Life Altered - a Column by Kate Spencer

Like a Snake, Sarcoidosis Strikes Without Warning

Dr. Rossi raised my puffy leg, which was three times its normal size, and closely examined it. “I think the inflammation is a secondary condition called erythema nodosum,” she said confidently. “Based on the cough, I would say you have sarcoidosis,” she added. My brain was having difficulty processing…

The Relentless Attack of ‘The Cough’

It began as just a typical cough. At first, I thought it was related to a common cold or some type of seasonal allergy, and I expected it to last only a week to 10 days. Over time, it became a hacking cough, deep in my chest but unproductive. Until…

The Early Morning Wake-up Call

A piercing scream woke me from a sound sleep that morning. It echoed from every corner of the house. My brain struggled to identify the source of the squealing before finally realizing it was coming from me. Intense pain was all over my body. Like a bad toothache, it came…

Life Altered: My Journey to a Sarcoidosis Diagnosis

I was an average woman in my early 30s, married with two young stepsons, working a full-time job in healthcare sales and marketing. My husband and I had recently purchased our first home. We enjoyed spending time with family and friends and led a healthy lifestyle. Then one day, I…