For most of my life, I was an
overachiever: I excelled in school, worked multiple jobs, and volunteered to
help others as often as possible. But in
my early 30s, I was forced to slow down. I began to experience a mysterious combination
of symptoms that no one could explain: pain from head to toe, debilitating fatigue,
weakness, dizziness, nausea, and later, severe joint swelling and a variety of
skin reactions. It took 8 years for
doctors to figure out what was going on, with countless tests, misdiagnoses,
and treatments that did not work along the way. Eventually I was diagnosed with
a rare inflammatory disease called sarcoidosis.
At its worst, this condition left
me completely incapacitated: the arthritis in my hands, elbows, back, hips,
knees, ankles, and feet was so severe that I could hardly move. I needed support
to stand, shower, and dress; at times I couldn’t even hold a phone in my hand
to ask for help. When we finally found the right treatment, my world changed. Literally
overnight, there was a noticeable difference, and I continued to improve for
weeks and months. There is no cure for sarcoidosis, but thanks to my miracle
drug I’m able to participate in, and contribute to, my life and my community.
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| My miracle drug |
