Living with Lupus – LaDansa’s Story

Overview: Systemic lupus erythematosus disproportionately impacts women of color, presenting diagnostic delays, debilitating flare-ups, and chronic joint pain. In “Living with Lupus: LaDansa’s Story,” the narrative details LaDansa’s lived experience navigating autoimmune symptoms, managing clinical treatments, and finding emotional resilience. By highlighting early warning signs, the mental toll of chronic illness, and the power of patient self-advocacy, the story provides a roadmap for patients and families confronting autoimmune conditions.

Navigating chronic autoimmune disease, diagnosis hurdles, and resilience through one woman’s personal lupus journey

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Lupus disproportionately affects African American women. This autoimmune condition causes widespread pain and inflammation, attacking healthy tissue throughout the body. While managing the symptoms can feel overwhelming, North Carolina resident LaDansa Ussery proves that resilience makes all the difference. Her journey living with lupus is nothing short of inspiring.

A Terrifying First Warning

LaDansa first realized something was wrong during a routine annual physical. Her doctor grew concerned after repeat tests showed dangerously low white blood cell levels.

“I was diagnosed with an autoimmune issue where my white blood count would go really low,” LaDansa explained. “It would go low to the point where when my blood ran through my veins, it was making bruises.”

Her physician ordered lab work three separate times to rule out testing errors. During the third appointment, the doctor broke the news while holding back tears.

When LaDansa asked why she was crying, the doctor offered a blunt warning: “Because you do so much with your kids. At this point, you really got to watch yourself because you could have bleeding of the brain and drop dead.”

The Search for Answers

pecialists initially struggled to pinpoint the underlying cause. Medical teams monitored her blood weekly and even suspected leukemia. A full year passed before another doctor raised the possibility of lupus.

Around age 42, new warning signs appeared alongside unexplained hair loss and severe bruising.

“The way the butterfly emerged on my face was a spot here, a spot there,” she recalled. “Then all of a sudden, I woke up one day and it was just full-blown.”

Unfamiliar with the classic butterfly rash, LaDansa visited a dermatologist. The doctor scheduled a skin biopsy, convinced that lupus was the culprit. He immediately phoned his wife, a fellow physician, to ask how to stabilize LaDansa’s health right away.

She recommended three core lifestyle changes:

• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
• Lowering daily stress levels
• Taking potassium, calcium, and targeted supplements

“To this day, I’ve never seen her,” LaDansa said. “I did send her a thank you card because it was the beginning of getting me healthy.”

Like many people diagnosed with autoimmune issues, LaDansa had heard of lupus through her husband’s niece. However, she never understood its true severity until facing it herself.

Managing Daily Pain Through Movement

Today, LaDansa keeps her condition well-controlled. She has experienced only one critical emergency requiring hospitalization and morphine.

While she manages to avoid heavy prescription regimens by taking just one medication twice daily, chronic aches remain a regular hurdle. Cold weather poses the greatest challenge.

“My joints ache, and I have some really rough mornings,” she shared. “Winter is the worst time of the year for me. I hurt even more. But as long as I get up and I exercise a couple of times during the week, I have been ok. Once I sit still, I’m kind of done.”

Refusing to Slow Down

Staying active and leaning on a strong support network keep LaDansa grounded. Her family provides constant motivation to stay on the move.

“My three kids are constantly on my back to make sure I’m moving,” she said. “My husband and I ride motorcycles. We rode out to Texas for the Fourth of July weekend, we rode to California, we rode to Niagara Falls. We’ll hit five states in seven days.”

Now 54, LaDansa looks forward to retirement, cross-country travel, and making memories with her five grandchildren. Her advice to others facing the condition is simple: do not let the diagnosis consume you.

“I got a lot to do,” she laughed. “I don’t have time to let lupus get me. I need to get lupus. They say I’m the rare bird, but I’m like, I can’t let it get me down.”

#LupusAwareness #ChronicIllness #HealthEquity