10/10/2025
6 months ago, I was diagnosed with a rare respiratory illness called Tuberculosis. At the time I wasn’t willing to share as it was a complete shock that I had the illness because as a young child I was vaccinated against the illness and the illness rarely effects Australian-born people. Over time, I have slowly shared the diagnosis with my loved ones. Today, I got the all clear that I am fully cured and have made a full recovery! To put into perspective how rare this illness is, in Australia there is approximately 1300 cases reported each year with most cases reported being someone who was born overseas. The Royal Melbourne Hospital have put my diagnosis as a case of bad luck and being immunosuppressed didn’t help my case! Over the last six months, I have taken approximately 1500 tablets to treat the illness (this doesn’t include any changes to my lupus medication) - there has been a lot of frustration, crying, laughing, ups and downs but I got through it.
Thank you to everyone, you know who you are. To those that visited me when I was really sick in hospital and at home, who called me to chat, checked in on me, to those at work who supported my return, the RMH doctors and nurses and to those who took me to my monthly hospital appointments- it has taken a large army people to get me through this and I really appreciate it!
Lupus warriors, whenever it gets hard turn to the people who care for you, it helps you so much get through the tough time! Here to better things and to TB getting lost! 👌Have a celebratory juice for me 🧃