If you could tell your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

As a young woman, I took chances, dare to do things differently. I love family, friends and colleagues. Experienced living in several states and so glad I took those International trips,.

Life was wonderful, then lupus wolf took my joy away. It became hard and lonely. Struggling in ways I never imagined. Faced with obstacles including finding good healthcare care. This was certainly not what I though would become of my life..

Then I take a few moments and remember all the fabulous things that I have done, stop complaining!!! Now I focus on helping others thru words, experience and advocacy.

Living and loving is so worthwhile! Even though life can be tough, it can also be good. Take care of your health as best you can, guard your heart, believe in a Higher Power, and in yourself. Not everyone is going to care for you, that is fine. Those that do, whom you care for, will be enough. And remember, what the others think of you is none of your business!

Stop racing to where you think you want to go in life … take the time to seize the many opportunities around you every day and follow where life takes you

Oh, sweet girl, this is just the beginning. This is the first fight of many. Pace yourself. Believe in yourself. Don't let yourself get dismissed. Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't sit down and wait. Ask for better testing sooner. Ask more questions. Switch doctors before you find yourself crying in the waiting room. And save some of that 23 year old strength. You're really going to need it around the time you turn 37, and again in the season before your 40th birthday. Keep something in the reserves so they don't feel so empty. And be open about all of this from the start. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. You were born to be an advocate. There are no coincidences. I'm just trying to figure out what that means here and now tonight.