What is Lupus?

What is lupus?
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. Normally, the immune system protects the body, but in lupus, the immune system attacks its own body. The disease manifests itself in so many different ways, and it may invade various systems of the body.

The death rate among African American women ages 45-64 years has increased seventy five percent (75%), and more than one-third of all deaths from SLE occurred among persons less than forty five (45) years of age.

To find out more about lupus, please visit the Lupus Alliance of Michigan/Indiana

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This information is for "informational purposes" and is not meant to be used for medical diagnosis. Always consult your physician on matters such as this.

Who is Latreese Fagan?

Biography of Latreese Fagan

We are thankful to God for giving us the dearest of His blessings and that was a wonderful daughter, the late Latreese Nicole Fagan. She was a strong young lady who faced many challenges, but overcame many obstacles that stood between her and her goals. Latreese was respected and admired by her family and friends.

She was determined to put her difficulties behind and her lifelong dreams ahead. She never lost her strong faith in God.

Sometimes we need reminders of special people who continue to bless our lives. Latreese had a unique personality that was a treasure to the world. She was sensitive and caring, but very independent and powerful. Latreese never put limits on herself. She just persevered to the end of her spectacular life. Latreese would want everyone to know that there is an enduring worth to every positive step you take, and that the good decisions that you make will come back to bless you one day. We, her family, pray that Latreese’s life story will inspire you to reach for the stars and to achieve the things that are so important to you.

At the tender age of twelve, our beloved daughter was experiencing many of the symptoms of the disease Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). We were unaware at the time that Latreese was showing signs of a lupus flare. This meant that her disease was no longer in remission, but it had become very active. She was experiencing chronic headaches, joint pains, rashes, low-grade fevers, fatigue and chronic infections. We took her to a pediatrician who was very perplexed with her multiple symptoms. The physician decided to have her admitted to a hospital to find a derivative diagnosis. After many questions and tests, the infectious disease doctors at the hospital gave us a diagnosis of “Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.” Our normal reaction was “what is lupus?”

Lupus is a very serious autoimmune disease. Our daughter’s immune system was producing antibodies that were attacking her healthy tissues. In other words, some parts of the immune system were no longer protecting her body, but it was harming her vital organs. We were then referred to a rheumatologist who started Latreese on a regimen of different medications and treatments. The doctors stabilized her condition on I. V. steroids and oral steroids. Latreese was never able to be drug free and she was always dependent on some types of medications. She had to endure many flare-ups that necessitated her going into the hospital numerous times, missing school, and one time she missed a whole year of school. She never had self-pity, and she always had her school assignments completed in a timely manner. Her teachers marveled at her fortitude to get her homework done knowing that many times she was not feeling well.

Latreese was eventually transferred to Mott’s Children Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, due to the complexity of finding a workable treatment program. We thank God that she was able to graduate from Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan, at the top of her class. She was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate and an honor graduate! She did not graduate with her graduating class due to her missing a whole year of school, but she did not let that bother her. She was too focused on getting into a reputable college and getting her college degree. Latreese eventually was transferred to the adult rheumatology department at the University of Michigan Hospital. Many great physicians in the rheumatology and hemodialysis departments as well as other departments saw her on a regular basis. We commend the doctors, social workers, nurses, caretakers, and others for the excellent care she received.

Latreese was accepted at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She eventually declared her major in Industrial and Operations Engineering. She successfully completed each year of her schooling. She worked as a summer intern for Ford Motor Company her freshmen and sophomore years. She loved the internship program at Ford Motor Company and was seriously giving thought to becoming a permanent employee after graduation. But she wanted to diversify and accepted a summer internship position at General Motors.

It was during this internship that her lupus flared again. Her doctors were able to get her lupus under control enabling Latreese to get back in school. She was so very happy to start her senior year. But her disease eventually returned to an active stage. She fought hard to complete her senior year, but she suffered renal failure that was very life threatening. The start of hemodialysis hindered her plans to return to college, but not her strong desire to get her college degree. She maintained this desire until shortly before her death. Latreese succumbed on May 18, 2001. She remained very positive and still was in an upbeat mood about the future until her untimely death.

Latreese never knew the meaning of giving up. All of her doctors, nurses, and caretakers marveled at her strength. They witnessed and saw first hand her life and death struggles to live. She survived numerous intensive care admissions, intrusive operations, and experiments. She told us that her doctors called her a “miracle” and an “enigma.” They could not understand how she survived so long with them knowing the severity of her conditions. We saw her weakening, but she made the most of her remaining strengths. We referred to her as our “little tiger” because we could see that she was trying to conquer all of her limitations. She just refused to stay down, but fought hard to soar like an eagle.

In the long run, the lupus had harmed every internal organ in her body. It had attacked her skin, vascular system, lungs, heart, joints, central nervous system, brain, among others. Due to the damage to her lungs, she became oxygen dependent. The doctors maintained a treatment of mainly corticosteroids and immunosuppressants. The side effects of these drugs caused her additional complications such as glaucoma, hypertension, osteoporosis, cataracts, loss of hair, stomach ulcers, and more infections. She never knew what organs were going to be attacked next, but she fought each attack with a vengeance. Latreese was a strong warrior in every sense of the word.

Latreese knew that her strong faith in God sustained her during those difficult periods. She turned her anxious moments into a positive by staying in a great frame of mind. She was blessed with many talents. She jumped into her craft making with a determination to succeed. Latreese has made calligraphy cards, picture frames, padded albums, seasonal bears, designed t-shirts, socks, tennis shoes, tote bags, and handmade jewelry, among others. She also has an impressive Beanie Babies Collection. Latreese believed in looking your best at all times no matter how bad you felt. She set her goals and methodically accomplished each one.

The University of Michigan College of Engineering in Ann Arbor, Michigan, granted a posthumous Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering to our daughter. The graduation ceremony was held on April 27, 2002 at the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. We (her parents) adorned the traditional graduation cap and gown and walked on stage and accepted her college degree. We are very proud of our daughter’s accomplishments.

In memory of our daughter, we started the Latreese Nicole Fagan Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc.. Latreese was the epitome of hard work, strong determination, strong faith and a strong desire to succeed. This scholarship fund is designed to assist other lupus patients who exemplify the same traits as Latreese in their desire to get their college education. Latreese realized what it meant to work hard for something and to reach the goals that she had set. We can stand up and feel so proud of our daughter’s legacy. She earned her success!

The longer-range goal of the Latreese Fagan Scholarship Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. is to help lupus patients not only with their academic pursuits, but some of their personal problems. This is a very complex disease to fight and it can consume every emotional and physical fiber. We have asked the Lord to bless this organization so that it can help many more lupus patients. We need your financial help to enable us to reach our goals. Your contributions are tax deductible. We need contributors who are willing to donate on a one-time basis as well as regularly.

God bless all of you,

Edgar & Bettye Fagan