THE 8TH ANNUAL FLIGHT OF THE BUTTERFLIES
Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories
Flight of the Butterflies, Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories is a lupus awareness campaign sharing stories of the brave lupus warriors. Many don’t understand lupus until they hear the walk of a warrior. Flight of the Butterflies, Butterflies of Hope Warrior Stories is dedicated to sharing those stories in May for lupus awareness month.
Flight of the Butterfly Lashunda Reaves
My name is Lashunda Reaves. I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. I am a Registered nurse and I work night shift. On March 18, 2018 I was diagnosed with SLE lupus.
I have always felt tired and some pain, but I looked at it as me working the night shift and many hours. I have also had 4 miscarriages.
I have always had issues with my hair falling out and dry scalp which was being treated as eczema. One morning after working a night shift, I woke up and my right eye was completely closed, painful, and throbbing.
I immediately went to emergency room where I spent 8 hours. Finally the ophthalmologist asked if I have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease? My answer was no. She diagnosed me with uveitis. She gave me 3 eye drops and discharged me.
Fast forward, I went in to my internal medicine doctor for regular check up. I Informed her of my situation with my eye and she sent me for blood work. 16 tubes of blood first round and second round 10 tubes. The 3rd round was x-rays of every bone in my body. I was then diagnosed with SLE lupus.
I found out my father’s sister had lupus and at that time the only medicine was prednisone. I can remember her skin was flaky, scaly and would bleed when scratched.
I can say this past 2 years I have fought for my life. With the help of my husband, my children, family, and friends I will continue to fight.
I AM A WARRIOR!!!!! I HAVE LUPUS, LUPUS DOESN’T HAVE ME.
Lupus In Color is excited to present Lashunda Reaves’ story to the world. As a Lupus Warrior she is actively promoting lupus awareness and wearing the armor of strength in doing so.
Lupus In Color Salutes you Lashunda Reaves.
YOU ARE BRAVE, COURAGEOUS, AMAZING and STRONG TO SHARE YOUR STORY. YOUR BUTTERFLY WINGS ARE FLUTTERING, YOUR CHIN IS UP, YOUR ARMS ARE EXTENDED AND YOUR CHEST IS OUT! FLY ON BUTTERFLY! FLY ON!
PLEASE SHARE Lashunda Reaves’ FLIGHT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND START HER BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#LupusInColor #ButterfliesofHope #FlightoftheButterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #SpreadLupusAwareness