Life Altered — Kate Spencer

I read a magazine article years ago shortly after my sarcoidosis diagnosis. It covered the topic of the “shoulds” in life. The article defined a “should” as an item such as good health, the ability to work a…

I began the year with good intentions. I simply wanted to invite more fun and less stress into my life. The first sign that my intentions for 2020 were going awry occurred on a work-related road trip with…

I have a rare health condition called sarcoidosis, which causes extreme fatigue, joint pain, and difficulty breathing. It can affect all of the major organs, including the lungs, heart, eyes, and skin. Sarcoidosis affects about five in 100,000…

I often am my own worst enemy. Well, sarcoidosis is actually my worst enemy. But I’d say I’m a close second. I know I need to take good care of myself on a daily basis. I am aware I…

My husband is heading out on an impromptu business trip. Coincidentally, his destination is just minutes from one of our favorite vacation spots. I could easily stay home, but I’ve decided to accompany him. He’ll be training a new…

I mentioned in a previous column my desire to embrace winter this year. As I’m writing this, it has been unseasonably warm here in the Northeast. Warmer temperatures help tremendously with my sarcoidosis symptoms, and for this,…

I miss traveling. Because of sarcoidosis, sleep difficulties, equilibrium challenges, pain, and constant fatigue must be considered. Other types of travel are no longer feasible, so I mostly stick with driving short distances by car. As I mentioned…

Years ago, I took a young family member to acting classes for eight weeks. The class focused on improvisation, also known as improv. During that two-month period, I learned so much about the fine art of acting. Recently, I…

I previously wrote about the challenge of living with sarcoidosis during the four seasons. Each season has its difficulties. Yet I can’t imagine living without the change in weather. I enjoy each season for what it has to…

As we usher in a new year, I realize that I have not made resolutions in ages, which I guess is directly related to my sarcoidosis. I suppose that years ago, I put goals to paper on Jan.

It’s not uncommon to take a step back and assess the year now that we’re well into December. For many, this includes reflecting on goals accomplished — if any — and the state of one’s career or business. It…