- Sarcoidosis
- Interviews
Kazza's interview
How did all start?
Slowly feeling unwell over a number of years. Escalated into severe chest pain and chronic fatigue. Couldn't stay awake at work, found it harder and harder to do my job.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes. Pulmonary Sarcoidosis with Lymphatic involvement. I had been feeling unwell for a number of years. It wasn't until my chest pain become really bad, that a scan revealed nodules in my lungs and enlarged lymph nodes. This took 3 months in the end, after a PET scan and biopsy
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I have only seen a Pulmonary specialist so far
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Meditation to keep me grounded and to help anxiety
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Daily chest pain and becoming unemployed
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family has been very supportive. I feel like I am losing friends though
What things have you stopped doing?
Working, going out for extended periods due to pain and fatigue
What do you think about the future?
I'm hoping that things will improve over time
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The best years of my life were raising my two girls. I am 52 years old now and at times it seems like my life has come to a halt
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I would like a change of career and travel
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
My life has been put on hold
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Try and remain positive, meditate, eat well, drink lots of water, try and remain as active as possible.
