My name is SHERRY SMIT I am 14 years old. I am not like other kids because I am not allowed in the sun due to my disease; the sun can make my disease big inside me and make me very sick. I enjoy playing with my animals; badminton and making interesting art objects. You would normally find me with my school work; in my church choir or listening to Cher and 60+70 CD's.

I would know more about chemotherapy and hospitals because sometimes I am very ill. I look fine on the outside but on the inside it is a war. I wrote this book to show children not to be lazy even if you are ill.

S.L.E stands for SYSTEMIC LUPUS EYRETHMRTOSIS. Lupus in LATIN means [WOLF] because you don't know where or when a wolf or my disease is going to attack. S.L.E [LUPUS] can and will attack any of your organs from your brain to your liver. Did you know that no one knows where lupus comes from it can be passed from your parents; through toxic waste or even from the air.

Kidneys clean your body out taking waste products out. You should drink two Iitres of water a day to flush your kidneys even if you're healthy.
Your brain controls your bodies activities; It is like a power station.
All your organs should work together to make you healthy and energetic.
If your urine is dark that does not necessarily mean there is something wrong you could have drunk something colourful. My disease decided to attack my kidneys. So every time I see my Professor Bhimma I have blood tests and a urine test to show if my kidneys are doing O.K.

I was born on the 08.08.1988 Durban at St Augustin's hospital. The bluff. I was a perfectly normal baby. When I was three months old I developed a stomich problem. The doctor in bloemfiontain; where my mom and dad took me said I just needed to start solids. I went to Our LADY Of NATAL CONVENT school when I was eight years old I started getting sick and had a red mark on my face - that's when the doctors found out I had systemic lupus eyrethmetosis.

If your kidneys pack-up you have to have dialysis if dialysis does not help and your kidneys get worse you would not live much longer that's why you must drink lots of water. Every month for I year I received chemotherapy . Every 2nd month for 1 year I received chemotherapy and then every 3rd month for 2 years I received chemotherapy. I am now in my fifth year and no chemotherapy the doctors also have to give my body a break. Through all of my treatments and medications I still learn and go to school sometimes with drips in my hand I am now in grade 8 wanting to complete high school well.

If the chemotherapy was not enough to top it all I had a reaction to the chemotherapy so every time the doctors gave me the chemotherapy, they had to admit me to hospital, and give me an antidote to control my body's reactions to the medication. When I go to get blood tests and drips, I am still scared of the needles. I also worry if something is going to go wrong.

When I go to visit my professor BHIMMA at the Medical school at king edward the VIII. I help the sisters do B.P means blood pressure heights and weights. I often get upset when I am invited to pool parties etc. I cant go. There is one question I always ask my mother, "why me?" why do I have to suffer it's unfair. I would like to have been a veterarian but I think that I have had enough of doctors work Thank-You. I had already made my signature up:


My disease has affected my kidneys so I have to watch my diet also because I have medication cortizone which swells you up. I am not allowed oranges or orange juice it affects My kidneys. If I drink too much acid drink or foods I get a stomach ulcer. I also have to eat lots of vitamins and Calcuim because I also have arthritis from this disease (lupus). I can eat some junk food as the grown-ups like to call it but I must not pig myself out. My weight and energy is in my own hands.

Eating Right with Lupus
There are some days I feel nausious so I don't eat! Big mistake I lose my energy and just feel like sleeping. If you eat right your body will be healthy and you will grow. If you have to take medication even if it makes you look different, rather stay alive then worry about your looks and listen to your professors and doctors. Do what they say as they know best, most of the time.

Kidney Biopsy
When you have a kidney biopsy you need to stay calm. Before you have it, a day before you see doctors that mark where your kidneys are with special machinery. Then you are booked in to hospital the next day. You get a drip to give you fluids to keep you going.
Lupus patients are not allowed anaesthetic it effects the disease. Then they draw a small piece of kidney that always grows back, test It and see how good or bad your kidneys are doing.

Sherry

Over the last 2500 years we have evolved from thinking that the body was composed of humours to being able to successfully transplant patients with endstage kidney disease.

Early Milestones
330-400 BC: Hippocrates' theory: the body composed of 4 different elements: earth, fire, water and air.

20 AD: Pliny advanced the analysis of urine: drinking the mixture of wild boar urine with wine would dissolve kidney stones!

200 AD: Galen's observations proved that urine was produced by the kidneys.

The Modern Era
1789-1858: Richard Bright, the father of modern nephrology, linked clinical signs e.g. oedema with kidney disease. Kidney disease became known as Bright's disease.

1860's: Graham and Fick carry out pioneering laboratory work on dialysis.

1946: Willem Kolff successfully dialyses a patient in acute renal failure.

December 1954: Landmark successful human transplant between identical twins in USA.

Early 1980's: Introduction and widespread use of ciclosporin: reduction in the risk of acute rejection..

Getting a hobby or collecting something can sometimes distract you and help you cope with things, I collect keyrings. I have 360, I hope to reach 1000. I like to express my feelings and talk about my disease as Projects at school. Support from family, friends and understanding from school is good to keep your Strength and calm going good. My professor Bhimma said that my kidneys and I, are doing well, but if ever I need a kidney transplantation my mom and dad both offered their kidneys for me so I'm safe. A kidney transplantation is when the doctors take your bad kidney out and put one like yours, but that's working well in you. If there is nothing wrong with you, you can live with one kidney only you would just have to stay healthy.

I am a renal patient that means I suffer with a kidney problem and disease. Every year our renal patients Moms and some Dads with their Children get together and make a Christmas party with lovely foods, cold drinks, presents and a father christmas. All donated by componies, even our doctors get involved. My mom, MARY-ANN Smit, is involved with the kzn kidney association.

I am on cortizone which, when you are on a large amount can swell you up very big. But once the doctor lowers the dose it's fine you would just have to then go on a diet for a little while. I am also on azathioprine which is a tablet form of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can make your hair fall out and get thinner, that's if you are on a large amount. The doctors keep an eye on my other organs and check my bones by doing x-rays, they check my eyes for cataracts and my growth for my formation is growing good.
CATARACTS-if you don't get your eyes checked if you are on cortizone your eyes can form cataracts that's if not treated in time it can make you go blind.
THE DOCTORS ALSO CHECK MY BONES FOR ARTHRITIS IT MAKES YOUR BODY AND BONES VERY SORE AND STIFF.

I am more aware of diseases and what's going on in the world today. I also know what some people Go through when they are very sick. I am still afraid when I see the doctors or professors you never know what is going to happen. I hope my mom and dad are not too disturbed, because we are always on the go, to hospitals, professors, Blood tests, school work and then home. I must try to stay positive at all times, stick to my medications and try my best to be a normal kid, it's not easy because I will still have to watch my health.

Some Facts
YOUR FACE GOES RED WHEN YOU LAUGH.
YOU SOMETIMES GET UNUSUAL PAINS EVERY WHERE.
YOU CAN'T OVER WORK YOURSELF, CAUSING A RELAPSE IN YOUR DISEASE ACTIVITY.
KEEP YOURSELF BUSY LIKE ME , KEEP OUT OF THE SUN , I DO BADMITON AT SCHOOL, MY SCHOOL PROJECTS, SCOUTS ON A FRIDAY, SOMETIMES WE GO CAMPING, AND CHURCH ON A SATURDAY OR SUNDAY.
YOU MUST TRY AND ALWAYS STAY POSITIVE, NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, REMEMBER GOD WORKS DIFFERENT TO US.


Professor Bhimma & his wife.