hips and legs, but I never let it stop me. I have been walking completely bone on bone with both of my hips since the age of 21 and I have no cartilage in my lower back. My husband has seen me in agony and says he doesn’t know how I get up and walk around like I don’t have a care in the world, happy as a lark not complaining, always smiling. Truth is I have trained myself to withstand my pain (which is never under a level 8) there is simply to much beauty in this life for me to miss it! I am proud of my strength and smile, I proud of those who try and understand as much as they can so I don’t feel so alone. I will walk and walk tall until I can’t anymore, and when that day comes, if it comes I will be wheeling myself around and still thanking God for all the beauty, laughter and love he has given me in my amazing life.
Stay positive, don’t close yourself off from the beauty, talk about what and how you are feeling and stay strong because you are incredible through it all!
