Lupus . . . the Journey Continues: My Bout with Lupus, a Healing from the Son

By Joyce Duren

Joyce Duren establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with in literary as well as other circles.

Ms. Duren has written a work of commendable perfection. In style, content, and supreme organization, My Bout with Lupus now takes its place on the universal bookshelf of masterpieces.

There can be no doubt about her originality. She tells an unusually touching story in a colorful, lighthearted language unique to a contemporary Californian with roots in Cleveland, Ohio, and West Virginia, all of which she is . . . and has . . . None of which she denies.

She also can take on tough situations successfully. Her completion of this fine book, despite overwhelming odds, proves that. And her application of spiritual tools such as prayer, fasting, and positive thinking along the way proves her to be steadfast in her faith.

Besides being entertaining and inspiring My Bout with Lupus is also educational. It teaches us how to apply our own inner resources in these tumultuous times. Thus, Ms. Duren is a master teacher too.

On top of all this, shes also charismatic, perfect for any television talk show. Hints of her healthy personality leak out of this vigorous saga about her struggles successfully to meet the challenges of simultaneously being a single parent, church activist, and businessperson.

Writer, instructor, personalityJoyce Duren is all these great things . . . and more. But why go on here?

Read her inspiring, informative story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Apr 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781466991071

Joyce Duren

With this book, Joyce Duren establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with – in literary as well as other circles. Ms. Duren has written a work of commendable perfection. In style, content and supreme organization, Lupus . . . The Journey Continues now takes its place on the Universal Bookshelf of masterpieces. There can be no doubt about her originality. She tells an unusually touching story in a colorful, lighthearted language unique to a contemporary Californian with roots in Cleveland, Ohio and West Virginia. All of which she is… and has… None of which she denies. She also can take on tough situations – successfully. Her completion of this fine book, despite overwhelming odds proves that. And her application of spiritual tools such as prayer, fasting and positive thinking along the way, prove her to be steadfast in her faith. Besides, being entertaining and inspiring, Lupus . . . The Journey Continues is also educational. It teaches us how to apply our own inner resources in these tumultuous times. Thus, Ms. Duren is a master teacher, too. On top of all this, she’s also charismatic…perfect for any television talk show. Hints of her healthy personality leak out of this vigorous saga about her struggles successfully to meet the challenges of simultaneously being a single parent, church activist and businessperson. Writer, instructor, personality – Joyce Duren is all of these great things…and more. But why go on here? Read her inspiring, informative story. Nolan Davis

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Copyright 2015 Joyce Duren.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

All information and results stated in my publication are for information purposes only. The information is not specific medical advice for any individual; the contents of this publication should not substitute medical advice from a health professional if you have a health problem, speak to your doctor or a health professional immediately about your condition.

Through It All by Andrae Crouch

©Copyright 1971 By Manna Music, Inc., 2111 Kenmere Ave.

Burbank, CA 91504

International ©Copyright Secured. All Rights Reserved.

Used by permission.

Chapter 6: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus new and copyrightable authorship as all new text, editing of chapter 6. Text used by permission from A Drug Therapy Patient Guide, Understanding Systemic Lupus Erythematosus." Prepared under the direction of Dr .Michael D. Lockshin, Associate Professor of Medicine at Cornell University College and Associate Attending Surgeon at The New York Hospital and the Hospital for Special Surgery. ©Copyright 1981 by Biomedical Information Corporation, 800 Second Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017.

Chapter 10: Plasmapheresis and Lupus new and copyrightable authorship as all new text, editing of chapter 10. Text used by permission: Written by Peter C. Cau, M.D., Specialty Board: 1971 Diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology Research Immunologist, Children Hospital, San Francisco; 1975-present, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 1977-present. This particular article was presented at Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, before the Bay Area Lupus Foundation, Inc., January 17, 1981.

ISBN: 978-1-4669-9106-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4669-9107-1 (e)

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CONTENTS

Introduction Lord…Why Write this Book

Chapter 1 Family Legacy—Where It All Started

Chapter 2 October 16, 1972

Chapter 3 Crucible of Pain

Chapter 4 Looking for a Self-Cure

Chapter 5 Tragedy Strikes -Not once… But Twice

Chapter 6 Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Chapter 7 Faith Moves Mountains

Chapter 8 Lupus Crisis

Chapter 9 Inspirational Testimonies

Chapter 10 Plasmapheresis and Lupus

Chapter 11 Medication

Chapter 12 Emotional Manifestations and Musicle Problems Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Chapter 13 West By God Virginia

Chapter 14 California Here I Come

Chapter 15 Social Security Insurance

Chapter 16 A Healing from the Son

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all who are suffering

Spiritually and physically.

I pray that you can be uplifted and the

Son will shine in your life as

He has in mine.

INTRODUCTION

LORD…WHY WRITE THIS BOOK

Two years had lapsed, only a few hand-written pages and some informational materials on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ((SLE) and related diseases. I kept questioning God! Why?

In 1980 the Holy Spirit ministered to me to write my first book—"My Bout with Lupus. In a vision the Lord gave me the cover along with the subtitle, A Healing from the Son." This confirmed that the Lord was a definite part of the book. All needed was submitting myself to His will… But my will was stubborn. The scripture came to mind—John 11:4. When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness in not until death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. Many other things replaced the writing of my book. The process of gathering information on lupus and going to different lupus group meetings, being educated learning to cope with this disease.

Now, very discouraged, seeing no end to the pain and suffering—wondering when and where was my relief; then the writing can be about positive things instead of all this pain and suffering. There were numerous people unfamiliar with the term lupus, just as when the word lupus first hit my ears. People reacted the same way—what in the world is lupus? Some people had the same symptoms, during my diagnostic era. I would recommend them to see their physician and get tested.

The LE (Lupus Erythematosus) Cell Test is vitally important, as it provides a way to isolate the person with LE from others with related auto-immune diseases. The LE test has been supplanted largely by the ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) test.

The ANA Test represents the cornerstone for diagnosis of LE at present. It is "positive" in over 90-95% of persons with LE. Antibodies in the blood plasma of the patient attach to components of the cell nucleus on a specially prepared slide.

The Anti-DNA-Antibodies Test is probably the most specific test for systemic lupus erythematosus that is generally available. It is rarely "positive" in persons who do not have LE, but it is not always positive in those with LE. High levels of Anti-DNA Antibodies are often associated with potentially more serious diseases.

Phyllis, my sister was living in San Bernardino, California and was attending a church there in the area. One Sunday she requested prayer for me, calling out the name of the disease. The minister and others conveyed to her that it was a social disease (they didn’t hold my name up in prayer because they thought that my life style didn’t deserve it.)

My sister felt hurt, confused and embarrassed about the disease and in requesting further prayer, so she kept her distance from me until she educated herself, researching the medical term lupus. She no longer attends that church. And needless to say the minister’s life style was very shabby, which he no longer carries the title of minister, he divorced his wife and the church closed. She didn’t share the comment with me until several months later and it was funny then. I could not have laughed about it at the onset of the disease—nor could she. She has symptoms similar to mine for the past several years, but not quite as severe as mine when I’m in a crisis. She complains of itching, breaking out with rashes on her skin, pain in various areas of her body, fatigueless, and joint swelling; Doctors never able to diagnose her with lupus, only that she has out-of-controlled high blood pressure, and a thyroid condition.

My mother also has similar symptoms—still not to the extent that I have. She has had chronic lung problems. Since my father stopped smoking in the house, she’s better.

My father also had several symptoms. His skin was very sensitive to bandages and metal subjects. He would break out in an itchy rash and often times suffer with joint pain. He was very active as far as exercising, but his over-all condition was good. He was diagnosed in ’84 as having prostate cancer, took radiation treatment for eight weeks. The cancer went into remission, my father passed November 1994 of a heart attack. He was 75 years old.

Most physicians feel that lupus is not hereditary, but after working and researching sickle cell anemia disease for several years and talking with people with lupus and looking at my family’s medical history, lupus reminded me of sickle cell anemia. Parents can carry the lupus trait as do sickle cell parents, I feel, and pass the disease to one or more of their offspring. Again this is my opinion and this has not been medically confirmed.

The Lord kept enabling me to meet other lupus patients and after meeting them, understanding why writing my first book became clear. Lay persons need to be informed—as well as the medical profession. And who could be more informed than a lupus patient.

In spite of the disease, keeping myself busy was a must—if it was just calling someone up to encourage them, or taking one of my elderly friends out to breakfast, lunch or dinner, or a long drive—getting out away from home did them good and me too.

Having the Lord in my life has enabled me to do well, there is great joy ministering to lupus patients, and others who are sick—telling them about God and His promises to us and what a difference He could make in their lives. Especially when they thought no one cared and the pains become unbearable. Telling them: "Jesus is always there, just hold on."

When lupus patients start feeling somewhat better, or should I say when I start feeling better, the tendency to slip back into some of my old bad habits; slowly eating whatever the craving was, thinking just this once and that’s it. But that does not work like that, especially when you’re been a junk eater.

My walk with the Lord seemed to be at a stand-still as far as my growth spiritually. But I never stopped praying or going to church, but the distant feeling from the Lord in spirit was still there.

My many financial problems with nowhere to turn – but to get a job!

February 1981 becoming very confused and frustrated while seeking a doctor who would help take me off prednisone (very upset with my doctor) and praying that taking the herbs and vitamins would help build up my energy level so I could endure more hours a day for employment. A temporary job agency sent me to Northrop Corporation, working in the Avionic Department, as a secretary on a three-week assignment. That assignment lasted for eight months.

Working there was a joy, and my boss wanted me to take the position permanently. The second month it became a struggle to last all day. My lunch hour was nap time—sometimes over-sleeping my body required more rest. My breaks also became nap time. This definitely wasn’t long enough, and work was not the place to catch up on the much needed rest. Explaining my health situation to my boss; he being a Christian too, gave us the opportunity to talk about the Lord. Advising him that quitting was the alternative, but I would stay until he hired another secretary. No one applying satisfied him.

Telling him that I would conduct the interviews for him—we finally hired someone seven months later. By that time I was really sick and hospitalized after a pulmonary function test showed severe restrictive lung disease. That explained the pain and shortness of breath.

I changed doctors and started going to a medical clinic which was referred by a friend who told me that the physicians would take me off the steroids. The appointment was made and I met the doctor, who also had lupus. Thinking: Good! She’ll really be able to relate to what I’m going through. Well, it did not work like that. Going in feeling good and positive and excited about how the vitamins made me feel; and she would tell me there was no use in taking them. Asking about the prednisone and the possibility of getting off; she told me: "You’ll be taking them for the rest of your life." You know I didn’t want to hear that. Every time when leaving her office, she had no encouraging words, she said, just enough to keep me depressed; my only alternative was to stop going to her and return to my original physician, Dr. Robert Blackman. At least there it was some hopes of someday getting off the steroids.

Throughout our up’s and down’s, Dr. Blackman has proven to be a friend as well as an excellent physician. In learning to open up with him more, we have a good patient—doctor relationship, which is very important.

March, 1982. After spending 17 days mostly in bed specifically from fatigue, getting up only to go the bathroom, not knowing why all of this tiredness. After visiting my doctor, he suggested increasing the prednisone; normally the higher doses made me hyper; I cut down on taking the herbs and vitamins and just taking them occasionally. On the 25th of March, a friend who was also a lupus patient visited me, bringing several items to take. We both were into vitamins and herbs, and believed that the body can heal itself through the power of God. She had received such good results that she wanted to share her findings with me. We had become friends through one of the multi-marketing level pep-rally meetings, where my testimony was given on how and why my involvement with the herbal program. I moved up a step in the company, receiving my gold pin for selling a certain dollar amount for that particular month. She had a friend with lupus in the audience, she wanted me to meet. We met and developed a friendship which has lasted now for several years. When we feel that we have touched upon something good, we always share the experiences with each other.

An article she had brought with her. The headline read "1,000-Year-old Inca cancer cure works, Paw O’ Arco—Brazilian Herb Tea has Cured many Diseases (Usually in two Months or Less)."

Feeling a little puzzled. If that’s the case, why hasn’t the medical world used this to cure the many, many cancer patients? Then, again, reflecting back to all the herbs and vitamins on the market and very few doctors recommending them as a cure… Why? The thought didn’t linger too long, but the willingness to try anything that might alleviate my pain, even if it’s only for a short while?

My friend fixed me a cup of tea. The taste was not pleasant. But down it went anyway, promising to continue since she had so much confidence in the tea; Also taking four tablets of a herb called "Combination #26" (H-Ginseng-Gotu Kola Tea blend) for energy (ingredients: Korean Ginseng, Gotu Kola, Ginger Root, Licorice Root and Dandelion Root).

We talked, my body still felt tired and wanting sleep. My attorney was expected over and staying up until (7:30 pm) was a must. Meanwhile fixing another cup of tea, this time with a little honey; it was getting late, and my friend left.

My attorney was running late and oh how the sleep was about to take over, my eyes felt as though they had sand in them; I poured another cup of tea and drank it. Finally, my attorney arrived; we completed our business and he left.

To my surprise I had a burst of energy—something not felt in several months, exercised for several minutes and made plans for the following day. My energy level was so high; trying to catch up with all my housework in one night, going through it like a cyclone. When trying to relax, I was like a jumping-jack and then up again—. This went on for three days. Then just as the energy came, it left. Still drinking the tea and taking the herbal tablets; my son would always say, especially during whirl wind clean-up days. "Mother you must be on the dope again. Why don’t you rest?"

Soon realizing pacing myself was very important with the burst of energy, because it was false energy. It seemed as though the mechanism which let my brain know