Happy New Year

This is just a quick note to apologise for not having posted anything for so long after having got off to such a flurrying start. First I caught a sickness bug that I picked up in the hospital when I went for my weekly blood tests which put me out for a while. This had a knock-on effect on other things: I had to catch up with work and Christmas preparation – (you know how busy it gets!?), and then came the holiday season. Anyway, enough excuses! I just wanted to say ‘happy new year’ to anyone reading this and thank you so much for taking the time to do so.

Be assured I am now on the case of writing some more bits and pieces that will follow over the next few weeks, and I hope they will be of some interest to you. My aim is to share, discuss and get advice from other ‘loopies’ about getting the most out of life despite lupus. Ideas for themes that might be relevant and useful come from our research as well as my own experience (hence the next feature being about trying to avoid infection – or not, as the case may be!) and I will also share my story so you know why and how this whole Living Well with Lupus business came about. Other issues I am considering discussing this year are relationships, mouth ulcers, Reynauld's, hair loss and yoga.

Aside from wanting better emotional and practical support for people with lupus, my other major preoccupation is raising general public awareness and understanding of the condition. For a disease that affects so many people, lupus has a low profile, especially here in the UK. The good news is that I had an idea when I was in the shower this morning that may help with this (don't worry, I am not planning a 'Fathers for Justice' type stunt or anything like that!) but before I get too excited I need to find out if it could be a goer and if it is, you'll be the first to know.

All in all, I hope you'll find it is worth watching this space in 2009 and keep in touch ...