Life Altered - a Column by Kate Spencer

Before sarcoidosis hit me, I was a Pilates enthusiast and practiced yoga, too. Between classes and my practice at home, I stayed rather active with these two forms of exercise. However, like so much in life, the ability to stay active drastically changed after my diagnosis. But then an…

I have an extreme aversion to needles. When I was much younger and needed to have blood drawn, I would pass out during the process. This happened every time, without fail, regardless of how we tried to prevent it. When my primary care physician, who is also a pulmonologist in…

After my diagnosis, I started looking for ways to help myself heal. Through research and conversations with healthcare providers, I learned that individuals with sarcoidosis have higher levels of inflammation than most of the population. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or injury. It’s necessary for the…

Finding an exercise routine to stick with can be challenging under the best of circumstances. Since my sarcoidosis diagnosis, it has become even more of a dilemma. Research shows exercise can help with an overall sense of well-being and quality of life in those with sarcoidosis. But how…

Here in the northeastern part of the United States, we enjoy four distinct seasons. Before my sarcoidosis diagnosis, I appreciated each season for different reasons. However, since sarcoidosis, things have changed. Summer was my favorite season when I was younger. Like many kids, I spent days in the sun,…

“At least you look good.” I often hear this statement, or something close to it. I am confident the words are sincere and said with the best of intentions. Someone who tells me I look good, despite the fact that I have sarcoidosis, is hoping to make me feel…

My calves and ankles were thick and swollen from erythema nodosum. I was struggling with a cough and fatigue daily. We were still waiting for a formal diagnosis, and though it felt like we were getting closer, the delay was difficult to cope with. My primary care physician suggested…

I wasn’t always an anxious person. Since my sarcoidosis diagnosis, however, I feel I exist in a perpetual state of anxiety. In the beginning, I am certain the anxiety was a result of the pain and fatigue. I was struggling to get answers and a formal diagnosis.

In the midst of a medical crisis, my long-time friend made a suggestion. She advised me to find a calming activity that would help pass the time on the road to recovery. Since she’s both a friend and a licensed clinical social worker, I trusted her input. Not surprisingly, my…

I spent months trying to schedule an appointment with a pulmonologist. Finally, I found one in another state. Unfortunately, I had to pay out of pocket for the visit. At this point, however, a potential answer seemed well worth the expense. The pulmonologist listened to my breathing, took note…