THE 9TH 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 John Thomas
Hello my name is John Thomas. Never done anything like this but here it goes. Sorry for being all over the place but I’ll try keep it short and simple.
I grew up as a kid loving the outdoors. As I got older around 12-14 I noticed I couldn’t be outside much without getting drained. Just thought it was my metabolism or something. I kept going like a normal person. I got my first job at little Italian kitchen and worked my way up to the GM position by 17yrs old. At this time I started getting the butterfly rash. Probably due to stress and working 80+ hours a week.
For about a year they told me it was acne and treated it with all kinds of stuff. As it got worse they did a biopsy and it came back as lupus. The Doctor literally called me on my 18th birthday while at work and told me I had 4-6 weeks to live. I totally lost it and went crazy. didn’t go back to doctor for couple years.
When things started affecting me more, I went back and got prescribed methotrexate. The doctor there almost overdosed me. He had me take 10 pills to start and OMG I thought I was dying.
In bed for 3 days. the Doctor said I needed to keep taking this medicine. so, I again didn’t go back to the doctor.
Now, I am 28 yrs old and barley can take a shower nowadays without being totally exhausted. I Can’t work more then 2-4 hours at work and I’m to the point I don’t know what to do anymore.
I do have a rheumatologist appointment for Sept set up. Just hoping I can make it till then. the past year has been a major downhill battle. Any kind of treatments that you know of or places for people with lupus I’m all open ears and ready to try anything.
I can’t keep living life like this. Thank you and God bless.
Lupus In Color is excited to present John Thomas’ story to the world. As a Lupus Warrior he is actively promoting lupus awareness and wearing the armor of strength in doing so.
Lupus In Color Salutes you John Thomas. 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 John Thomas’ FLIGHT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES AND START HER BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#LupusInColor #ButterfliesofHope #FlightoftheButterflies #Brave #Courageous #Strong #SpreadLupusAwareness #LupusWarriorStories
