Lupus

For this unit of this course was called body my class and I were assigned to choose a disease that someone has or know that you can interview. I chose to interview my sister because she was recently diagnosed with Lupus. As I did some research I kind of figured what were some symptoms and affects to this disease so it made it more easier for me to introduce this disease. What I learned from this Action Project was that it's actually not a great feeling to go through any disease. Which I knew, but,  this interview made me really realize how much change a disease can do to a persons life. A disease that will never go away, if it doesn't have a cure. It's just hard to think about, hard to think about the struggles in your life, hard to know that your not going to be able to do things like before. What I am really proud of is doing the interview with the right person which was my sister that I love dearly. I learn so much more and now I understand so much more than just what is pain. I wish I could walk in her shoes to feel what she feels when she is in pain.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that happens when your body immune system attacks your own tissue and organs. The inflammation that occurs in the body can affect lots of the body's organs and systems like the kidneys, brain, lungs, brain vessels, blood cells, joints and heart. These organs and systems play a big part of Lupus that increase the risk of getting cancer. Lupus is really hard to diagnose, but some signs of Lupus are fevers, butterfly facial rash, chest pain, shorten of breath, dry eyes, joint pain stiffness and swelling, headaches, confusion and memory loss. Lupus is not contagious, some people are just born with the tendency of developing Lupus. It can be triggered by certain drugs, infections and sunlight. When my sister was diagnosed with Lupus, my family and I were confused because no one had Lupus in the family. We didn't even know what was Lupus, until we were present on days that lupus activated in my sister's daily life. Her body over night will swell up making her unable to get up from bed because of the swelling and pain on her joints all over her body. She, sometimes had to stay still to breath, because she was short of breath all the time. My sister's fingers, were always a problem because in different occasions her fingers won't go up or down because of the stiffness on her fingers. While sleeping during the day or at night, she will get chest pain that would tighten up her chest that would make her out of breath also. When the family will go out to the beach sunlight was also a problem for her because she had to shower herself in sun block before going all the time. From night to day her parts of her face will get very red and slightly itchy. Her feet will swell really bad too, like if she was pregnant. This disease really changed my sisters lifestyle and the family because now we have to be precocious of everything and always be with her on her bad times. Some treatments that she is taking are insulin and pills for her diabetes and more pills that control the high blood pressure. She has taken chemotherapy only once for the first time in her life. During chemo it effected her eye, which busted one of her eye vain which was very painful.

Key Vocabulary

Kidneys: Lupus can cause serious kidney damage, having kidney failure is one of the leading causes of death, people with lupus. Having kidney failure, they’re also symptoms.

Lungs: Lupus can affect the lungs which will result as, chest pain and shorten of breath but very painful. Having Lupus can also increase chances of inflammation in the lungs

Heart: Lupus can also increase the chances of inflammation in your heart muscles, heart membrane and arteries. Also, you can increase serious heart attacks as well. Sharp chest pain which slows down your heart beats and blood

Interview Questions & Response


Q1: How has this disease changed your life?

R: Lupus has changed my life drastically, emotionally and physically.


Q2: Have you had any follow up disease, after being diagnosed? If yes, which ones?

R: Yes, high blood pressure and diabetes because lupus effects the internal organs little by little.


Q3: What went through your mind when being told you were diagnosed with the disease?

R: The first thing in mind was that I was going to die, I thought that there was not going to be a cure for it and that it was going to consume me very slowly.


Q4: What were your first symptoms that made you get immediate help?

R: I noticed that my finger tip were getting swollen, warm and painful.


Q5: What treatments or medication have you taken?

R: I have taken 1 dose of Chemotherapy. The medication that I am taking now are Prenazone, Vitamin c & d, Plaquenil, and Micro Phenolate.

JR.  Human Body Of  Lupus. Photography. 2014

What Is freedom?

For my first action project for this course called politics I was assigned to choose a question, interview some friends and family members, and ask for their opinions. My question that I asked was "What Is Freedom?" I chose this question because I thought that It would be very interesting to hear what people's responses were. My topic seemed easy at first, but then it got a little hard trying to write the script. What I learned in this unit was about Socrates and how he lived trying to find someone wiser than he. I learned about his Socratic Method which was the method that Socrates was using for the students he was teaching. It was individual discussions between two people and asking questions. He wanted them to think critically, come up with ideas, and ask questions to the public. The reason why people thought it was bad, was teaching his students about his Socratic Method and teaching them to go out and ask question was uncomfortable for some people. So his students eventually did what his Socratic Method was about and those student’s parents didn't like the fact that their kids were asking them questions and going out to the public and asking people questions. As I interviewed people, I learned that there's more to just freedom than just being free. I heard a lot of responses that were all very great. There  were ones that stood out to me a lot, I liked that everyone had their own definition of freedom.

JR, EGB.  What is freedom video. 2014

Here is my script of the video

Characters:

Haley:Elizabeth (Character 1)
Jordan:Jamilet (Character 2)
Filmed: 2/10/15
Topic: Freedom


Haley: Hey Jordan, how are you?

Jordan: Hey Haley, I am fine how are you?

Haley: That is great Jordan! I am super good.

Jordan: Oh Cool! You seem excited about something. What is it, Haley? Come on, tell me!

Haley: Well, they made a student council group at our school. Which means we will have more freedom. Are you joining? I am.

Jordan: I do not know, do you think that joining will give us more freedom? What is freedom anyway?

Haley: Freedom is to be free, you can do whatever you want. Just join, it will be fun, trust me.

Jordan: Everybody knows that freedom is to be free and have the ability to do whatever you want, but I do not think that joining the group will give you more freedom. Do you think that the students will really be free Haley?

Haley: Yes, Jordan, because the students will not be controlled by a higher power. We will all share our thoughts and we will be able to voice our opinions without negative consequences.

Jordan: Okay, but you can do that independently without being in student council. Do you not have that ability already?

Haley: You are right! But joining will make me feel good and content.

Jordan: Hmm.. Well, if you feel good and content does that make you free?

Haley: Not just feeling good, but the ability to create your own contentedness and goodness, that is freedom.

Jordan: So having the right to create your own contentedness and goodness, that is freedom?

Haley: Well, if they join, they will probably be able to feel the same way. Not only will we have freedom, but we will not be overpowered, we will be able to do what we believe is right. We can do whatever we want without any judgement.

Jordan: Yes! But, do you not have that ability already? Yes, freedom gives you plenty of opportunities but it does not mean you have to join a group to receive more freedom.

Haley: You do have a point, maybe I do not need to...

Jordan: Yes!

Haley: Thank you for helping think through that, Jordan. Now I see I can exercise freedom in more ways than student council.

Jordan: You are welcome Haley! I am glad you understand what freedom is. Bye!

Haley: Bye Jordan!