Moonwalk: Chapter 17 

As told to Rochel Samet

The sun is so bright.

Ma opened the curtains this morning, letting light flood into my prison cell – my bed. I squint, shift position, wince from pain.

It’s been two days since I woke up with the lower half of my body on fire, and “improvement” means I can shuffle down the hallway and back. No stairs.

I hear quick footsteps and voices, and my parents appear.

“The rheumatologist just called,” Ma says. “She may have some answers for us… we have an appointment with her this afternoon.”

It’s funny, I’ve waited so long to hear those magic words – may have some answers – but now, in the moment, I’m too burnt to believe it.

*

Dr. Parker looks at me through her glasses. Her eyes are hazel and kind. “Well, Libby, I have some news for you.”

I’m not sure if I’m meant to respond, but she is quiet, so I nod. That seems to be the right response, because she shuffles her papers and continues.

“Based on your current symptoms, and indications in the bloodwork, we have arrived at a clear answer.” She pauses. “Your joints are swollen and warm to touch, you’ve been feeling fatigued for months, the inflammatory markers in your blood are high and both the ANA and Anti-DS-DNA are highly positive.”

I don’t understand anything she’s saying. Is this the news? That I’m fatigued and my joints hurt?

Her voice becomes significant. “So altogether, this makes it pretty clear. Libby, you have a condition called lupus.”