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 L’Mekka Edwards
As I sit in silence, I hear so many thoughts. What did I do? Who did I hurt? Is this Karma. Why me? When will this be over? Why I can’t get over this? How did I get here? Is this my new life!
Living with Lupus has been a thorn in my side since 2008 attacking my SKIN. Facebook has these memories that pop up and it shows me saying how Lupus affected me around the same time year after year. Am I the reason? Am I harming myself? What can I do different? I have always wanted to be a Police Officer. I finally took the test in 2004. 2005 I couldn’t start because I had my spleen removed. I gave up. I was working and being a mom.
My good friend suggested I try again. In March 2011, I became a Correctional Officer for Cook County. I was proud of myself, the pain I endured, the money I spent, the time I invested. I had no family support. I had to rely on God and a few friends to help me with my sons.
My health reared again, and I developed more auto immune problems, but I continued to try to get better. I got into fitness again became a Personal Trainer opened up my own gym in 2014. 2016 I made another milestone by finally becoming a Police Officer. After losing family members, miscarriages, being attacked at work, marriage failing I made it through all of this. I was in the best shape of my life. My personal life sucks but my professional life was amazing.
2016 I developed HEART problems and had to wear a heart monitor a month before I started the Police Academy. I refused to let that stop me. October 2017, I kept falling down. Hospitalized.
Lupus attacking my BRAIN. March 2018 my squad car was rear- ended. Hospitalized. I injured my left leg developed DVT and PE. Blood clot in left leg and one on each LUNG. April 2018 hospitalized Lupus attack my KIDNEYS. Category II and IV Lupus Nephritis. My son graduated from High school and went off to College. August 2018, I sprained my ankle in 3 places. I was off work from March until October 2018 with no income.
God helped me survive. November, twice in December 2018 Lupus attacks my EYES, twice in January 2019 and February I was in the hospital because Lupus attacked my Kidneys, eyes and lungs. I was off work again from January until May 2019 with no income, but God is keeping me.
In 2019 was hospitalized every month except April and July. I am more focused on what I am eating that is causing my Lupus flare and how I can live my best life.
I turned 40 in 2019 on January 26 and I promised myself I was going to do 40 new things that year and I did.
On March 7th 2019 I became a member of the First Lupus Sorority – Lambda Sigma Sigma Lupus Sorority, Inc. Founded by LaCasha Lee in Chicago on August 13, 2018.
Lupus will not win.
I walk for myself.
I walk for awareness.
I walk for health.
I walk for you.
This girl treks.
Next time join me.
Help Me find a cure for Lupus.
Lupus In Color is excited to present L’Mekka Edwards’ 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 L’Mekka Edwards . 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 L’Mekka Edwards’ FLIGHT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND START HER BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#LupusInColor #ButterfliesofHope #FlightoftheButterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #SpreadLupusAwareness
