Posts by: Athena Merritt

Athena Merritt

Athena Merritt was a journalist for 20 years until her prolonged battle with sarcoidosis forced her out of work. As she rebuilds her life, she hopes to bring humor, inspiration and knowledge to others in the process.

March 24, 2020March 23, 2020

Ideas for Sarcoidosis Patients Who Are Self-isolating and Bored

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

After all of my efforts to remain germ-free I was reminded of a couple things this past week. The first is that hand soap and sanitizer don’t make me ... Read more

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

Choosing Caution Over Fear Amid the Coronavirus Panic

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

More than 90 percent of people with sarcoidosis have lung involvement, which makes it hard for me not to worry about the recent coronavirus outbreak. Last week, the World ... Read more

March 10, 2020March 6, 2020

When Restful Sleep Is Elusive, Here’s What I Do

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

Whenever I see my friend Laurie’s cats or my niece Nautica’s dog sleeping I think, “I wish I could sleep like that.” Their pets can drop into a blissful ... Read more

March 3, 2020February 28, 2020

Will Unplugging from Technology Help Me Break Bad Habits?

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

I recently saw an episode of “Family Feud” that made me nostalgic for the good old days — or what my nieces and nephews call ancient times. Contestants on ... Read more

February 25, 2020February 21, 2020

Let’s Raise Our Voices for Sarcoidosis on Rare Disease Day

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

When I stumbled upon sarcoidosis in 2002, I was told it was rare for it to cause chronic health issues. What I wasn’t told was that the disease was ... Read more

February 18, 2020February 14, 2020

Rainy Days Always Get Me Down

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

When it comes to managing sarcoidosis, rain feels like another obstacle in my day. And Mother Nature has been pouring down plenty of it in the Philadelphia area lately. ... Read more

February 11, 2020February 7, 2020

A Winter Walk Taught Me Some Unexpected Lessons

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

I know that getting outdoors is good for my health and my sarcoidosis management. But the deeper we get into winter, the more I try to avoid it. Much ... Read more

February 4, 2020January 31, 2020

Thanks to Readers, I Am Making My Heart a Priority

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

When I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, my physicians drilled into me the importance of annual lung and eye exams. And I have followed through every year without fail. But ... Read more

January 28, 2020January 24, 2020

Sarcoidosis Is a Ticking Time Bomb

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

I stopped at a tire center this month to have one of the tires on my car checked. The small bubble on the sidewall didn’t seem like a big ... Read more

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