It Takes Heart

Football season is my favorite time of the year. On game day, I’m glued to the front of my television for hours. Some games get me so excited, I yell at the players through the television screen.

This season is wrapping up and only four teams remain. Every game played requires a win or the team goes home. Each of the remaining teams has a different style of play. Some have great technical ability and others play with their heart. I will bet on heart over stats any day. Having heart is what keeps them going when their tank is on empty. That heart drives them to do what has to be done in order to win.

Having lupus takes a lot of heart, and there is no off season or time off. You endure it all year long. Whether in a remission or a full-on flare, the disease’s next move is unpredictable. With that in mind, how can you prepare for battle? Sure you can do all the technical things necessary, like taking medications, eating right, and exercising. But lupus will defeat you mentally if you don’t also have heart.

I have endured lupus since being diagnosed in 1999. I no longer say suffered, because it implies defeat. The scars and battle wounds only tell my physical story. The mental wounds, while not seen, hurt just as much. Some days are easier to face than others. On the harder days, my heart is what gets me through, and for me that is a win.. 

Mission Accomplished: Spreading Awareness On The Mental Effects of Lupus, Remembering I Have Heart, Prepared For Battle.

Comments

[Lola]

Kirk-
It's amazing that people in our situations, disability, have found a passion. Congrats on being the number two guy at the blog. I started an online support group. If you need any help with it, email me.

[Kirk Davis]

Hi Lola. My name is Kirk. I have Lupus Nephritis, SLE, RA, Blood clots and Reynaud's among other things. I was diagnosed in 2007 and after about 2 years in the hospital, things are finally manageable. Hearing people in the background say things like, "He's a goner" and coming through 3 bouts of aspirated pneumonia, re-learning to walk 3 times and 8 months of swallow therapy because I was tube fed for over a year, has made me stronger, but I couldn't have done it without my faith. I used to be a Union Pipefitter, but was forced into a disability retirement. I found a football Blog called MileHighReport.com and started writing about mt favorite team, the Denver Broncos. Now I am the #2 guy there and having a ball. I want to start a Lupus support group here in Colorado Springs, Colorado where I live. I have participated in the Denver Lupus walk since it's inception 3 years ago and plan to do it again in May. Be strong, be blessed and never give up.