In the Winter of 2011-2012 I became very sick and no one could find out what was wrong with me. I had was were flu-like symptoms and not being able to eat for more the 6 weeks. There were many trips to doctors and hospitals, but to not avail. Then on one of my trips to the ER, a doctors saw a rash on my neck and ordered tests and x-rays of my chest. At first I had no ideal what the rash had to do with an upper respiratory flu, but I was willing to give anything a chance at this point. The chest x-rays came back with small masses and enlarged lymph node system. Was it cancer, lymphoma? They would need to do a biopsy of both the lungs and nodes, which they did and to my surprise they told me I did not have cancer. However the biopsy did find that the lumps and the inflammation of the nodes was due to a illness called Sarcoidosis.
I had never hear of Sarcoidosis before that day and the doctor, responded, "nor have most doctors". I felt as if I was living an episode of House. (The doctor who has to find the strange illness that no one else can find.)
I now have this Sarcoidosis, so now, what?
How do I get rid of it?
How do I get well?
Then the bad news, not only rare, unknown to a lot of the world it was also incurable.
"What do you mean, incurable?"
"I'm I going to die?"
Wild thoughts were going through my head. Such as I did not insurance because I worked for myself, "will they just let me die?"
"Who will take care of my cat, Tagger?"
"Will I get to see my kids again?"
The good news was that it was treatable, but I would most likely be on steroids the rest of my life. Prednisone is the steroid of choice to treat Sarcoidoisis, but it has very nasty side effects, which are almost as bad as the illness. But taking the medication will stop and slow down the impact of the illness to my body. I also could eat for the first time in over 6 weeks and had some strength.
By now you may be woundering how does all of this fit into a blog about travel? Well I'm getting there and isn't this whats it's all about ---"getting there"?
This illness has led me to going out on disability, due to my inability to stay well and work 40 hours. Since the time of the diagnoses of Sarcoidosis, I have started to see doctors at Temple University Hospital's Lung Center in Philadelphia, of whom have heard of and know how to treat the illness. As an inflammatory disease that affect any organ or part of the body, as of now it is attacking my lungs, lymph node. ears, eyes, sinuses and skin. As with other inflammatory, autoimmune disorders, it is much worse in the Winter, when here in the Northeast having below freezing most days. I once again ending up in the hospital this year, with breathing issues.
This led my doctor to ask if I needed to stay in the Northeast and suggested that I find someplace warm and dry to live.
So this is the beginning, again. A new story and a new life in my search for wellness. I hope this introduction was not too long and depressive. That it stated the back story of what comes next and how this all will tie into "Stop and Smell the Burgers", along the way.
