Lupus victims, their families get some support

"Supporting Family, Friends, and Spouses Who Have Lupus" is the theme for the October meeting of the Conejo Valley Lupus Support Group. Two simultaneous meetings will be held, one meeting for those who support those with lupus and another for those who have lupus. The meetings will be at 6:30 p.m. Tues., Oct. 7 at the Westlake Village Urgent Care Center, 4415 S. Lakeview Canyon Road, Room A, Westlake Village.

Facilitating the family, friends and spouses group will be John Chaffeur. He has been married to JoAnne Chaffeur for nine and a half years. She was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis two weeks after their wedding day. He will share his view on how to manage a life with a chronic illness, maintain kids, house, and self.

JoAnne Chaffeur will facilitate the meeting of the lupus support group members. She will share her experiences with lupus, hip replacements, housekeepers, mother’s helpers, seeking healthcare, and nuturing and healing self.

The Conejo Valley Lupus Support Group, sponsored by Lupus International, meets every first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Call (888) 532-2322 or (805) 524-3123 for details and directions. Lupus is a term for a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the entire body, called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The focus of the support groups is to share how to effectively live with lupus.