Tag: #InvisibleIllness

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Superman Is Grounded: Sarcoidosis, Heart Failure, and the Two Times My Lung Quit on Me

In 2007, I got a diagnosis that came with a timeline and an attitude: sarcoidosis had moved into my heart, and the future was being discussed like it was a fixed appointment. I did what any reasonable person would do—I decided to out-stubborn it. Years later, life reminded me that “I’m fine” is not a medical plan, especially when your lungs have their own opinions. If you’ve ever tried to live normally while your body quietly keeps score, this one’s for you.

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I Am Not My Job Title (Or My Diagnosis List): Living With Sarcoidosis Without Letting It Name Me

In the U.S., “So what do you do?” is basically a handshake. And the moment you answer, people quietly file you into a mental drawer—salary range, social rank, usefulness, vibe. Add a diagnosis like sarcoidosis to the mix and suddenly you’re not even a person anymore, you’re a set of symptoms with a name tag. This is the story of how I learned to stop auditioning for other people’s categories—and how I keep choosing to be myself anyway, even when the world would rather label me than listen.

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The Sinking Ship and the Whistling Chef: Sarcoidosis, Chronic Illness, and the Petty Art of Staying Afloat

Someone decided my take on living with sarcoidosis was “too upbeat,” like I’m out here harmonizing with woodland creatures while my body runs a nonstop group project I didn’t sign up for. But if you’ve ever tried to stay afloat in chronic illness while strangers critique your coping skills, you already know the real story isn’t about pretending—it’s about refusing to let misery run the whole kitchen…

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