Day in your life 003 - Kayla Supnet - Sacramento Ca - SDE
For Day In Your Life 003, I documented Kayla Supnet. This one played a huge role and a different perspective on the ways I look at life. Before I document someone, I usually stay over the night and plan ahead on what to expect for my project. I basically go over a few things on why I do this and basically break it down. Kayla was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 16 and fighting everyday. For those who dont know what Lupus is let me break it down for you;What is Lupus?
Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.
What are some facts about Lupus?
- Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
- Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
- Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
- Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
- Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.
- It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
- Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
- Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
- People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
- More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.
For those who are more visual learners, here's a vid from Youtube I found on Lupus.
Most importanly what I found out which was very shocking, Lupus is not curable.
The night before, I heard Kayla in pain. All you heard was crying non stop and it was unbearable to hear her cry from the pain. Your her friend and you want to do something so bad to help her, but there's nothing you can do, but support and comfort her the best way possible. After 15 minutes had passed, everything seemed to be fine. After a while, the pain had struck back at Kayla again. All you hear again is her crying from the pain which is unbearable to hear.
The next day everything seemed fine, but unfortunately we had to go to Stockton, Ca which was about 45 minutes away from Sacramento, Ca to go to the doctors for a blood test to make sure everything would be fine. Thank God, everything went well. I had the chance to photograph her while her blood was being drawn even though I'm queasy upon those things. Through out the whole day, went fine. There were certain times I had notice Kayla's mood would change. It's one of the side effects from the medicine she takes which is mood swings.
I was told from Chris that the pain Kayla was enduring that night from a scale from one through ten was a two to three. I felt it was more of a eight to nine from what I had heard and seen. Documenting Kayla has been probably one of the greatest and possibly the top ten blog entries I have done in the years doing this. It's not something everyday you would come across, especially one thats your friend. This Day In Your Life has taught me more to appreciate life and thank God that you aren't suffering from what others have to suffer from. Enjoy life as it comes and stay positive.
I just wanna say Thank You to Chris & Kayla for taking there time for letting me document and do one of my projects this year. When I asked Kayla what do you think about me doing this? Kayla responded and said "It's an honor." When she said that, that made my day to be honest. Kind words goes a very long way. Enjoy.
The remaining photos are regular blog photos.
055 of 365 || Story on my Flickr.
