Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. This disease is ccharacterized by the immune system attacking the body’s cells and tissue. This then causes inflammation and tissue damage. As a result disease harms the heart, joints, skin, lungs, blood vessels, liver and kidneys. This disease is very unpredictable and has periods which are called flares. SLE mostly affects women around the child-bearing years ages, which are ages 15-35. It is more prevalent in African American women. SLE is treated with immunosuppresants. This disease can be fatal and there is no cure for this disease. I did not know anything about this disease until a few years ago when a very close relative of mine was diagnosed with it. After seeing the effect that it had on her I wanted to become more educated on this SLE. I interviewed my cousin Natasha Boyd.

ME: How would you describe how your living experiences have been with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?
Tasha: Things have been completely different for me since I was diagnosed with SLE. I am limited to doing things for myself now. I can't not perform certain daily activities that are necessary. I can not drive any more. I have to have one of my older son's take me to the places that I need to go. I can't live alone. I need to have some one living with me and constantly checking on me. I can no longer take care of my daughter anymore who has special needs. I have to have caregivers help me with her. I am have a really tight budget because I have to survive off of social security income. Which is less than the income I was making when I was able to work.
ME: What are you trying to do to maintain your health inspite of the disease?
Tasha: I am trying to stay as healthy as possible. I take my medications on time. I go to my scheduled Doctor's appointments when I am supposed to. I also get enough rest, sleep and do limited exercises when I can. Living with the disease can be depressing at times, As far as my mental health goes I meditate and pray to keep me from feeling down all the time.
Me: I can understand how challenging it may be to go from being able to do things for yourself and all of sudden not have that ability anymore. It is a blessing that you have people in your life such as your sons and your caregiver's to help you care for yourself and your daughter.


References
location:. "Systemic lupus erythematosus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systemic_lupus

"The Talk"

I think that having this talk is one of the most important conversations that take place between a parent and their child. I definitely feel that this talk should take place in a quiet comfortable environment. I really do no think the setting that the talk takes place really matters as long as it is not around a large amount of people. Places like the park, a returaunt or the privacy of ones own home.   Most parents should have this talk around the pre teen ages like 13. However, kids these days are alot more mature and advanced. I really think that it is at the parent's digression when this talk should take place. When discussing this subject I think it is best that it come from a parent that is of the same sex of the child. It would make things alot easier if the person that discusses this topic with the child can relate on a personal level. I know that this is not possible in all situations. There are some children that come from single parent homes. In the even that the parent is not able to have this talk with the child I feel that a positive role model, or a another family should step in and have this discussion on behalf of the parent.  I am a single mother of two children. I have an eleven year old son and a four year old daughter. I put off this talk for as long as possible, but I know that it has to be done. I had "The Talk" with my son to the best of my ability with the help of his uncle.

I did some research on books that would be helpful for teens that are curious about having sex and I found a book review on a book called Let's talk about sex by Sam Gitchell.I ordered the book online at Amazon and I plan on giving it to my son for him to read when he is a little older or if he has additional questions about sex.

When I had the talk with my son I started by asking if he knew what sex is?

My son replied, " It's where a boy and a girl mate" It is like is when they try to get to have a baby.
Mother: Do your friend's talk about it.
Son: No not really. Only when somebody brings it up.
Mother: What do they say about it?
Son: They talk about who they would do it to?
Mother: I know this may make you uncomfortable to talk about this with your mom, but I want to talk to you to make sure you know what it is and understand what it is.
Mother: Sex is is a way that married couples express their love for one another. It is very important that you wait until you are married or at least a responsible adult to have sex.
Mother: Do you think that this is something you can wait until marriage to do?
Son: yes
Mother: You do know that you are supposed to wait till until you until you are married, and even if other people at your school or your friends do it doesn't a make it ok right?
Son: yes
Mother:I know you may want to fit in with your friends and do not want to be left out, but I don't want you to feel peer pressured into doing something just to fit in with your friends or to be cool.
Mother: There are alot of consquences that can come along with having sex before you are married. Especially if it is not done the right way.
Mother: If you have sex without using protection you can get a sexually transmitted disease. Some diseases like Aids there is not a cure for and you can die from it.
Mother: Do you have any questions you would like to ask me?
Son: Yes What is sperm?
Mother: Sperm is a liquid that boys produce when they reach puberty. Sperm is what fertilizes the girls egg to make a baby. Boys can reach puberty any where from 9 to 16 years old. Which means that boys and girls are able to have babies at this age while you are still a kid. You know how it bothers you when your little sister follows you around or when I ask you to help me with her?
Son:yes
Mother: Well imagine if you had a baby of your own to take care of. It would be alot harder because you would have to do everything for the baby. You would not be able to buy things for the baby because you are not old enough to work yet. That is why it is very important to wait until you are an adult and married to have sex.
Mother: I want you to know if you have any more questions, or you feel like this is something you are thinking about doing you can always come talk to me.
Mother: Is this something you would feel comfortable talking to me about ?
Son: yes
Mother: I found a book that I ordered online. Just in case there is anything else you want know that you may not feel comfortable talking to me about. Remember if you don't feel comfortable talking to me about it you can always talk to your Gi Gi or one of your Aunts. If you feel like you need to talk to a man about it you can talk to your uncle as well.

I interviewed 2 different women tht were differnt ages, different race, and ethnicities. They were all asked the following question. What health issues are you concerned about and why? These wee he responses andresults of the interview.

Disabled
Black Woman
38 years old.
Natasha Boyd interview:
I am concerned with everyone not being able to afford healthcare according to their income. I am also concerned with the cost of prescription drugs. Most people can not afford to pay for the essential drugs that are needed for their chronic illnesses. Another concern of mine is the doctor's being quick to  prescribe drugs instead of looking into alternative medicine. There needs to be more funding for home health care for the disabled. So that they will have the benefit of staying in their own home instead of being institutionalized.

African Woman
Medical Student
25 years old.    
pseuo name: William Lawrence interview:
I am concered with Obama Care,  and the salary of the physicians. The issue with Obama care is that the government is going to cut the salary of the medical staff. As a result, the government will not be able to pay the hospitals. There are several county hospitals that the government has not paid and that  are in deficit. I am also concerned of the well being of the care for the patients due to the dissaisfaction of physicians. If the physicians are not satisfied with their job it will effect their job performance and they will not provide optimal care for their patients. I am currenetly doing my intership at a county hospital. I witness how case management is so eager to discharge the patients before they are stable. They do this  in order to cut the costs for hospitilazation. I feel that if the government gets more invovled then the patients will get sub optimal care.

I feel that this a very controversial issue. I am not disable, but I have been in both situations. I know exactly how it feels to not be able to afford healthcare for yourself , and family. I also can relate to William's concerns about certain health issues. I am currently going to school to pursue a career in the medical field. I can understand how upsetting it would be to have my salary reduced. Especially, considering the costs and sacrifices that has to be made to get the education.

kenethrabarkushealthblog.blogspot

My name is Kenethra Barkus. I am from Oklahoma city ,Oklahoma. I have lived in Texas since I was 5 years old.  I have lived all over Arlington, but I currently live in Mansfield. I have three sisters of which I am the oldest. I have two children. I have an eleven year old son and a four year old daughter. They keep me busy outside of work and school.

I am a Tarrant County College alumni. I graduated last semester with my Associates of Arts. I was interested in the Nursing program that is offered there, but I recently to get my Bachelor's Degree in Health Studies. After I have completed that I plan to get my Master's in Health Care Administration.   My hobbies include watching old old movies, and listening to music both new and old. I love all kinds of music. I do not watch T.V. often,but when I do I watch reality T.V.

I have never really been to concerned about lifestyle or Healthy eating habits.   but as I get older I  am starting to realize how important it is, and make wiser decisions when it comes to my health. I hope to learn from this course what it actually means to be healthy and how to go about doing it.

The one thing that no one  really knows about me or that makes me unique is  that I some what of a perfectionist. Even though I do not try to be I am really hard on myself and I always want things to be perfect.