Phantom Limb Syndrome is when you still have sensation in the area amputated. I had gangrene due to lupus and had to have amputation of my toes on my right foot, in addition to the fingers on my left hand and the second finger on my right hand.

This is the result of having lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that affects the internal and external organ systems. There is no cure yet but research is ongoing and I’m a part of thousands of people who are affected (mostly women of minority and men diagnosed with discoid lupus which targets the skin).
Currently, I’m suffering from numbness and tingling in the above areas and that’s when the Phantom Limb Pain occur. Whenever I feel pain or discomfort I automatically reach to alleviate the pain on the limbs that are not there. I’ve read a few articles on the subject which says the brain and spinal cord send signals to the affected areas.

Thankfully, I’ve never been the type to quit. I haven’t cried profusely yet but moments of “what if” visits me from time to time. I’ve come to the conclusion that as long as I have lupus, to accept the challenges that comes along with it.