Thirteen years after she was sure she had received a death sentence, Tongaat mother Mogie Padayachee has turned her life around.

With World Lupus Day on May 10, Mogie spoke to the Courier about her experience with the disease and how it has changed her life.

As part of her determination to fight back, Mogie has achieved 3 university degrees in psychology.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system loses the ability to differentiate between healthy tissue and foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses.

This means that Mogie’s body began to attack itself, leading to joint pain, inflammation, confusion, debilitating fatigue and often depression as well.

It can also lead to kidney failure, blood disorders and increased risk from other illnesses and diseases, which is particularly worrying in the context of a global pandemic.

“We often do not want to leave our homes at the best of times but we have had no choice but to be overly cautious since the advent of Covid-19,” she said.

Mogie was diagnosed at 38 after a number of misdiagnoses which is a common theme for those with the disease.

“It’s called Lupus because that is Latin for wolf. It is the disease which hides in sheep’s clothing, rarely presenting symptoms but leaving those afflicted in constant pain.”

Mogie had past experience with the disease as her sister passed away from Lupus-related complications in 2004.

Although undiagnosed, Mogie also suspects that her mother suffered from Lupus as she often reported similar symptoms in the latter half of her life.

Following her own diagnosis however, Mogie was forced to change her lifestyle completely.

“Originally I just wanted to cry because I saw what happened to my sister. I am a single parent to 3 boys and I just realised it’s up to me to decide to live.”

First, she left her 8-5 job and took a more flexible position which could accommodate the days when she could not leave her bed.

Then it was time to follow her passion and Mogie has since earned a master’s degree in psychology with plans to study for a PhD.

This was made possible with the support of her family, who often had to deal with the lows that came with Mogie’s diagnosis.

“My boys have been amazing and they quickly learnt that sometimes they would have to cook and do chores around the house because I just couldn’t.”

Similarly, her sisters have seen first hand what Lupus can do and have stepped in on many occasions as needed, she said.

Mogie hosted a Lupus support group in Tongaat before the pandemic and plans to restart when normality resumes.

“There are almost 100 ladies (who the disease more commonly targets) that I am in contact with countrywide via WhatsApp. The sense of community really helps.”

For now, however, Mogie continues to chase her dream and beat her diagnosis, one day at a time.

If you suffer from Lupus and would like to join the support group, you can contact Mogie on 060 908 4484.