The Lupus Card

I hate playing the lupus card. I never do. Except maybe when I want my sister to bring my ice cream or my daddy to make me breakfast in bed. But mostly, I try not to use it as an excuse for getting into or out of things.

But I played it a few weeks ago.

I get really cold, and often it hurts. I use an electric blanket 12 months out of the year to keep me warm and relatively pain-free. I’ve had mine for a few years and absolutely love it. At the beginning of the year, it died. At some point between when I went to bed one night and went to nap the following day, it decided to be done. I was very sad, and also hurting more than usual.

Quickly, I googled the company for warrantee information and emailed them, asking for a replacement. Two days passed and still no reply. Getting desperate, I pulled out my deck of cars. In another email, I wrote, “My blanket power died. I have a chronic illness and use my blanket to manage pain. Please let me know as soon as possible when I can get it replaced.” I got a phone call in under an hour.

Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do to take care of yourself. Even if it means pulling out that 53^rd card from the deck.