Jesse's Angels \\ Fight Lupus Bowl-a-thon \\ Fighting for a Cause Photographer

Jesse's Angels

Bowl-A-Thon 2012

Meet Jesse, She is one part of the loving sister Duo with Jennifer Trimmer Photography. She has a great Boyfriend and loving Step Son. Every time I see Jesse she has a Bright and Warming Smile. But something that doesn't always show on the outside is Jesse's "passenger". 

Jesse has Lupus!

What is Lupus?

 Lupus, an autoimmune disease, happens when the immune system attacks its tissues, causing inflammation, swelling, pain, and damage. Lupus symptoms vary, and early lupus symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, fever, and a lupus rash, especially after being in the sun. Familiarize yourself with pictures of the lupus rash. Doctors diagnose lupus by symptoms and blood tests. Lupus is not contagious but has a hereditary component, so family health information is important.

(WedMD.com)

Can you Cure Lupus?

Not Yet, but with continued help from walkers & donors like you and me, we can help the research teams learn more and possible sure this ugly disease 

How is Lupus Treated?

Initial treatment

The goal of treatment for mild lupus is to prevent symptom flares-when fatigue, joint pain, and rash get worse. Maintain a schedule of regular checkups with your doctor, instead of waiting until your disease flares. When flares do occur, the goal is to treat them rapidly to limit any damage to body organs.

Treatment for mild lupus includes:

• Avoiding the sun. If you must be in the sun, cover your arms and legs, wear a hat, and apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (covering both UVA and UVB rays) with a high sun protection factor (such as SPF 50) to protect your skin.
• Applying corticosteroid cream for rashes.
• Taking acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and getting plenty of rest for mild joint or muscle pain and fever.
• Taking antimalarial medicines, especially for skin rashes, but also for fatigue and joint and muscle pain.
• Taking low-dose corticosteroids if NSAIDs aren't effective in controlling your symptoms.

For more severe cases of lupus, treatment may include:

• Higher-dose corticosteroids, either in pills or by injection.
• Medicines that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants).

People with lupus have a greater risk of heart attack and stroke than people without lupus. To help prevent heart attack and stroke, your doctor will help you manage risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Good self-care is essential to managing lupus. A healthy lifestyle may reduce the frequency and severity of flares, resulting in an improved quality of life. Good self-care also helps decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. Self-care includes:

• Regular exercise.
• Education about lupus and self-care.
• Not smoking.
• Eating a healthful, balanced diet.
• Developing a support system of family, friends, and health professionals.

Treatment for the skin rash that many people develop with lupus starts with sunscreens, sun avoidance, and clothing to protect skin from the sun. If needed, Medicines may include antimalarials, corticosteroid creams and pills, and retinoids such as acitretin. Some treatments work for some people but not for others, and some treatments may have long-term side effects. More research is needed to determine which of these treatments is safest and most effective.

For more treatment information Click Here

Want to know more of Jesse's Store?

Here amazing Big sister took the time to make an educational Video just for the Fans of Jesse's Angels. It can be found here,

Jesse's Story

Now back in August I was honored to be asked for my time in photographing the amazing fundraising event that Team Jesse's Angels held at Bowl America in Sandston. Here are just a few of the images that I was so lucky to get.

My Personal Fight with Lupus:

I am the kind of Business owner that tries to hard to keep my Personal life and Business life separate, but this time it can't be done. My Family has been affected by this passenger more than once. 

My Mother has been living with Lupus for 10+ years and fighting every day. 

My Aunt has been living with Lupus for 20+ years.

& My Grandmother lost her life to Lupus in 1999.

So please take from this that Lupus is a very real and life taking disease. Just because someone looks ok on the outside it doesn't mean they are not fighting on the inside!

I am proud to support Jesse's Angels 100%

For more information on Team Jesse's Angels please check out the 

Lupus Foundation of America's Website

VA / DC / MD Chapter

Donate your time and your money to a really great Cause!