Hi, my name is Ida Kolader and I have Lupus. There are 5 million people worldwide battling this chronic, life threatening, autoimmune disease. It manifests very differently in every patient and goes misdiagnosed often within individuals.
I am 35 years old. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 2003 and in 2007, during my worst flare, Lupus attacked my heart, lungs, eyes, skin and even my nervous system. My life was at risk because all drugs recommended failed to work and in some cases heightened the symptoms. I was eventually put on chemotherapy, a trial treatment for Lupus.
I always knew what most patients feel and yet are very insecure to voice, we are merely suppressing our symptoms with the drugs and not treating the root of the illness.
I had to take my life back. After 12 years of pain, frustration, and suffering, I was finally ready to take responsibility for my own health: I decided to boost my immune system by changing my diet and lifestyle. I spent two weeks in Italy learning all about the role of food in our lives and how the way we eat and how what we eat affects our health. I spent three months in California, detoxing, alkalizing and restoring my body to its natural healthy state. These three months changed my life physically and spiritually. Not only did it bring me health freedom, it also brought me back to my own heart. I am aware of the person I am today without the stigma of Lupus, the drugs, the doctors, the lab tests and hospitals. It changed my body, my mind, and soul. I am finally experiencing a significant relief. I am better and I am healthier than I have ever been and even 9 months completely off meds, for the first time in 12 years.
In 2011, I started the Plum Blossom Foundation and became fully devoted to bringing awareness about Lupus and alternative healing methods. Our foundation is dedicated to raising active participants in the world; to support, serve and educate those affected by Lupus, directly or indirectly; and to promote healthy living by providing resources, information and education to those with or without illness.
Visit www.plumblossomfoundation.com and support.
If you haven’t seen the prequel; “Flare: Living with Lupus” click on the link below.