Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis
Jeff Becker
Jeff Becker
Thank you for visiting my page!
As you might know, the fight against sarcoidosis is a cause that is important to me. I was diagnosed with it back in 2009 and probably had been fighting it since the early 1990's. Sarcoidosis is a rare, often chronic, auto immune disorder that can damage almost any organ in the body. There is currently no known cure for this disease and treatment options are limited and often ineffective.
By the time my diagnosis came in, the damage done to my lungs was severe. My pulmonoligist, Dr. Maneesh Bhargava, a member of the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Lung Diseases informed me that I had stage 4 lung disease. He told me at that time I needed to understand the gravity of my situation; that it is possible we may be discussing a lung transplant at some time. And the very aggressive nature of my particular case could be fatal. Also, I certainly wouldn't be able to continue a life long passion I had for long distance running.
It was this passion of mine, that had led me on the long and winding road of trying to determine what the heck was going on with my body. I was a strong runner all of my life until the early 90's when I started to slow down finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. I went to doctors and specialists and never got answers. At least no accurate ones. This got worse and worse until I read about Sarcoidosis. I suspected this was what I was fighting. Dr. Bhargava confirmed it, and we took it from there. Fortunately corticosteriods and methotrexate (my only real options for a treatment) slowed down the progression of the disease. I also was determined to run again. I laced up my running shoes, went out and started putting one foot in front of the other, and for 10 years now, I have been running 3 miles every other day. It hasn't been easy, to say the least! But both Dr. Bhargava and I believe the exercise along with a healthy diet and positive lifestyle certainly has helped.
Then the drugs I was taking to help treat the disease started to cause serious health issues, so I've discontinued using them. I've been drug free for a year now.
It will be an ongoing battle for me and many others. Some Sarcoid Warriors have lost the battle: Comedian Bernie Mac, football legend Reggie White, and countless less known individuals.
I have chosen to support the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) by fundraising for Team KISS!
KISS stands for Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis, and that’s what you'll be doing by supporting my page. FSR is the leading nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for this disease and improving care and treatment options for sarcoidosis patients. The funds all go directly to FSR and their programs for improving patient education, supporting patients and their caretakers, and of course, funding research to find better treatment options and one day, a cure.
Please consider helping me and Team JB reach our goal. Together, we can Stop Sarcoidosis!
- Jeff
As you might know, the fight against sarcoidosis is a cause that is important to me. I was diagnosed with it back in 2009 and probably had been fighting it since the early 1990's. Sarcoidosis is a rare, often chronic, auto immune disorder that can damage almost any organ in the body. There is currently no known cure for this disease and treatment options are limited and often ineffective.
By the time my diagnosis came in, the damage done to my lungs was severe. My pulmonoligist, Dr. Maneesh Bhargava, a member of the World Association of Sarcoidosis and Other Granulomatous Lung Diseases informed me that I had stage 4 lung disease. He told me at that time I needed to understand the gravity of my situation; that it is possible we may be discussing a lung transplant at some time. And the very aggressive nature of my particular case could be fatal. Also, I certainly wouldn't be able to continue a life long passion I had for long distance running.
It was this passion of mine, that had led me on the long and winding road of trying to determine what the heck was going on with my body. I was a strong runner all of my life until the early 90's when I started to slow down finding it increasingly difficult to breathe. I went to doctors and specialists and never got answers. At least no accurate ones. This got worse and worse until I read about Sarcoidosis. I suspected this was what I was fighting. Dr. Bhargava confirmed it, and we took it from there. Fortunately corticosteriods and methotrexate (my only real options for a treatment) slowed down the progression of the disease. I also was determined to run again. I laced up my running shoes, went out and started putting one foot in front of the other, and for 10 years now, I have been running 3 miles every other day. It hasn't been easy, to say the least! But both Dr. Bhargava and I believe the exercise along with a healthy diet and positive lifestyle certainly has helped.
Then the drugs I was taking to help treat the disease started to cause serious health issues, so I've discontinued using them. I've been drug free for a year now.
It will be an ongoing battle for me and many others. Some Sarcoid Warriors have lost the battle: Comedian Bernie Mac, football legend Reggie White, and countless less known individuals.
I have chosen to support the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR) by fundraising for Team KISS!
KISS stands for Kick In to Stop Sarcoidosis, and that’s what you'll be doing by supporting my page. FSR is the leading nonprofit dedicated to finding a cure for this disease and improving care and treatment options for sarcoidosis patients. The funds all go directly to FSR and their programs for improving patient education, supporting patients and their caretakers, and of course, funding research to find better treatment options and one day, a cure.
Please consider helping me and Team JB reach our goal. Together, we can Stop Sarcoidosis!
- Jeff
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