I am Cindy Zenon

She’s more than just a Warrior:

Cindy calls herself a doer and giver. She’s a certified personal trainer, a mentor, Life & Health Coach, mother and grandmother – and the owner of Time for Results Fitness, a fitness group geared to helping women discover how strong they are despite a size, age or illness.

She also hosts support groups for women that have been victims of sexual assault, crimes of violence, suicide and molestation.

When she was 22, she felt as if her world was going to slip away. Suddenly, after the birth of her son, it was painful to perform daily task, body aches, fevers, vomiting, constantly tired or sick.

Her symptoms included fibromyalgia, severe fatigue, fevers, sore throats, butterfly rash on the face and chest,hair loss, mouth ulcers, arthritis, lung and heart problems,unexplained bruising, weight loss/gain, fluid retention , brain fog, gastrointestinal issues such as severe C.V. and prolapse heart valve.

Years later, after she was diagnosed with LUPUS. Although African American women like herself have a greater risk of developing the disease, most haven’t heard of lupus, or know little about it. “Why isn’t lupus becoming a household name for women of color?” She wondered. Now, Cindy don’t wonder. Now she’s a full-fledged lupus warrior – even as she battles daily symptoms. Cindy participates in mentoring, 5k, obstacles courses, sister circle meetings and fitness coaching! But it took her many years to come to terms with her diagnosis and the fact that no one including the people close to her would understand her pain. Cindy had to overcome feeling ill and alone all at the same time. This lead to being diagnosed with anxiety and depression. Which the doctor stated lots of women with Lupus do develop.

Cindy Turpeau-Zenon also remember apologizing to her family in prayer for being ill and for wanting to spend more time alone recovering from daily task. But in time she found other lupus sisters, as well as perfectly healthy friends who became strong advocates and her top supporters. She managed to battle it all and is still here to tell other women that there is so more fight in us! There is no longer a reason to stay overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness and isolation when you first find out you have lupus. Reach out to another people.

Cindy’s voice combined with others is no longer an echo, but an instrument to move mountains!

The support is available through the Foundations, 4 A’s Sisters Lupus Club, doctors, friends and family. It can be like a door opening and thousands of people like you and her are standing on the other side, as though waiting for the next “Cindy.”

Cindy have been actively involved in the health and wellness industry to assist other women like herself and live every day to the fullest – whether it’s hiking with her family and friends or spending the day in bed.

Cindy later found that her pregnancy may have been a trigger for lupus flare, although lupus flared from that moment on, She’s thankful for her family.

Today, she is still hoping for a remission of all symptoms. CINDY family is doing well and have even become more compassionate.

At the end of the day, Cindy realized that allowing her circle to see her battle and fight whatever lupus brings her way is only going to prepare them for whatever life may bring to them as well.
Sometimes, that might be a healthy brownie or cupcake lol, a fitness day or a day in bed. Cindy just take it all one day at a time.

She’s a lupus warrior but more importantly She’s CINDY!

Her advice is to never judge because looks like YOU… Lupus looks like HER.

AcadianaStrong #FaithAndPurpose #CommunityLeadership #followerseveryone #lupus #everyone

Brent Malveaux

Guest Speaker for 4 A’s Sisters Lupus Club meeting on February 19th, a licensed Medicare agent, I help individuals and families confidently navigate their Medicare options with clarity and care.

My goal is to simplify what can feel overwhelming by providing honest guidance, personalized plan comparisons, and ongoing support—at no additional cost to you.

I believe Medicare decisions should be based on your health needs, budget, and long-term peace of mind, not pressure. I’m committed to educating my clients and advocating for coverage that truly works for their lives.

As a Medicare agent, I believe in serving others with honesty, wisdom, and compassion. Rooted in faith and guided by the principle of loving your neighbor, I am committed to helping clients understand their Medicare options clearly and choose coverage that brings peace of mind.

My goal is to serve—not sell—and to be a trusted resource you can rely on year after year. Busy

🐝

#followerseveryone #everyonehighlights #lafayettela

I am Shannon Kelly Mackie

diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus at age 13, 1983. I am now 55 years old. I attended to two different colleges for music University of South Alabama and had a full scholarship for Delta State University Music performance Major /Music therapist degree.

My lupus history… My Lupus was very active during my teenage years, so much that I had to almost drop out of high school. I was a “gifted “ student so my parents looked into enrolling me in the public school system. There I could stay home and receive a home school education. My lupus started to stabilize and I was able to go back to my catholic high school. Taking extra classes, I was able to graduate on time with my classmates. I felt very blessed to do this. I sang at our high school graduation, and I also won my high school Talent show! I felt like singing was my gift that would take me anywhere and it actually did.

Lupus has managed to attack every single organ in my body, one exception, it hasn’t attacked my liver. It’s been brutal on my heart and my lungs. age 21 it attacked my heart so badly, they had to drop 3 grams of steroids in my body iv over three days. It was brutal! 

I have noticed that my big flares where my lupus attacks my organs, every 6-8 years. These flares are bad, regardless of what I do, they still happen. It’s very discouraging, but I have learned that I have a God who is bigger than all of this, and in Him I have found comfort and peace. 

23 I moved to Los Angeles for my singing career. I was under the care of Dr Daniel Wallace, celebrity and expert rheumatologist. he kept me very healthy. I only suffered a few hospitalizations mainly because of stress and not knowing when to stop working. I was young and wanted to party and go go go. Unfortunately, you can’t drink alcohol and go like there’s no tomorrow when you have lupus.

At 31 I had to have a hip surgery, because my hip broke. All those steroids finally took a toll.
Age 35 lupus attacked both my kidneys and my heart. My heart had something called Libman-Sacks Endocarditis, and I had stage 4 class 3 lupus nephritis. I had to have open heart surgery to replace my heart valve with a mechanical heart valve, ( but when I was having a this surgery they didn’t know what was wrong with me, it was exploratory heart surgery) I didn’t have a heart valve left my cardio thoracic surgeon told me. He said divine intervention was what was keeping me alive. I was amazed that a heart surgeon was saying that. (I had a blood clot in my heart as a complication, and had my mom not been visiting me, I would have died. My rheumatologist managed to convince my cardiologist to let him start my chemo treatment for my kidneys while I was still in the hospital. After years of treatment my kidneys are back to normal 100% function, and my Nephrologist calls me his model Kidney Patient!

Today I just want to educate people about Lupus and ARDS.

Age 45 The experience that changed my life forever. I had started flaring about two years earlier, and I was on Rituximab, and all my other Lupus meds, plus my meds for fibromyalgia and Sjogren’s, and RA. when we had gone out of town to celebrate my husband’s birthday. I became so sick, I had to go back to the hotel room, and go to sleep. We went home the next day and I went to my doctor. I remember feeling very uneasy about this. I just had this feeling something wasn’t right. And it wasn’t. My condition kept deteriorating despite the antibiotics and the steroids and the shots that they gave me. I told my husband, and I never say this, “Take me to the ER!I feel like I am dying!” He’s sick too now. And he’s coughing . His parents have us in the car, they take him to his doctor while I wait, in the car, in the rain. Meanwhile, I am running a fever, and getting worse. He comes out. They said he has Pneumonia. We are finally headed to the ER. I’m immediately admitted to the hospital, I have pneumonia. That night I coded. I knew that I was dying. My lungs had filled with so much fluid I couldn’t breathe. My pulmonologist, a doctor who has known me since I was 20 years old, talked with my husband and I about putting me on a ventilator. We decided yes. I was in a coma for 5 weeks. In ICU for 16 weeks, intubated 3 different times including tracheotomy, and I was on a ventilator for almost 5 months. I had this all happen because we are susceptible to ARDS Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

I am still on continuous oxygen, and I am in end stage lung disease. I have now been diagnosed with the terminal disease Pulmonary fibrosis. I have been in a wheelchair since 2016. because of my lungs,and their inability to function properly. Every day I ask God to help me help others, and help me to be more understanding, to be a better version of myself, to be a better listener and a better friend . Today I just want to educate people about lupus and ARDS how did I NOT know about ARDS, something that changed my whole life forever?

I no longer have my powerhouse voice that people who heard me sing , used to say, you sound like Whitney Houston. I used to be angry about losing my lungs, and my ability to perform, and gain an income from my voice. God gave me a different voice. I found out that I cannot have a lung transplant because I would not survive the surgery, I place all my hope and trust in the Lord, since doing so I also found out that I am in end stage lung disease, but I also found out that my lupus was in remission! So God is good! Plus, my dear husband, with his wisdom, as my advocate, with everything I taught him, saved my voice by doing a tracheotomy Ladies and Gentleman who have any illness, please teach your other half how to advocate if you cannot speak for yourself! It’s so important!!!. So I can still sing, I just can’t sing loudly or hold notes for a long time. Life is different now, but it’s beautiful, and I am very grateful! 🙏🏼💜✝️

Don’t forget to check out Lupus Warrior Princess, is a lupus awareness page that I have run since 2012, but really been devoted to since 2016. I also have an on line support group since I have become bedridden, called Live with Lupus Warrior Princess. It’s really very helpful for those of us who may be hospitalized, or who are on oxygen or worse, in terrible health situations.

Meet Antoinette Thames

She is a retired preschool teacher of sixteen years. She has been living and thriving with Systemic Lupus Erythematous for over twenty years in Little Rock, Arkansas.
A volunteer and a lupus advocate spreading lupus awareness near and far. She is a Lupus Warrior and a Lupus Champion boxing lupus 365 days a year acclaiming God as her victory being everything she needs and more!
Her first lupus symptoms began at age nine.

After being misdiagnosed for over twenty- five years and four hip surgeries later she received a diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematous while being hospitalized for two weeks with chronic pain, fever of an unknown origin ,chronic urticaria and fatigue.

She stated, “Finally having an answer was welcomed after so many years of unanswered questions.”


At age twenty -nine Antoinette was diagnosed with a vascular necrosis of both hips a condition she developed from chronic steroid usage for treatment of chronic inflammation and joint pain.

She received hip surgeries at age twenty -nine bilateral core drillings to relieve the pain that she was suffering. The surgeries were not successful ,at the age of thirty she received total hip replacements in both hips . Still not having a diagnosis of lupus she continued with steroids to gain some relief from all the inflammation, joint pain and rashes. She developed hypertension and steroid induced diabetes. By the mercy and grace of God he allowed her to return to work after rehabilitation.

In 2010 she started having more problems with her hips and was forced to retire from her teaching position. In 2014she was diagnosed with metallosis a condition that she developed from the metal on metal hip implants that she had received in 2000. In January 2014 Antoinette had her fifth hip surgery and turned 45 in the hospital and once again went through rehab. Thankful that God taught her to walk again she never misses an opportunity to tell others of the Lemonade that God has made and continues to make in her life!

he medications that she received for pain after the surgery caused a new condition gastroparesis it slowed down the process of digesting food, stomach pain and not allowing food to stay down she was now losing unwanted weight!

In 2019 during a horrible lupus flare she proclaimed that people with lupus can live and thrive. It is during this time that she created the Lupus Champions Facebook group A support group dedicated to spreading and promoting lupus awareness. In this group we are encouraging help ,hope, healing, positively inspiring words, inspirational stories, resources and more !
We Are Living And Thriving With Lupus
One year …
One month …
One week…
One day ….
One hour …
One minute…
And one second at a time 💜❤️🥊❤️
In 2023 Antoinette had an occipital lobe stroke affecting her vision ,balance and her cognitively. After being hospitalized doctors discovered that she has a pea size blockage in her brain.

“I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know who holds tomorrow”, she stated !

When Life Gives You Lemons Let God Make The Lemonade.
Busy 🐝

everyone

followers

lupus

lupuslife

4 A’s Sisters Lupus Club

Meet Janay Townes

4 A’s Sisters Lupus Club April 2024 Spotlights
Janay Townes, born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, and later moved to Carney’s Point, NJ, when she was fourteen. Janay was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus kidney nephritis stage four in 2004, and she was only fifteen years old.

Not knowing that lupus causes a lot of underlying illnesses, throughout the years, she has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Avascular Necrosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Asthma, Anemia, Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), Fibromyalgia, Depression/Anxiety, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Severe Insomnia, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and severe Migraines.

She has had numerous surgeries and procedures such as Bilateral Hip Core Decompression, Left Hip Replacement, Right Shoulder Replacement, Gallbladder removal, Appendix removal, several Colonoscopies/Endoscopies, and removal of Cancer Cells, and soon will have her Right Hip Replaced.

She has been on every lupus medication/treatment, including multiple rounds of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, platelet transfusions, plasmapheresis, losing all her teeth, and being in full menopause by age thirty.

With all that she has going on with her many illnesses, she has remained a humble lupus warrior and is still standing despite what she has been through. Janay still has good and bad days, but no matter what, she wakes up every morning ready to defeat lupus and whatever else comes her way.

Having lupus is 365 days, 24/7 job, with NO days off. Janay started LupiesUnite (Founder) so people with lupus can have a voice and be heard. Many people are still ignorant about lupus. If only they knew what people with lupus go through daily, they would understand why lupus survivors are so vocal about Lupus Awareness.

Janay may have lupus, but lupus does not have her. Lupus will not bring Janay down. No matter how many times she may fall, she will get right back up and continue to fight, spread awareness, and educate the world about lupus.” Let’s show some love for Janay! 💓

Meet Carol A George-Perry

4 A’s Sisters Lupus Club recognize our March monthly Lupus Warriors. Meet Mrs. Carol A George-Perry who was diagnosed at 16 yrs old. This was late 80s when there was very little research on lupus. She had to move to Houston to seek treatment. The diagnosis turned her active lifestyle upside down.

Carol was told she should never have kids. She was told that pregnancy could kill her. Lupus didn’t know she had a praying grandmother. She has 4 beautiful sons. They were all healthy.

At age 52, Carol have now lived with Lupus longer than she has lived without. Carol have had some really difficult times. She always push through. Carol never succumb to the pain.

Carol is fortunate to live in NC now. She receives her care at Duke Rheumatology. She has been able to get off most of her medications. Only have an infusion monthly.

Quote, “I am happily married to my best friend. I love to travel”. She’s currently a Dental Territory Manager for a Federal Dental Plan.

Help us show Carol some 💕

Meet Carl Tart

4 A’s Sisters Lupus Club February’s Spotlight Carl Tart this month Lupus Warriors. Carl was diagnosed with lupus in 1995 when he was 14. Lupus stopped his athletic career and it causes him to have seizures and organ problems.

He’s originally from Connecticut but lives in South Carolina now. Dallas Cowboys Fan! NY Yankees fan! Phoenix Suns fan and the color of their jerseys is purple, lol.

He love kids, loves watching sports and really loves watching old school boxers like Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali. Carl works as a cook, he enjoys freestyle wrestling, he enjoys MMA, loves fitness training and lately he’s been utilizing a lot of vegan methods. Show Carl some love and let him know we are here for him all the time.

Meet Delebra Hudson

Delebra Hudson is a Louisiana native that is a passionate lupus advocate and public speaker dedicated to raising awareness and empowering those affected by this chronic autoimmune disease. Having personally battled lupus for 18 years , Delebra Hudson understands the physical and emotional challenges faced by individuals and their families. With a deep commitment to making a difference, I actively engage in community outreach programs, support groups, and educational initiatives to provide valuable information and support to those living with lupus. Through her compelling personal story and expert knowledge, Delebra Hudson aims to inspire hope and resilience in others facing similar struggles.

As a dynamic public speaker, Delebra Hudson has delivered impactful presentations at various local events, and shares her journey advocating for improved healthcare services, research funding, and patient rights. Delebra is also the founder of the Power of Purple a Lupus awareness event held in August. Delebra is also the Founder of the 1st annual Lupus Awareness Butterfly Ball held on January 27 th.

Delebra is also creating a foundation that honors all of her family members that have and had lupus and enjoys giving back to the comnunity.Delebra’s ability to connect with diverse audiences through authenticity, compassion, and unwavering determination sparks inspiration and ignites positive change. Whether it’s speaking on topics such as self-care strategies, navigating the healthcare system, or fostering a supportive lupus community, Delebra Hudson leaves a lasting impression with their words of encouragement, practical advice, and infectious optimism. My mission is to break down barriers, challenge societal misconceptions about lupus, and ensure that every person affected by this condition feels heard, understood, and empowered to live their best life.

Meet Sheree Taylor

Sheree Taylor is the Founder of Taylor Consulting Solutions, LLC.

Her experience includes working as the
Assistant Director/Childcare Coordinator of Help Me Grow Alabama. She has over 10 years of experience
in educational outreach in Nutrition, early care education and chronic disease management. Sheree has
served on several coalitions at the grassroots level while managing grant dollars to enhance the quality
of life of Alabamians on health initiatives during her time with Auburn University. Sheree has served as a
Regional director over several counties for equitable neighborhood initiatives in Alabama.

Sheree holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition & Foods from Jacksonville State University and a
Masters of Adult Education from Auburn University. Sheree is a certified Senior Diabetes
educator/facilitator from the University of Chicago in Illinois). She holds several certifications in the
areas of Sports Nutrition, Extension, and Nutrition and Wellness. Through her experiences, she has
gained knowledge in assisting communities in reaching their goals through building partnerships,
curriculum development, developing publications and articles for academia, promoting family, and
community engagement using strategic planning and professional development.


Sheree enjoys watching football, crafting and most of all spending time with her family and friends
making memories. Sheree has served her community volunteering with youth sports organizations as a
board member and she is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. A service to all mankind.

Meet Sheree Taylor at this month’s

Monthly Lupus Meeting

Meet Alzina Burrell Dural

The 4A’s Sisters Club 2023 Grand Marshal at our 2nd Annual End Lupus Walk May 27th 9am Girard Park Lafayette, La. Alzina Burrell Dural is Lupus Warrior here in our city. A go get her, never stop, keep moving, Community Activist in the State of Louisiana. Lupus since 2011, Retired with LCG, Owner of Season the Green Leaf 🍃 Sits on many Local, City and State Boards. A daughter, wife, sister mother, aunt, friend, etc. PS-Community Activist. Show your 💘! We thank you for all you do for others.