The Newsworthy Kathy Vara

By Kathy Vara
Introduction by Brandi Bard



My Handi-Capable Reporter is sure many of our readers saw Kathy Vara in our Volume 1 Issue 2, about a year ago, wherein she told us that she had been diagnosed with Lupus, and how very kind and supportive Carole Black, the General Manager of NBC Channel 4 in Burbank, was and today you can read Kathy's personal update for yourself. Now we can all see how Carole Black and Kathy's coworkers like Kent, Christopher, Paul and all the others, along with Kathy's husband Rene, are still "being there" for this lovely courageous lady.

This writer, as well as our publisher, like to start each week day seeing Kathy Vara's smiling face updating the days news events with such a cheerful, happy morning image on our TV. Kathy is co-anchor for "Today in L.A. First Edition" and "Today in L.A.", Channel 4's local early morning newscasts.

It has been almost three years since I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. I remember thinking, "l will never be able to work again." I was covered in a rash from head to toe. Every joint in my body seemed to ache.

Looking back on the days leading up to my diagnosis I cannot believe how I abused my body. I worked 12 hour days, covering news stories that often required standing for hours in the hot sun. I had always faced each day with alacrity. Suddenly, energy seemed to drain from my body like a sieve. Most mornings I could not walk from my car in the parking lot into the building, much less make it up the stairs into the newsroom. I had to stop every five steps to rest! Other days my face would swell... especially my lips and eye lids. (A terrible thing when you make your living on television!)

I never went to a doctor. I was in complete denial. I was visiting my parents in Texas when my health rapidly declined. My ankles were so swollen I couldn't wear shoes. The lymph nodes under my arms were the size of plums. My mother, a retired nurse, took me to the doctor immediately. I was tested for Lupus. The results were definitive. The lab ran the tests three times. They could not believe I had let myself go so long without treatment. The doctor told my mother I could have died. The denial period was over...and it was time for the real fight to begin.

My husband, Rene was my rock. He, who rarely calls in sick and works 18 hour days without a quibble, suddenly had to understand why his wife's lust for life had withered. He was my soldier, protecting me in each and every battle. When people didn't understand my condition, he would explain. When I didn't feel up to going out, he stayed home with me. When I questioned our future and our plans to have children, he comforted me. If I couldn't walk, he carried me. And when I was ready to go back to work, he encouraged me.

At first I worked part time. I had to be up by 3:00 a.m. to anchor "Today in L.A.", the morning news show on Channel 4. By 9:30 I was home in bed. My mother stayed with us and cooked and cleaned and did the grocery shopping. If it wasn't for her, I don't think I could have kept my job. My boss, the President and General Manager of NBC 4, Carole Black, supported me every step of the way. She had a friend who had died of Lupus and she made it clear that my health was the most important thing. I owe her so much. Of course, I still struggle with people who don't understand. People who say, "You look great, how can you be sick?" or "I wish I had what you have so I could stay home from work." And then there are times when I can barely make it through a dinner date with friends without feeling like collapsing. But I am very lucky. I have been blessed with a loving family and a fantastic group of friends who always, always understand what it is like to live with Lupus.