Real people. Real journeys.

Lupus warrior · Eldoret

Nyambura

Living with lupus has taught me that thriving does not always mean having good days. Sometimes, it means getting out of bed when your body is exhausted, going through treatment, and still choosing hope. Lupus has changed many things in my life, but it has not taken away my dreams.

My lupus journey began six years ago with constant fatigue, followed by joint pain, skin ulcers, and eventually hair loss, which was the saddest part for me. At home, no one understood what I was going through. They thought I was pretending, and I relied on painkillers to manage the pain. When the skin ulcers appeared, they finally took my condition seriously.

I visited several hospitals, but the doctors could not find the right diagnosis. After relocating to Eldoret, my condition worsened, which I felt was due to the change in climate. I was admitted to MTRH, where I finally began treatment.

Even after receiving a diagnosis, the journey remained difficult. Affording medication and continuing treatment was a struggle, especially because I was still young and had just finished high school. My grandmother helped me pay for my medication, but I sometimes felt like a burden to her. There were times when I hid my pain. Eventually, I stopped taking my medication and went back to using painkillers. There were moments when everything felt overwhelming, but I kept going.

I am learning to listen to my body, take each day as it comes, and celebrate even the small victories.