- Sarcoidosis
- Interviews
Judith eubanks's interview
How did all start?
Chronic sinus problems, enlarged lymph nodes throughout childhood. In my 20’s elevated liver enzymes and was assumed hepatitis. Ecxtreme digestive problems. All went away for about 10-12 years. In my 40’s my liver acted up again and I had every known liver test including a biopsy. It didn’t show anything. My liver enzymes never went down. 15 years later I started having extreme fatigue, chronic cough, palpitations, shortness of breath and a pressure in my left lung. I also started to have extreme shoulder pain in my left shoulder. I went to 5 specialists, allergist, physiatrist, ent, family physician, rheumatologist, and pulmonologist and they said, post nasal drip, allergies(which I tested negative for), asthma (nope),menopause (lol), etc. I fell on my left arm in 2016 and they took an x Ray. I got a call that they want d a chest X-ray. I was diagnosed with pneumonia, but I didn’t have any pneumonia symptoms. I called my doctor and went in to see him and finally they listened to all my symptoms. I had a cat scan and then they informed me I had lymphoma or lung cancer due to the 4 cm. Extensive infiltrates through my lungs and enlarged lymph nodes. When I got the report I googled my cat scan terminologies and sarcoidosis came up. I found a report that was 40 pages long and I highlighted all the symptoms and determined that I had found the answer to my lifetime of troubles. I messaged my doctor and told him what I thought of his cancer diagnosis and took him I thought I had sarcoidosis. He got back to me 2 days later and ageeed this is what it could be.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes, most of my life getting answers. It took 3 biopsies to finally get a definitive diagnosis.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Pulmonologist
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Changing my diet, adding supplements, reading Against All Odds by the Walkers, lowering stress, getting diagnosed with sleep apnea and being treated for that. I have decided to stay away from drugs as long as I am able and treat holistically. All my doctors agreeing have worked well with me.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
The nerve pain and fatigue.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
I have had great support and understanding that I have to say no tomth8ngs
What things have you stopped doing?
Saying yes to everything and putting my health and well being first. Eating junk food.
What do you think about the future?
I think I have a handle on my health at the moment. Trying to maintain.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
My college years were the highlight of my life.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Enjoy my life without the what will happen tomorrow hanging over my head.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I have a faith that sustains me in a loving God, knowing that whatever happens in this life my future will be illness free in heaven.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Educate yourself and don’t rely on drugs if you can try holistic methods first. I have been lucky to be in a situation where I could choose my path. Lifestyle changes have reversed much of the lung involvement. I still have issues, but I would be sicker on the drugs they wanted to prescribe.
