Laughter IS the best medicine. For many of us lupies, a lot of the time, you’ve just gotta laugh or you’d cry. I mean…. what kind of word is ‘LUPUS’ anyway. When I was first diagnosed, one of my friends said ‘trust you to get a disease called lupus‘ (insinuating that I am a little on the loopy side already). For some comic relief on the LUPIE side, check out the new blog CHRONICLYsILLY by Kimberly Ann Possible. Kimberly juxtaposes her real life experiences of living with lupus with a comedic approach incorporating the likes of Dr. Seuss into her blogs. 

I absolutely relate to todays post ‘one pill, two pill, red pill, blue pill… what a lot of pills there are’! My morning routine consists of getting up, emptying my plethora of pills onto the bench, taking them with a cup of juice  (no I cannot take them with water – I gag) and then having my breakfast. If I don’t have my pills by a certain time, I start feeling quite nauseous and light headed (this is accompanied by me wearing my cranky pants until I have my pills).  

While I never envisioned myself having a chronic illness (or a collection of them), I have learned a great deal from trying to live a life with Lupus and the seemingly never-ending complications that come along with it”.

Adding a cup of whimsy into what is often a turmultuous mix of emotion can be theraputic and in my opinion ESSENTIAL. Bravo Kimberly – keep up the great work! Check out CRONICLYsILLY’s website: http://chroniclysilly.blogspot.com/   you can also find Kimberly on face book.

Geoff Thomas rode across America in 2007 to raise lupus awareness. Geoff publishes the monthly online lupus magazine http://www.thelupusmagazine.com/

This week, Lupus Qld member Gail Falconer was interviewed on ABC radio on the program Conversations with Richard Fidler. Gail talked about her personal journey from diagnosis 7 years ago, her turmultuous period between June 2007 to February 2009 and her current perspectives and quality of life .

With the intention of educating the wider community about lupus and encouraging those affected by the disease to seek support, Gail’s interview has brought many people to our website and helped others understand what it is to live with a chronic autoimmune disease on a daily basis.

Gail’s Univeristy peers, Rebecca Drury and Matthew Deady accompanied her to the interview for moral support, for which she is sincerely greatful as she was feeling anxious to meet the former Doug Anthony Allstar. The three University student’s are involved in a student society.  Earlier this year they organised a donation day for the local organisation ‘Metro Community Care’ . The students of Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus donated canned food items, warm clothing and blankets to the homeless community of inner city Brisbane.

Gail’s interview with Richard Fidler can be listened to on the ABC webiste or via mp3 download also available on the site:  http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/06/22/2933781.htm?site=brisbane&microsite=conversations&section=latest

The Queensland Government has introduced a new electricity concession to assist low-income Queenslanders who have specific medical conditions to meet the electricity costs they incur through frequent operation of an air-conditioner to regulate their body temperature. If your lupus is affected by hot or cold conditions, take a look at the PDF provided below to see if you are eligible and then contact your doctor.

For more information about the scheme, visit: http://www.communityservices.qld.gov.au/community/concessions/brochure/stategovt/medical.html

View the PDF file:  concession_scheme

Raise LUPUS awareness this May 10th by wearing something ORANGE!

If you don’t like the colour, just eat one instead.

Published monthly with frequent news updates, this magazine has been established as we search worldwide for a cure for lupus.  It’s a place where you can learn about the latest lupus news from around the globe.

We hope to offer a fresh and informative approach to relaying lupus news.  If you represent a lupus organization and would like to promote your activities, please feel free to contact us.  We also accept lupus news that may be of interest to many of our readers.

 One of the major reasons this website was established was to encourage people affected by lupus to display their creative side.  So we welcome submissions for up-beat magazine style articles.Please take a look around our new site and we look forward to reading your feedback on our letters page.  

  http://www.thelupusmagazine.com/index.html

March 12 2010
Here I am about to set off for Thailand again..I must be nuts, I have Lupus, Heart Disease, and diffculty keeping my balance at the best of times..

Travel Insurance – Check..suprisingly enough Travel Insurance Direct were more concerned with my heart problems than my Lupus, whereas I was concerned for any Lupus Nasties my Little Butterfly might throw me!!
However, Insurance is bought and paid for, and the only thing they won’t cover is my recently broken wrist. I have gone up an age group since last time…grrr…so a higher premium of $150. However it was still cheaper than RACQ. I did declare all my Lupus-y things..neuropathy, RA etc.

Packing – check. Took as little as possible, 9. 5kg….but had heaps of carryon in my backpack as all my drugs have to be carried in personal luggage, along with a letter from my doctor siating pharmaceutical names for same and confirming they are required for my own use. Note to Lupies….Steroids are a prohibited import so you WILL need this letter.. You must carry your medications in their original boxes and packaging so it’s quite bulky.

Check anywhere you travel for vaccinations required and the Malaria Risk!!!! Bangkok and Chiang Mai are in protection category 4 which means cover up after sunset and use repellant. Those of you already on anti malarials are laughing. We carried a small pump spray of Off and a roll-on of Aerogard everywhere. Also check the travel advisories and register with Dept of Foreign Affairs before you go.

11 hours to Bangkok, then a 1 hour stopover before getting to Chiang Mai. I am taking my own soft fillled peanut neck pillow. Blow up ones suck majorly!!!! On top of everything else it is not so much more to stuff in the backpack and means I also have the airline pillow to help make me more comfortable. I put the plane pillow in the small of my back or under my feet. Always, always travel with at least a dozen packs of travel tissues,<used later and OFTEN> handy for lots of stuff. And a small vaseline ….for my nose.. …the plane plays havoc with my sinuses. Gels, liquids, lip glosses and anything you carry on board must be less than 100gm/ml and all packed in a large clear Ziploc bag. I pack my meds in another one..makes it easier to pull them out if customs asks to see them.

Pack all toiletries in suitcases in Ziploc Bags too..saved my butt on many occasions..especially when the Betadine leaked!!! For first aid I take Betadine liquid, 6 bandaids, small roll of adhesive cloth tape, a 5 pack of gauze swabs and a pack of Zergic..great for sinus and sneezes. I also take a half foil of Lomotil , and a genereric Analgesic/calmative. AND Hand Wash………….of the waterless variety. If you need more than that you need a DOCTOR!!!!!!

Don’t bother with shampoo, etc, buy it there …7/11’s are everywhere and your first port of calll when you arrive anyway to buy munchies and alcohol..Its fun trying to work out whats what..
Hint Hint DOVE produsts all look the same in Thailand.

To read more about Annie’s trip to Thailand, visit our face book fan page by clicking th face book icon.

Lupus Associaiton Queensland invites you to come along and join us for an Easter get together by the beach on the Gold Coast.

Date: Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Time: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Northcliffe Surf Club
Street: Cnr Garfield Terrace & Thornton Street
City/Town: Surfers Paradise, Australia

There will be people driving down from Brisbane, so check out the face book invite and leave a message if you want to car pool. Looking forward to meeting lots of new people!

Suzanne Ferschl is a proud 39 years young and resides in Adelaide, South Australia.
Her life long dream has been to write a book forwarding on her personal journal of life experience and knowledge gained from living with chronic illness(s) for the past 25 years.

She has experienced an unnaturally high number of obstacles blocking her life’s path.
Some of those obstacles are: Lupus (SLE), Kidney Failure, Dialysis and Transplantation, IVF, Cancer scares, Depression, Addiction, Amputations and more.Her story is so unbelievable many will consider it fictional, but it is real story of heroism of the most basic kind.

This is an informative and comprehensive account that is honest, soul bearing and bursting with raw emotion highlighting the unpredictability and fragility of life.This positive story is laced with humour and set to inspire, motivate and empower people from all backgrounds.

To order a copy of Suzanne’s book ‘Lupus Intus’ follow this link: http://www.lupusintus.com/index.html