Mile 96

From the time she was seven or eight years old, Archell James, now 18, remembers always having health challenges. She would intermittently feel dizzy, and complain of headaches and abdominal pain. But in March 2024, something felt different. Archell began experiencing severe body aches, overwhelming fatigue, and a high fever. ​

​Living in Baton Rouge at the time, she was referred to Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans. Archell was admitted to the hospital the night she arrived, and within a couple of days there was a confirmed diagnosis – she had lupus. Lupus is autoimmune chronic disease that causes inflammation and pain throughout the body. She was suffering from a condition that would require careful monitoring and daily medication for the rest of her life. ​

​After doctors developed a plan of care, she started medicine to keep her symptoms under control. Archell has experienced minor lupus flare ups, but nothing as severe as her original symptoms that sent her to the hospital in the first place. “I do have side effects from the medication: mostly mood swings, weight fluctuation, and some skin irritations. But I’m handling it without a problem.” ​

​For the first year after her lupus diagnosis, Archell had monthly visits and now she has follow-up visits every three months at the multidisciplinary lupus clinic where she sees both rheumatology and nephrology teams for ongoing care. Lupus hasn’t stopped her from living her life, and now, Archell is working hard to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in pre-cardiopulmonary science. She aspires to be a pediatric cardiac sonographer, or a respiratory therapist.