Hospitals have become familiar places- Beatrice shares her experience after being diagnosed with lupus

Beatrice Awange in her office at ITEC Engineering in Yaya Centre, Nairobi. Photo: Jenipher Wachie/ Standard

The only time other time I had ever been hospitalised in my life was when I gave birth to my two children through caesarian sections. But since five years ago, hospitals have become familiar places.

In December 2011, sudden pains assailed my joints. They hurt so much that I wasn't able to make merry with my family members on Christmas day. My mum saw how much pain I was in and recommended that I see an orthopedist. He carried out some tests. They all came out negative for arthritis and recommended a steroid medication meant for aches.