Columns

March 23, 2021March 22, 2021

Do Long-haul COVID-19 Patients Provide Clues for Sarcoidosis Treatment?

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

Since the novel coronavirus emerged, what’s increasingly struck me are the eerie similarities between COVID-19 and sarcoidosis. The deeper we’ve gotten into this pandemic, the more I wonder if it ... Read more

March 19, 2021March 17, 2021

The Struggle to Feel Seen and Heard With Sarcoidosis

Columns, No Tears for Sarcoidosis - a Column by Charlton Harris

Can you hear me? Do you see me? I repeat these two phrases at least 10 times a day. I think it’s common for folks living with chronic health issues ... Read more

March 16, 2021March 12, 2021

The First Hurdle to Clear to Get in Shape Is Often Fear

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

I was in my 40s when I entered a neighborhood gym for the first time. I slunk over to the least-crowded row of treadmills, and still couldn’t shake the feeling ... Read more

March 12, 2021March 10, 2021

Being Saved by Grace Helps Me Live Courageously With Sarcoidosis

Columns, No Tears for Sarcoidosis - a Column by Charlton Harris

“Grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a purpose, instead of serving shame.” – Mike Rusch For the past few days, I’ve felt like I’m missing something — ... Read more

March 9, 2021March 4, 2021

While You Wait for Normal to Return, Check Out These Sarcoidosis Events

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

Envy is a terrible thing. But three months into the year, I can no longer shake it. I thought I’d be an early candidate for protection against COVID-19 because of ... Read more

March 5, 2021March 3, 2021

Stress, Fear, and Sarcoidosis: You Have the Tools to Deal With It

Columns, No Tears for Sarcoidosis - a Column by Charlton Harris

At this time last year, I was in the hospital. I spent three days there, including during my son’s birthday. During that time, my primary pulmonologist broke the news to ... Read more

March 2, 2021February 26, 2021

The Early Bird Wins (I Hope) When It Comes to Daylight Saving Time

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

I view my biological clock as a stubborn, old mule. She dictates her pace, and getting her to change is hard. Real hard. She wants no part of the foolishness ... Read more

February 23, 2021February 19, 2021

Help Tackle Sarcoidosis by Speaking Up on Rare Disease Day

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

We sat just a few feet apart, trying to figure each other out. He jotted down his clues, and watching him closely, I looked for mine. Given that fewer than ... Read more

February 16, 2021February 12, 2021

Remission Doesn’t Always Mean the End of Symptoms

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

I know playing “what if” is a useless exercise when it comes to sarcoidosis. But during a four-day stint without cellphone coverage or internet access, I found myself doing it ... Read more

February 9, 2021February 5, 2021

Victories Are Sweeter When You Have to Work Hard for Them

Columns, Invisible Chaos - a Column by Athena Merritt

Many call it “heart attack snow.” It’s heavy. It’s backbreaking. Last week, we went head-to-head. In “Terminator” terms, the snow was the advanced T-3000 cyborg. I was “Pops,” the old ... Read more