We're back!!!

Life has truly been life-ing, and as fellow #LupusWarriors, we're sure you understand.

Shanelle and Ayanna are reunited and it feels so good.  After a long, and we truly mean long break, we're so excited to be back with a brand new episode.   

Self-care is such a hot topic, as it should be, but as Lupus Warriors, it tends to have a different meaning to us versus our immuno-normative counterparts (yes, just made that term up...I think).  The ladies discuss their challenges with self-care, being consistent with their healthy routines and habits, and how self-care not only impacts self, but spills over into our closest friends, family, and tribe.

We hope you enjoy this episode and will do our best to not be gone so long!

Make sure you follow us on Instagram to keep up with Ayanna and Shanelle and when we drop new episodes!

You ever wonder if your cycles impact your Lupus or if your Lupus impacts your cycle or if you're imagining it all?  In this episode, the Queenz talk about how Lupus and menstrual cycles battle it out.  There's also an impromptu review of Beyonce's new album, and Shanelle ensures that one of her ex-boo thangs will never be one of our guest. 

AND...we hit 500 downloads and it's all thanks to you!  We appreciate you! 

Make sure you check us out on Instagram here!

You can also find Ayanna & Shanelle on the gram!

Even though we recorded this episode a week after Memorial Day, NYC is experiencing a heat wave like none other.  So, we chatted about our rituals (or lack there of) when it comes to preparing for the sun, and more importantly vacation.  Plus, Ayanna overshares (as usual) and has yet another edible story while Shanelle relays that time she was having too much fun to pay attention to that oncoming flare.

Make sure you follow the Queenz on Instagram and let us know how you protect yourself from the sun!!

This week, we gave Shanelle some much deserved time off as she graduated with her Masters from Teachers College at Columbia University. 

So Ayanna wasn't on the couch, talking to herself, we got fellow Lupus Warrior, Advocate, Educator, Coach,  AND friend of the podcast Selena Colon to fill in. 

Ayanna and Selena talked about their experiences with Benalysta, both infusion and self-injection.  Selena shared her origin story along with what advocacy looks like to her.

Make sure you find Selena on Instagram.

And, if you're not following the Queenz, make sure you check their IG.   

This episode is heavy and light, at the same time. 

Shanelle and Ayanna share their individual tactics on how to manage rejection as entertainers and fuse their challenges into their art, which apparently is much easier than managing their road rage.   

The ladies talk about lessons learned in therapy, along with the ongoing challenges they're working on internally. 

We're serving up mental health, stress relief, coping mechanisms, and self-exploration as it all pertains to living with Lupus.

Be sure to find and follow the ladies on Instagram.

This episode was recorded around #420, so naturally the ladies chatted about their experience with the sticky icky. 

Ayanna relives the ups and downs after taking her first #edible.  Shanelle confesses to some questionable behavior.  And "is #weed good for #Lupus?" is discussed heavily.

Follow the Queenz on Instagram.

This episode was recorded during a snow storm in NYC, so the Queenz chat it up about managing their Reynauds.
 
Also, Ayanna talks about her incredibly attractive butt doctor while Shanelle dishes about the time she almost found love in a hopeless place:  the ER.
 
There's also big plans...big, big, big plans about a creating a Lupus pamphlet for newly diagnosed Warriors that KEEPS IT REAL.  Maybe we'll throw up a few drafts of that pamphlet on our Instagram, so make sure you follow us. 

Having a chronic illness means life is even more unpredictable than it already is.  In this episode, Ayanna and Shanelle talk about times they've used Lupus to get out of situations (don't judge, you know you've done it too) and times where Lupus was the driving factor in some of their [sometimes questionable] decisions.

Follow the HydroxychloroQUEENZ on Instagram and let us know a time when Lupus made you do it.