Welcome
First Episode
'FREE' Statistical Consulting
YOU DON'T LOOK SICK!!!
"Imagine" ( A Poem)



Welcome

Hello and welcome to my HOME PAGE!!! I thought I'd use two of my favorite pictures of myself during the time I was still part of the generally 'healthy' public. Fate then stepped in and I became part of a new significant population of persons 'living' with a disability.

Since the onset of my illness, I have had to deal with a great number of challenges which has led me to discover and somewhat accept a new and different outlook on life. One purpose of this page is to share this new outlook with others in a similar situation as myself. I don't intend it as a counseling guide to other chronically ill people, just a presentation of somewhat new and different ideas which you may choose to accept, reject, or even modify to fit your needs and beliefs. As for an other purpose, this, thank God has been my therapy.


First Episode

During the summer of 1992, I noticed myself exhibiting symptoms of extreme fatigue which soon developed into full-blown arthritis. Having graduated with my bachelor's degree just six months earlier, I decided to take a year off working only part-time. I had no health insurance, and it didn't seem practical paying around $100 a month for health insurance since I had been a very healthy person for over 22 years.

After a little research, I suspected lyme disease, but to get tested, I needed a doctor's orders. After seeing a general practitioner and explaining all my symptoms, he was able to recognize it as either the possibility of being Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or Rheumatoid arthritis. He referred me to Rheumatologist Dr. Jeffrey Ritter of the Center for Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of one of the greatest strongest partnerships I was ever to be involved in.

The most difficult period of my life now began. I traveled to Hong Kong for ten days just a week after meeting Dr. Ritter who was prepared to officially diagnose me with SLE. I fell ill in Hong Kong and required medical attention due to high fevers. Upon arriving back home, I was hospitalized within a week. This was the start of my first serious flare. (Note: For a more detailed description of this period go to "YOU DON'T LOOK SICK!!!")

Unable to work and completely confused as to being seriously ill for the fist time in my life, I moved back home and my mother became my caretaker. I have a large family who also helped care for me around the clock.

Then the additional complications of Social Security, creditors, and hospital bills started. I spent an incredible amount of energy trying to resolve these problems myself, instead of solely concentrating on my health.

Please take my advice, immediately get a lawyer to apply for your disability benefits. This process will take approximately six months to a year because in most cases you will be denied at least once.

Don't challenge your personal integrity by discussing your health with creditors. Send what you can, and put one simple statement on your credit report informing creditors that your present situation involves a serious health setback.

Anytime you go to a hospital for treatment, try to be as aware as possible (RECORD EVERYTHING) of every person you are treated by, and all treatments you receive.

Since I had no insurance, I went to a major public hospital in Miami. I left that hospital anemic because nursing students kept coming in to get blood, and I was too weak and confused to monitor it.

Yet the worst part was the massive confusion in the billing system. Due to some programming error, my first bill for a six-day stay was $89,000. Again after expending an unreasonable amount of time and energy trying to find the right department who could help, the error was the billing in pharmacy. I received two shots of a medicine called 'neuprogen' at a cost of $41,000 for each dose.

Well now trying to inform the proper department, and still getting more serious symptoms of lupus and side effects from all the meds I was taking, a lot of time had passed. I finally had a sheriff come to my door presenting me with a subpoena. The hospital was suing me for $89,000.

I do regret the amount of stress and worry I placed on the financial aspects during my first episode of SLE, but I was able to transfer my anger into community service. I spent a lot of time researching the illness. Two main points came across very clear. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is (in general) a minority woman's disease and hence is not a major research issue. Also the long term effects of prednisone was not being significantly assessed in treatment of young patients with SLE.

I made six public appearances discussing lupus. Four were at different chapters of the Lupus Foundation of America meetings , one at my old high school, and one at a weekend Catholic retreat I attended.



As time passed, I began working as a Library aide, then as a math tutor at FIU. I began preparing for a career in Actuarial Sciences, but them decided I was well enough to attempt to go away to graduate school. It was now the middle of 1996.


'FREE' Statistical Consulting

I am finishing up my first year of graduate study in Applied Statistics at Florida State University. Due to my most recent episode, my summer employment will involve working mostly out of the computer in my home. I want to prepare for an at-home career in Statistical research (Sociological-General, Medical, or Criminal) or consulting. So if any potential employer wants 'FREE' Statistical Consulting, I invite you to throw some projects my way this summer (after May 15). I would consider the experience, potential recommendations and/or employment as compensation. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics and Sociology/Anthropology from Florida International University. I am proficient in S-plus and SPSS.


"YOU DON'T LOOK SICK!!!"

For persons who do not have to make periodic adjustments in life due to chronic illnesses, my words and pictures probably won't help in understanding how much physical suffering actually takes place. I understand the possible confusion and hope the you can consider the following .

Lupus has been dubbed as a "hidden disability" , because the average sufferer does not look ill. My first symptoms were an unusual fatigue, painful arthritis, and then about a months worth of very high fevers (up to 105 F) with in itself brought a lot of complications such as endless vomiting, coma-like state, and ulcers (skin and digestive). Since then my personal history with this disease involved (or involves) the pain, test procedures, treatments, and medicine side effects associated with abnormal inflammation of the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, muscles, ligaments, arthritis, rheumatism, anxiety, depression, severe mood swings, ocular migraines, migraines, tension headaches, Irritable bowel syndrome, gingivitis, and alopecia. I think that covers most of it.


"IMAGINE" ( A poem)

 Imagine walking through a minefield. After the fist blow you become relatively conscious, yet you have to keep walking. The further you get, the more confident you feel. You decide to walk faster and carry on more responsibilities. Then comes another blow, and the damage is done. You keep walking. When will the next blow come? How much more damage will it cause? Will it be the final one?

Imagine taking that walk for the rest of your life.

Imagine the possibility of not being the possessor of your mind. All your thoughts, feelings, and emotions which direct your actions, decisions, and statements, not belonging to you but to a scientist's beaker.

Imagine being the product of that scientist's laboratory for the rest of your life.

Imagine having one of the most intricate, complex ,and powerful friends in the world, your defense system. Now that friend has become and enemy and can attack you with the same concentrated intensity as it is capable of. This turnover has shifted defense to offense, and will turn back again and again, but you will never know when.

Imagine having this friend as a nemesis for the rest of your life.

If you can truly imagine these three things, then you know what it feels like to have Lupus.

Karla Mutuc
May 23, 1994


I want send out special thanks to Bob, Arlyn, Melissa, Amy, Stuart, Stephen, John and my 'guardian angel' Dmitri for my being able to cope so well and remain in good spirits during my most recent flare. Thank you all so much for your support and understanding.