Support Abigail’s Lupus Journey

My sister, Abigail Pickens, a beautiful 19-year-old from Atlanta, Missouri, was recently diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis. This is a condition where her own body is attacking her kidneys. Upon this diagnoses Abigail’s life has been turned upside down. On top of this she is experiencing constant pain in her stomach which the source of is unknown. We have teams working on these issues to try and get her more information and pain relief. Abby is known to her family, friends and community as a vibrant, smart, faithful, and ambitious college freshman with a very bright future ahead. She recently began her first year at Georgia College and was thriving with her roommates and college friends. With her newly found condition she will have no immune system and will be on multiple antibiotics weekly. She is currently being treated at SLU and a treatment plan is being formed by her medical team, but it will be a long, painful and expensive road to recovery. Her treatment plan will take all her energy and strength, leaving her susceptible to infection and further illness. Because of this, her doctors have recommended a medical withdraw from her courses and that decision has honestly been the hardest on her. She had just started her life in college with her roommates and classes and it devastates her to have to pack up her dorm and leave it all behind. But she is hopeful to be able to pick back up once she enters remission. Due to withdrawing from school she will lose her medical insurance. Her medicine is very expensive and due to the 45+lbs she gained in 9 days she can’t fit into any of her clothes; therefore we’ll have to get her new ones. We thank you all for any help thank you can give during this time. She has filed for benefits but that may take 6-12 months before she is even considered. She cannot be in contact with others and will not be able to work either as she will be so weak. She will be relocating to Missouri to live with her family, so they can assist her with this care. They are predicting this treatment to work and for her to hopefully be in remission anywhere in the next 6-12months if all goes well. During remission and for the rest of her life she will have to take maintenance medication to deal with these issues. She will be unable to attend school online or work during her treatment period and will be sleeping most of the time. She is having a positive mindset and on the long road to getting healthy. Abigail is getting through this life change with the support of her friends and family while putting her faith in God’s plan. We are asking for spiritual and financial help through this process. Prayers and well wishes are always appreciated. All funds received will be used to ease the financial burden of medical bills, hospital stays, travel expenses, and necessary treatments. We thank you all for any help that you can give including sharing this post!