LIVING WITH LUPUS

Christina’s Story
By Christina Yau

I didn’t think that writing this story would take long but this took me hours to write.  It made me reflect about my life – present, and future, my dreams, what is important to me, what makes me happy.  My name is Christina Yau.  I’m a registered nurse from Ottawa.  I was diagnosed with lupus in August of 2006.  What mainly affects me, physically, is my gastro-intestinal system.  It’s kind of funny that whenever I get a flare-up, I always get hospitalized on the floor that I work on and my coworkers are taking care of me.  I find that every hospitalization I have, it helps me learn about my illness and how to become a better nurse to my patients.
           
I’ve also discovered what I value in life.  I have a whole new perspective with my immediate family.  Before I was diagnosed with lupus, I was always annoyed with my family and was never really close to them.  But going through the process of getting diagnosed, with feelings of uncertainty and confusion, and being in the hospital, made me realize that they really love and care about me.  I can guarantee that they will always be there for me and I will always be there for them.  I love them with all my heart.
           
One thing that I didn’t expect from my friends was they accepted it as a fact of life and it added a new dimension to our friendship.  When I was sick in the hospital, they would visit me day to day as though we were meeting for coffee.  Conversation never revolved about my lupus; we would talk about whatever friends talk about.  They have surpassed my expectations as friends.
           
I try to live my life to my favourite quotation:

“Work as if you have no money.  Love as if you’ve never been hurt.  Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening.  And live everyday as if it were your last.”
-anon

Nothing is guaranteed in life so always think positive.  Take one day at a time.  Take all the opportunities you can get and live life to the fullest.