Shanelle Gabriel
29, Single
Singer, HBO poet, ShanelleGabriel.com
The youngest of our heroines has perhaps the most visible career as well. The daily struggles with a nebulous and sometimes scary diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE/lupus) can be relentless and challenging.
Though there are various experiences, most go through “flares” as symptoms wax and wane but as the name implies- systemic, means it can affect any part of the body systems.
Shanelle, spent months prior to her diagnosis with vague symptoms of fatigue and joint pains of Lupus and even got criticisms from her loved ones questioning her illness (since there were no outward signs at the time).
Autoimmune conditions often have no cure. Treatment is often symptomatic and as with Crohn’s disease- strong steroids and immune modulators with significant side effects are prescribed.
Despite daily symptoms of pain and fatigue, Shanelle works to create and share her talents, along the way encouraging her fans and those in her industry to push forward with their dreams despite health issues.
She creates poems and music that reach many young people and helps spread awareness about her sometimes debilitating lupus symptoms.
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As a sufferer of more than one auto immune disease, I have to say thank you for bringing more light to this often over looked area.
You are welcome Erin.
I too suffer with a couple of different ones as well and its nice to be able to hear other peoples stories, knowing I’m not the only one.
You are certainly not alone Bonnie.
I suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis. It truly something that if you don’t suffer from it, you probably don’t understand. There are days I can’t do much or if I do too much one day the next day I am paying for it. I have learned to do my best and accept it when I can’t do something but most of all listen to my body.
You could not have said it better Christina- listening to your body is so crucial when living with a chronic, incurable condition.
I’m glad that you’re bringing all these to light.
Thank you for this. I struggle with Lupus. It changes the person that you were to the person you become. You have to find the best in life and be grateful for special moments. Life is a gift-Use it well.
Laura,
The default when you receive a life-altering diagnosis like Lupus is to slip into despair but you have chosen to say “I have Lupus, it does not have me”.
Way to go!
This is great! I have a good friend with Lupus, among a few others, & I always see her struggle when people think that she’s “not that sick”.
Melissa,
I bet your friend really appreciates the empathy she gets from you.
It should hopefully make up for the lack of understanding (or compassion) directed her way.
That is amazing, these stories are so encouraging to me!
Thank you for sharing I have a family member with Lupus and never realized the struggle she faces.
Geanine,
You could not have known. Lupus tends to quietly wreck havoc on the internal organs- particularly the kidneys.
Other than stiffness in the joints especially in the mornings, it’s hard to see the suffering brought on by lupus.
One of my mantras is “be kind to everyone for they are fighting a secret battle.” It’s so amazing that you are raising awareness about this and bringing real women and real stories and real women. Big kudos and big hug!
Elayna,
Thanks for the kind words.
It’s very heartwarming. The support alone makes this wonderful. I’m glad I happened across your write-up on this today. 🙂
I used to suffer with type 2 diabetes. I believe it was due to the brain tumor that I had. But after the tumor was removed all that I was left with was residual tissue growth on my face from acromegaly.
Thanks for sharing this info. It is important to bring awareness.