Trena Anderson

Why do I participate in research?

“I was diagnosed with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis in early 2015. Before I was diagnosed, I was an overall healthy 41-year-old single mother with a 7- and 10-year-old and I worked full time as a Paralegal in an estate planning law firm that I really enjoyed. In early 2015, I started to feel like I had a horrible flu with body aches, terrible sinus issues, loss of hearing to name a few symptoms and I just could not function. I ended up being hospitalized and after 2 weeks I was diagnosed after a lung biopsy and I started chemotherapy the very next day. 

This journey has definitely had its ups and downs over the years, a few complications and stays in ICU, appointments with several specialists, lots of daily medication, regular infusions, continual blood work/X-rays/CT scans and two total knee replacements at the age of 45 (after being in a wheelchair for 6 months). I feel extremely thankful for the amazing team of doctors that I have and for being where I am today in this journey. 

Throughout this journey, I have met so many other amazing, strong and courageous people diagnosed with vasculitis and they are such an inspiration who have become like family to me. I have also had the pleasure of meeting and being treated by wonderful doctors that really care about those of us with vasculitis, care about our treatment and care about our quality of life. For these reasons, I am part of the VPPRN because our individual stories and our updated information is so important to continue the research in vasculitis to improve our lives.”

-Trena Anderson