Michelle Gadsden-Williams always hoped and dreamed that she would one day grow to be successful. The diversity expert, author, philanthropist, and Accenture lead executive has worked for years to carve a winning professional reputation for herself through dedication and strategic planning. What she didn’t plan for was a Lupus diagnosis in the prime of her career.
In late 2005, the senior executive constantly found herself feeling flu-like symptoms while in meetings and seeking relief through over-the-counter meds for months. When the medicine stopped working and her body started to feel worse, she knew something was really wrong.
“I started to really listen to my body when I found myself not being able to get out of bed some mornings,” Gadsden-Williams said.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by Lupus can affect many different body systems — including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. This devastating diagnosis came at an interesting time in Michelle’s life.
“I was at the pinnacle of my career at the time and I was working in the pharmaceutical industry. I was the Global Chief Diversity Officer, my husband had just retired, we were packing up our home and moving to Switzerland. It was the job and opportunity of a lifetime and we were certainly looking forward to it. Then, in July of 2006, I was faced with the diagnosis that I have lupus. It really turned my world upside down. My health was paramount; it had to be first and foremost. Commuting to Switzerland almost every week from New Jersey just wasn’t healthy. I had to make some very tough choices in terms of my career. I wrestled with the decision to tell my employer: if I told them, would they think I was fragile? If I didn’t tell them, would my symptoms manifest themselves in a way that people would notice?”
Michelle said she had to do some self-reflection in terms of what was most important to her.
“I had put my career first and foremost up until that point, but now I had to take a step back and I decided that if I didn’t have my health, I couldn’t have a career.” She said she decided to tell her boss at the time, and he was nothing but supportive.
“My next challenge was to rethink and re-engineer how I managed my professional life and put myself first and foremost, and my career second since the disease was going to shift everything in my life, especially since I didn’t know much about it.”
Lupus can be difficult to diagnose because it’s signs and symptoms often mimic those of other ailments.
It also affects its patients uniquely. Signs and symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be temporary or permanent. Most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes — called flares — when signs and symptoms get worse for a while, then improve or even disappear completely for a time.
“This disease is still extremely mysterious,” said Gadsden-Williams. “It took several months to be properly diagnosed and even with that, there’s no cure.”
Although the disease can be difficult to pin down, there are clear symptoms that are identified with Lupus.
The signs of lupus that are experienced will depend on which body systems are affected by the disease. The most common include:
fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling and a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body, fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud’s phenomenon), shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, headaches, confusion and memory loss.
Be sure to consult a physician if an unexplained rash, ongoing fever, persistent aching or fatigue develops.
Because of the draining effect of the disease, it can often affect Lupus survivors at work. Gadsden-Williams offers some advice for powering through Lupus.
“Don’t suffer in silence,” she said. “Tell your colleagues about your diagnosis so they can know how to help you if needed.”
She also shared how important her diet, exercise, and emotional wellness are when managing the disease.
“When I was diagnosed, I enlisted the help of celebrity wellness coach, AJ Johnson to counsel me through this new normal,” she said. “Through my support system and a commitment to striving for balance, I’m able to be the best version of myself every day.”
To find out more about Michelle’s journey, read her book Climb.
Jasmine Browley holds an MA in journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and has contributed to Ebony, Jet and MADE Magazine among others. So, clearly, she knows some stuff. Follow her digital journey @JasmineBrowley.