Tiffany S. Thibodeaux is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry and Family Medicine. She received her Master of Science in Nursing from Southern University and A & M College. After graduating, she worked in the emergency room as an OBGYN Nurse Practitioner. Her ER experience illustrated the gap between medical and psychiatry care. Those gaps encouraged her to pursue a post masterâs certificate in psychiatric mental health nurse at McNeese State University. She currently has her private practice in Lafayette, La. specializing in family medicine and psychiatric mental health. She is a member of the American Nurses Association and certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Also, board-certified with American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
Tiffany specializes in behavioral health and treating children, adolescents, and adults with complex medical and psychiatric mental health conditions. Her private practice focus on allopathic care of the whole body. She manages medication for the magnitude of mental health diagnoses while treating the entire body. She enjoys spending time with her family traveling and making memories. She has two daughters, ages 17 and 11. One of which is graduating from High School, and the other is graduating from 5th grade.
Meet this weeks 4-A Sister Club Spot Light of the Week! A Fighting Lupus Warrior. Sarah Adeline Stubbss, who is 32 years old and live in Broussard, La. Sarah is very thankful of her mother being proactive with her in her health care; she went to all her doctor appointments with her.
Her family physician noted her thyroid was in hyper state, which lead Sarah to see many other doctors, with thyroid scans, it was noted her thyroid was inflamed. At that time her ANA panel was negative.
After being on medication for her thyroid, Sarah was still having chronic fatigue along with many other symptoms, then she developed gall stones and had to have her gallbladder removed, the surgeon said her gallbladder was very inflamed. At this time, her ANA profile became positive. After seeing several other specialists, in the Lafayette area, without feeling better, Sarah was told about the Mayo Clinic. Sarah began researching and discovered that the Baton Rouge Clinic had become affiliated with the Mayo Clinic. Sarah has a team of doctors consisting of a Neurologist, Dermatologist, Rheumatologist, and Endocrinologist working together!
She now has all her health issues under control, Sarah loves doctors, and highly recommend this clinic for quality care!
4-A Sisters Club would like to Spot Light one of Lafayette’s Lupus Warrior: Her name is DaShonda Tyler, from Lafayette LA. A mother of 3 kids (Destinee 22, Dontrayl 20, & Jalen 15). AFTER 3 YEARS OF GASTROENTEROLOGIST, NEUROLOGIST, ENDOCRINOLOGIST, PULMONOLOGIST, HEMATOLOGIST, & CARDIOLOGIST visits she began thinking that maybe all this was her headđ¤Śđžââď¸đ¤Śđžââď¸.
Finally her primary doctor said âDASHONDAâ this not in your head, u are kinda crazy but, she knew something was going onđŠđ¤Łđ¤Ł. She then said letâs get you to a rheumatologist (Dr. Yeturi is by far the bestđ). It just took for that ONE dr to go the extra mile when it came to having test ran. On 5-24-2019 her ANA came back positive & she cried bc she knew that her life what have known for years would now change & bc she finally knew what was wrong with her. She have gone thru SOOOO many changes in her life dealing with this & the ONLY ppl that can relate are people that share the same illness bc some of her family/friends think itâs for attention or they feel like u was just fine now your hurting đđâŚher advice to anyone is that only YOU know your body & when something isnât right so you have to PUSH your doctors to do the test.
Donât let lupus define who you are, KEEP PUSHING, FIGHTING, & LIVING.
4 A’s Sisters Club (Lupus) is honored to introduce the “End Lupus Walk” Grand Marshall for 2022; Mrs. Hester Catalon Thomas â¤ď¸ Hester is a life long resident of Lafayette, Louisiana. She received her rudimentary education at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School and is a proud IHM Knight. She attended high school at St. Thomas More Catholic High School and graduated in 1989. She attended The University of Southwestern Louisiana, now University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication in May of 1994. In May 2007, she obtained an Associate of Science in Nursing from Louisiana State University at Eunice.
In her first job out college, she worked at the University Medical Center (UMC) in the Social Services department. In Social Services, her energy and innovative ideas were critical in designing, organizing and establishing UMCâs Prescription Assistance Program. Since graduating from nursing school, she has worked as a Registered Nurse in various capacities, including nurse manager of the post-operative unit at Lafayette General Medical Center, now Ochsner Lafayette General. Currently, she serves as Nurse Navigator and was hired as the first Nurse Navigator of the system-wide health organization. Hester is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and is an active member of the Lafayette Alumnae Chapter. She is also a member of the American Nursing Association, Louisiana State Nurses Association and a Region IV member, and National Association of University Women. Hester had the honor of receiving The Making a Difference Award, Heart Of Nursing Award, Acadiana Celebrates Nursing Award, and Governor John Bel Edwardâs Award for Service.
Hester is the wife of Fernando Thomas and have been married for fifteen years. She is the mother of 11 year old, Trey and 13 year old, Ty. Hester is the daughter of Anthony V. Catalon and the late Heddy Sinegal Catalon. In her past time, she enjoys shopping and traveling. Family is at the center of Hesterâs life and the love for and spending time with family is most cherished by her. She is a proud and caring nurse who is dedicated to her nursing profession, the individuals and community she serves. Hester attends Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church and remains a resident in the Upper North Lafayette Community that she grew up in.
Come meet Candace Josef Semien as she share her story with all of us….
Come meet Candace Josef Semien as she share her story with all of us. Listen, Lupus is not a butterfly experience for Candace Semien, it is a wolf attack. Since a diagnosis in 2016, she has fought the wolf with God, family, and science. Candace is a volunteer with the Louisiana Lupus Foundation and a national lupus advocate with the Lupus Research Alliance. She works, mothers, and lives with lupus, Sjogrens Syndrome, and (recently) Hashimotos—which, she says, is not a badge of honor, but a reality.
Even as an introvert, Candace is part of a larger voice that speaks up about the crisis of living with lupus. She encourages honest and bold patient, family, and doctor relationships. She pulls and prods for ways to live purposefully while having limited abilities or disabilities.
A journalist by nature, Candace asks hard questions about lupus and shares answers that will improve the lives of people living with chronic, autoimmune diseases. She is an insatiable reader, senior editor for the Jozef Syndicate, and sweet tea lover.
Ms. Alexandria Hall is a resident of Pearland, Texas with southern roots from Lafayette, Louisiana and Columbia, South Carolina. She graduated from Prairie View A&M University in December 2017 where she obtained a bachelor’s degree of Science, Registered Nurse. Alexandria specialty is in PCU (Progressive care unit-step down ICU). Her hobbies include traveling as she’s accustomed to all her life as a military dependent, socializing, and reading a good book. Alexandria is currently working as a travel nurse in Dallas, Texas.
Shanail Monick is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Amazon Bestseller Author, speaker, and remarkable life and health coach. She is committed to seeing people live an become a better version of themselves while attaining the highest level of optimum health possible. A Lupus survivor, she is the founder of the organization FIGHT4LUPUS, which brings awareness to the chronic illness and seeks for cure. Shanail is a part of many organizations and remains an active contributor.
Shanail has been featured in numerous magazines including the new âSouth TM magazine,âACHI Magazineâs December 2019, issue of Mother & Daughter Entrepreneurs along with her daughter Tyresha Baine. Shanail is a widely sought-after speaker who has spoken across multiple platforms and events. She finds every aspect of her job to be incredible rewarding. Likewise, she is one of many who continually keeps abreast of latest industry happenings, to keep people informed about their health.
Shanail Moânick is a successful entrepreneur and Millionaire Coach who specializes in enhancing your thinking and life. She is committed to seeing people live a become a better version of themselves while attaining their life goals. A Lupus survivor, she is the founder of the organization FIGHT4LUPUS, which brings awareness to the chronic illness and seeks for cure. Shanail is a part of many organizations and remains an active contributor.
Shanail has been featured in numerous magazines including the new âSouth TM magazine,âACHI Magazineâs December 2019, issue of Mother & Daughter Entrepreneurs along with her daughter Tyresha Baine. Shanail is a widely sought-after speaker who has spoken across multiple platforms and events. She finds every aspect of her job to be incredible rewarding. Likewise, she is one of many who continually keeps abreast of latest industry happenings to keep people informed about their health and life generally
It all began in:1989 Began having issues with carpel tunnel. Doctor wanted to operate, but I declined since he stated the issue might return. I was working in the bank vault dealing with large heavy bags of cash.Â
The hours were long and became increasingly stressful. 1991 In October my mother passed which took a toll on me. I experienced, swelling, little aches here and there. Nothing to send me to the doctor as my feet were not happy wearing heels to work. One day, an extremely stressful event occurred, and life was never the same. This triggered something in my DNA, I did not know it at the time.
1992 Physical for a new job revealed that I was slightly anemic in February. No problem. I told the doctor that the last I was anemic; I was pregnant and simply took iron pills. She said that should be fine. Nothing else was said about the matter. March 1992, I miscarried. November comes, it has been year since my mothers passing and I wanted to gather the family to celebrate thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Evewas typical predinner preparation. I went to sleep and awoke to a new world of pain that began in the right ankle, migrated upward to the left knee then the hips. This became more and more painful to the point that I could not stand or walk without leaning on the wall or furniture. By Christmas, I had to always have someone with me to get around. We were all perplexed. I went to the doctor right after new years.
Iâm here advocation for additional funding for lupus research – to increase awareness of the disease in order to reduce the time it takes to get a diagnosis and get people the care they need as soon as possible.
Lupus Warrior: Mary Sias
1993 The doctor said that sometimes we deal with the loss and pain of mourning in various ways. Some people occasionally experience pain that comes and never returns, not for me. He had me to take 4 to 6 Advils every 4 hours to help with the pain. Yeah. After day three, I called and told him that it was not making a dent in the pain. I went and tests were run. Three days later the doctor called me at 8.15am and talked to me about the results. I burst out crying on the phone, I had to leave work that day. I could not handle another tragedy in my life. I was barely over my motherâs passing in 1991 and now this. I felt like life was over. He recommended that I see a Rheumatologist. The rheumatologist confirmed that I had both lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. I was basically normal Thanksgiving eve and Thanksgiving Day it all changed. I began to live a new normal life. I went from zero pills to 30 a day in less than two months.
2000 It became necessary to have a hysterectomy, all went well until cancer was found. Had I waited an additional 3 months like I wanted to, I would have had less than five years to live with only morphine to ease the pain. Nothing would have helped with the cancer they found. 2001/02 I developed iritis. I was totally blind, twice.2015 Here we go again, something else, I was barely able to stand. I had to walk on the side of my feet. It was not easy. The bottom of my feet felt like fire ants biting me while walking over hot coals. I was diagnosed with gout.
2016 Diagnosed with thinning bones and osteopenia, early onset osteoarthritis. I was given a pill so costly; the insurance would not cover it. I bought it; after all, it was just my health. Lost my job February 2017.2018 Hospitalized for the first time with blood pressure so low it could not read, potassium and magnesium nearly nonexistent. I was in bad shape. Being without insurance I was place on Harris Health. I met the most horrendous doctor that refused to honor my prescriptions stating that Iwas over medicated. I was floored. I spent New Yearâs Eve in the hospital.2019 After one year and other incidences I returned to private care. I now have osteoarthritis. Had I been given the high-priced pills; I could have delayed the osteoarthritis until my late 60âs.
Through the years I have had flares where I cannot get out of bed, cannot pick up a Kleenex, cannot open a can good or even clean myself in the restroom or comb my hair let alone dress myself. I am still standing. We need more research on lupus. At the University of Houston, a research scientist, Dr. Mohan, was testing saliva as a means of detecting lupus. It is a hard illness to detect. And thatâs one of the reasons Iâm here advocation for additional funding for lupus research – to increase awareness of the disease in order to reduce the time it takes to get a diagnosis and get people the care they need as soon as possible.
