IPPF eQuarterly

If anyone would have told me four years ago that I would be writing this narrative, I would not have believed them. My name is Susan Gonzales and I was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) in February of 2006. I was so sick by the time of this my diagnosis and my feeling of despair and hopelessness was all consuming.  This PV diagnosis, as frightening as it was, was welcome as I had bounced from doctor to doctor and had test after test, for eight months with no answers as to what was happening to me.

Finally, a new group of doctors put a name to this disease that was attacking my body. A disease whose name was as frightening as the lesions that covered my throat, the inside of my mouth and had now began on my lips. As I look back, it was much easier to deal with this disease when the lesions were confined to my throat and mouth. Being in outside sales, on a day when I could muster enough strength to meet with a client, they may have suspected  that I did not feel well, but never knew why. But, a new level of anxiety overcame me when the lesions began appeared on my lips. The looks and stares from people were hurtful. I just wanted to hide.