HI I AM TED AND I HAVE SARCOIDOSIS

My Story:

Lets go back to the beginning. Last fall I was diagnosed with what was thought to be walking pneumonia.  At the time I was feeling mostly okay. I was simply having trouble catching my breath while exercising at levels that would normally be comfortable for me. Standard protocol, a round of antibiotics and an inhaler were issued and I was sent on my way. No biggy...

At my 3 month follow up exray the docs saw something in my lungs that they assumed was just the leftovers from the pneumonia. I was feeling generally okay and just assumed my lungs were out of shape from lack of exercise due to the pneumonia. Still no biggy.

In May of this year I went in for a 6 month exray to see if the crud had finally cleared. Turns out it had not. After several tests including a CT scan on May 25th I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis a rare chronic disease that can impact various organ systems of my body. For me the impact of the disease has been specific to my lungs.

This diagnosis blew my mind. How could it be that a guy who has dedicated his life to health ends up with some rare disease he has never heard of? I will be honest at first this put me in a pretty dark mindset. I was mad, I was sad, I was scared, and I was confused.

Then something clicked. First I had been seeing many of my peers suffering far worse than I had been. I really do not have it that bad. I can still do most things. Just my racing engine had been blown. I did need to grieve the loss of my hard earned lung function. However now it was time to take action. Time to fight!!

Fight strategy:
1. Already ordered and have been using a resisted breathing apparatus. If I am only able to use a portion of my lungs you better believe that portion is going to be strong!!
2. More cardiovascular exercise. By the end of this madness I will pretty much not even need oxygen anymore.
3. More strength training. Body of iron time folks.. Time to power up a level.
4. Time to clean up the eating habits even more. Anti- inflammatory focused. Sorry folks I will be turning down a lot of tasty treats in the near future.
5. Meditation my brain will be my second biggest enemy.. I will need to regain control of my thought processes.
6. Find a way to give back.. I will be researching ways that I can help contribute to others who may suffer from similar diseases.

Well I have made it to step 6.. Time to find a way to give back and fight for others.