14th Annual Flight of the Butterflies- Butterflies of Hope Lupus Warrior Stories is a powerful celebration of strength, survival, and spirit. Through the eyes and hearts of lupus warriors, we share stories that often go unseen. Stories of pain, resilience, and triumph! These butterflies may have been battered by the storm, but they continue to rise, wings open, ready to soar.Â
At Lupus In Color, we honor each journey as a flight of courage and beauty, reminding the world that even in the midst of lupus, warriors still fly.
Flight of the Butterflies
Lupus Warrior Laura Wilson
Welcome to my Lupus journey my name is Laura and I’m 37 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was diagnosed with lupus in May 2025. At that time I was really sick on and off for the past 8 months or so. I ended up in and out of different hospitals in the area I live in.
I was told my symptoms were just pneumonia or just weak muscles and my rash was probably related to me using a heated mattress pad when I slept. After countless visits to several ER’s one doctor finally saw everything differently. I was barely able to swallow and hadn’t eaten in a few days. He immediately admitted me and that’s where my story began. I was literally on death’s door. Shortly after many tests, skin biopsies and a 10 day hospital stay. I was diagnosed with Lupus, Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease, and Interstitial Lung disease. Before that, I was mainly healthy just with some esophagus issues that were resolved with surgery and issues with IBS.
After being diagnosed in May 2025 that was nowhere near the end of my health journey.I had a Vat’s procedure done on my lungs in June to biopsy some tissue to see what else might be wrong with me. July, I went into septic shock. I also at the same time had a kidney infection and had to get a stent put in. Fast forward to August, I had a parotid gland tumor removed. Thankfully the tumor was non-cancerous. Between all these health issues, I have had home health care in and out of the house, physical therapy, and several other tests. The end of August my biopsy results came back that I also have Antisynthetase Syndrome. It’s also known as a NORD(National Organization for Rare Disorders) because it’s so very rare. I have the pl-12 antibody. That disease causes muscle weakness and my interstitial lung disease.
There was so many things I was diagnosed within such little time I didn’t know what to do. Lupus alone causes enough damage and then add on the other things as well, it was just way too much to handle. I found Lupus in Color group on Facebook in May. It’s been extremely helpful on my journey. Some days I look at myself in the mirror and I have a rash all over my face and I don’t even feel like leaving my house because I feel like people would look at me strange. Other days, taking a shower just wears me out and I sleep the rest of the afternoon. On those days especially that’s when I go on the lupus group to try to get encouragement from others to keep fighting this battle.
I am blessed that I have a very understanding rheumatologist. From the first time I met him in the hospital he has been 100% on this journey with me and figuring out everything that he can do to help my diseases be less active. I am also blessed with a bunch of friends and family who are very understanding and help me keep doing. Between my doctor and friends I am able to still keep active in things I enjoy. I have a booth at a local antique shop. I also run a program that helps families in need, that gives out free baby items twice a month. I also am very active in my church. When I first was diagnosed I thought these things were things I would have to give up. I fought hard over last summer just to be able to not be in a wheelchair and have some normalcy back.
The beginning of this year I began infusions to treat the Antisynthetase syndrome and medications to help the Lupus rash. These infusions cause me to be immune compromised and to have to be careful being around large crowds of people the rest of my life.
Although I have all these conditions I am still trying to be as active as I can this spring.
I plan on having a big garden with giving away lots of vegetables to family and friends. I plan on finally being able to go to the beach and not be wheelchair-bound or sick like last summer. This journey has not been easy but I am going to fight and not give up. Lupus has not won. Some days are harder than others. I have a fight in me and keep thinking positive. You can see the glass half empty or half full. I choose to see it half full.
I choose to be empowered by Lupus and all my diseases and conquer them. Some days I have to rest and realize I need to take care of myself. This is one of the number one things I’ve learned with lupus. When I was in the hospital I was so sick that I didn’t think of helping anyone or doing anything for others. It helped me to realize that in order for my body to go on I need to treat it well. Rest when I can, exercise when I can, and then once my cup is full I can share it with others.
Lupus is certainly a journey that is all still new to me. I am just so thankful to have found a circle that supports me. I fight every day and not give up. With God on my side nothing is impossible.
My advice to others is keep fighting, have faith, find your circle, find a team of doctors who understand you, rest when you can and when your cup is full share it with others. This has been a long year with Lupus but my journey is far from over.
Lupus In Color Salutes you !
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 THIS FLIGHT ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND START THE BUTTERFLY JOURNEY SPREADING LUPUS AWARENESS!
#lupusincolor #flightofthebutterflies #lupuswarriors #butterfliesofhope
