In Thiago, the heroine, India Monroe, has lupus, and it’s the first time I’ve written about a main character with a chronic illness. I’m familiar with lupus and its effects because I lost a male cousin to the disease, and my sister has been living with it for years. So, I’ve watched her suffer in the same ways India does.
Writing India’s journey meant showing the pain, the fatigue, and the frustration of living with the illness, but also the strength, the defiance, and the hope exemplified by many lupus warriors.
What Is Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which normally fights infections, attacks healthy tissue and organs. There are different types of lupus, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), the most common, which affects various systems in the body: joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood, and the brain. Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (CLE) affects the skin.
It can also mimic other illnesses, such as arthritis, leading to frequent misdiagnoses. Women, especially women of color, are disproportionately affected by lupus.
What Are the Symptoms of Lupus?
Symptoms can be ongoing or intermittent, varying in intensity. For instance, a patient might experience a flare-up today, which is a period of increased disease activity that can cause intensified inflammation and other symptoms in the body. Then weeks or months later, they may go into remission, a period when the signs of lupus are absent and there’s no need for medication.
The most common symptoms include:
- Extreme fatigue
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Sensitivity to sunlight
- Hair loss
- Mouth or nasal ulcers
- Kidney inflammation (also known as lupus nephritis)
- Chest pain or shortness of breath (if lungs or heart are affected)
- Neurological symptoms (headaches, cognitive difficulties)
Many people who have lupus hide their symptoms, pushing through tough days even when their body demands rest. Because it’s mostly invisible, a person may look fine and act fine while quietly suffering through the effects of the disease.
In the book, India’s mother had lupus, and she had been a silent sufferer. India herself was also guilty of this. One day, she wasn’t feeling well, and Thiago insisted she go home because he recognized she needed rest.
“Go home. You’re done for the day,” Thiago said, rising from the chair and walking away from the conference table.
“Excuse me?”
He turned to see the expression of disbelief on her face.
“I have way too much work to do—”
“You’re done, India.” He hated having to repeat himself.
Slowly, she rose from the chair and clasped her hands together. “Thiago, you’re being ridiculous.”
“I am the one being ridiculous?” he scoffed.
When she opened her mouth to protest, he stepped forward, staring into her eyes and daring her to argue with him. He didn’t mind their verbal sparring. He appreciated that she was no pushover, but he was not going to tolerate her stubbornness when it came to her health.
India sighed resignedly. “Fine. I’ll go.”
Is There a Cure for Lupus?
Sadly, there’s no cure for lupus, but traditional and nontraditional treatments are available to help patients manage their symptoms, allowing them to protect their organs and reduce flares. Many patients strive for a balance between preserving their quality of life and minimizing damage to their bodies.
Treatments & Coping Strategies
There are a number of drugs available to help lupus sufferers. Corticosteroids, like prednisone, suppress inflammation. Antimalarials like hydroxychloroquine help manage lupus symptoms in the long term. Then, of course, there are painkillers to address pain.
Outside of medications, patients find other ways to minimize symptoms. Resting, staying hydrated, low-impact exercise, and reducing stress can all help make life easier.
In Thiago, India chose yoga and walking as her low-impact exercise and used meditation as a stress reducer.
She had been in a constant battle of needing to rest but not wanting to succumb to the limitations of her body. It took time, but she learned to relax her mind, which helped tremendously, and meditated for fifteen minutes each afternoon.
Famous People Who Have Lupus
Lupus doesn’t discriminate. It affects people whether they’re rich or poor, famous or unknown.
Some well-known individuals who have helped shine a light on the disease include Selena Gomez, who underwent a kidney transplant, receiving the organ from one of her friends. Toni Braxton also suffers from the disease and has stated she rests in bed during flare-ups.
The singer Seal has a specific type of CLE called discoid lupus erythematosus, which caused the scars on his face. Nick Cannon also has lupus, which led to his kidneys failing (remember the pictures of him in the hospital?). He has mentioned that changing his diet helped.
Lupus in Romance Novels
It’s hard to find romance novels that specifically feature characters with lupus (as opposed to a chronic illness in general). But if you’re looking for more books with lupus rep, here are some that I found. In each of these books, the heroine has lupus.
In Pursuit of You by Stephanie Nicole Norris
As the owner of WTZB broadcast station, Avery Michele was determined to make her grandfather’s legacy thrive, even if her duties included being in front of the camera for Chicago’s hottest events.
However, Avery didn’t foresee catching the eye of one determined bachelor, Aerospace Engineer DeAndre Valentine. And after accepting his invitation to lunch, an unexpected craving for more than nutrition storms her with heat that takes her breath away. But with life outside of her profession shifting in the wrong direction, the thought of disappearing is the impetus that makes Avery run away from love.
Neevah Saint is a Broadway actress ready for the spotlight. After months as an understudy, this is her night to shine. She never imagined he would be in the audience. Canon Holt. Famous film director. Fascinating. Talented. Fine.
But forbidden attraction, scandal, and circumstances beyond Neevah’s control soon put her dream in jeopardy. Could this one shot—the role of a lifetime, the love of a lifetime—cost her everything?
32 Days in May by Betty Corrello
Nadia Fabiola wants to lose herself in Evergreen—the Jersey Shore town where she grew up vacationing with her family—and never look back at her glamorous, gainfully employed former self. After a shocking lupus diagnosis turned her life upside down, she’s desperate for a sense of control over her body, her life, and her mental health. Nadia plans on keeping her life small and boring, while continuing to ignore her sister’s relentless questioning.
When her rheumatologist not-so-subtly sets her up with his infamous former-actor cousin, Marco Antoniou, Nadia is skeptical. But Marco is gorgeous—despite carrying his own baggage from a very public burnout. After a messy (but fun) first date, they decide that a May-long fling could be just what the doctor ordered: no commitment, no strings, just one month of escape.
The Marriage Solution by Stephanie Rose
After an unexpected diagnosis and a run of bad luck, I’m officially down and out. That is, until my best friend of two decades offers me his name… and his health insurance. He’s always been gorgeous, but except for that drunken almost-kiss back in college, the only thing between us is friendship.
What’s a marriage of convenience between pals? Besides, Landon lives hundreds of miles away. Nothing has to change. Right?
Wrapped in Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan
Liam Montgomery will try everything once.
He started his career as a model and turned that opportunity into becoming a bestselling author.
The only thing he hasn’t tried is a steady relationship.
Not that he’s looking for one.
Arden Brady doesn’t get out much.
Living with lupus means sometimes her days aren’t her own. She’s lived her life to the fullest so far, but the one thing she’s never let herself do is fall in love.
Then comes Liam.
Lupus Resources
According to the Lupus Foundation, it’s estimated that 1.5 million people in the U.S. and 5 million around the world are living with lupus. Considering such high numbers, it doesn’t get talked about nearly enough! Writing a heroine with this disease is my small contribution to help build awareness.
If you or someone you love is fighting the lupus battle, there are resources available:
Conclusion
Through my sister, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges lupus warriors face: dealing with pain, struggling with fatigue, and fighting through the uncertainty of how their body will behave from day to day. But she’s also incredibly resilient and has refused to let lupus define her.
I wrote India the same way. You see her struggles, but you also see her strength. And you get to see her loved, deeply and passionately, by Thiago.
For more about their relationship, check out 6 reasons you’ll fall for Thiago Santana and What it’s like to love an alpha hole. And of course, purchase your copy of Thiago, a workplace romance with a billionaire hero and a lupus warrior heroine—to find out how they get to their happily ever after.
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Do you know of more romance novels with lupus rep? Share them in the comments.
2 Responses
Delaney, thanks for the extensive information about Lupus. I had a staff member years ago that had Lupus and I watched her suffer and struggle. The illness eventually claimed her life. I am more informed about this illness and its affects now than before so thank you again. I thoroughly enjoyed Thaigo and India’s story very much.
I’m sorry to hear about your co-worker. It’s truly a scary disease. One day you could be fine, and the next your body attacks you. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, Alice. ❤️