Walk to End Lupus Now - Milwaukee 2022

Hey friends! I feel like many of you already know, but for those of you who don’t, I have Lupus. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2008 while in college. What is Lupus? Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body including skin, joints and/or internal organs. In Lupus, something goes wrong with the immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs. "Autoimmunity" means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues. As a result, it creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. For me, Lupus affects my joints, especially in my hands, wrists, knees and ankles. Another symptom that I have is Alopecia, which is the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows.

Thankfully, my Lupus has been and is currently MOSTLY mild compared to the debilitating symptoms that others endure. Last spring was the first time my lab work came back abnormal, showing that the protein levels being released from my kidneys was MUCH higher than they should be. I was referred to a nephrologist, a kidney specialist, who told me if medications did help fix the problem, he would need to do a kidney biopsy to see what was up. After months and months of steroids, new immunosuppressive medications (some with terrible side effects), many appointments and lots of lab work, my kidneys are looking much better! Although my doctors have told me I’m in the clear, I am always thinking about the endless complications that could come my way.

Another Lupus update from this last year comes in the form of a new do! After 16 years of dermatology visits, hair extensions, wearing my hair in a bun, steroid ointments, creams and foams and steroid shots to the scalp, I decided to take my Alopecia into my own hands and get a wig. I knew the day would eventually come, and although this new part of my daily routine and look have had ups and downs, I’m feeling more confident and am very much enjoying being able to comb, brush, curl, straighten, ponytail and clip up my hair.

This year is the 20th Anniversary for the Walk to End Lupus Now-Milwaukee. It will take place IN PERSON on Saturday, May 14th at Hoyt Park in Wauwatosa. If you would like to join my team and walk with me this May OR if you would like to donate to my team, you can do so by clicking the link below!

https://secure.qgiv.com/event/wteln-m2/team/896018

Any donations are truly appreciated as I work to beat my fundraising total from last year. This year’s goal is $1,500

Thank you all for the support!

Jen

Jennifer Barlow

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