Columns

Before my diagnosis, I thought of myself as a traditionalist, at least when it came to the holidays. I baked cookies, decorated the house, and shopped for the perfect gift for everyone on my list. I planned get-togethers for family and friends and went to great lengths to pull off…

I’m often my own worst enemy. Last year, I decided to add some variety to my usual cardio workout. When I started a cardiac rehabilitation program to manage my postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), the goal was to gradually progress from exercising on a semi-recumbent cycle to upright workouts…

I recently took a short weekend trip about 40 miles outside Philadelphia to Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, to visit my brother-in-law. I try to get out to “the country” where he lives about twice a month. We do the “guy” thing: sit around, drink beers, and do nothing. He…

It was my initial desire to explain my sarcoidosis diagnosis to the people around me. Whether they were individuals I have known for years or those I had recently met, I wanted to be honest and open. But one day I stopped doing that. It’s not that I don’t…

Boarding an airport shuttle bus at 3 a.m. on a recent Sunday, I didn’t expect much in the way of conversation when I greeted the driver. I thought I’d receive a grunted “hello” in response. But instead, I got a talkative young man with a dream. Dreaming big During the…

Life always gets in the way! I recently had a conversation about saving money. I mentioned that, over the years, I’ve managed to keep a few coins in my pocket, as I was fortunate to work for…

As I mentioned in a previous column, relationships can be tricky when managing a condition like sarcoidosis. Unfortunately, not everyone can adjust to the challenges of a chronic health condition. But I’ve found that pets are a different story. Before I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, my husband and I…

For many like myself with sarcoidosis and other chronic illnesses, reducing prescription costs is an ongoing effort. As the year winds down, there are a few actions we can take to help achieve that goal.  Review and renew Each fall, I take stock of my prescriptions and determine…

Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is humbling! When I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis more than 10 years ago, I didn’t understand much about the condition. It wasn’t until I went for a sleep study that it…

Fall is typically a great time of year for me, despite my sarcoidosis. Mild temperatures and a decrease in humidity usually allow me some much-needed outdoor time. But it’s not working out that way this year. I came down with a mild cold in September that lasted about a…