It began in the quiet hours of the night, the kind that stretch on endlessly when you’re holding a newborn who will only sleep in your arms.

My daughter, just a few weeks old, was curled against my chest, sound asleep. I was wide awake with an overactive mind. During one of these midnight reflections, I started thinking about the things I love: building things (like Legos), being creative (like watercolor painting), and caring for patients with autoimmune disease, while navigating my own.

In those hours, Rheum Wars was born.

As a rheumatologist and a patient, I’ve always felt that rheumatology is an underappreciated specialty. It’s complex, mysterious, and often misunderstood - just like the chronic illnesses we treat. The diagnostic journey is long, filled with tests (including literal lab tests), uncertainty, and the constant need for self-belief and resilience. The path toward remission often feels like the arc of a hero’s journey.

So I thought: what if we told these stories differently?

What if we made rheumatology more accessible, more relatable, even fun... without losing its depth or truth? What if we used pop culture, sci-fi worlds, and beloved character tropes to reflect the lived experiences of patients, families, and providers in the autoimmune realm?

Rheum Wars is my answer to that “what if.”

It’s a way to honor the bravery of patients navigating unpredictable flares and unclear diagnoses, the loved ones who support them, and the clinicians walking beside them. It’s a galaxy of resilience, science, and storytelling... and it all started with a contact nap, a tired mom, a rheumatologist, a patient, and a spark of imagination.

Welcome to Rheum Wars. I’m so glad you’re here.