Lorretta's Story

Hi, my name is Loretta Brown and I reside in Plymouth, North Carolina.  I am 50 years old and have been diagnosed with  Pulmonary Sarcoidosis,  Cardio-Sarcoidosis, and Lupus.

                It all started one afternoon in 1996 when my sister was washing my hair and found a large lump/knot on the back of my neck. She asked me if it hurt or did it bother me, and I told her no because I didn’t even know that it was there.  She immediately made me an appointment to see a physician by the name of

Dr. David C. Franklin, MD, Surgeon.  He did a skin graft and needle biopsy at Washington County Hospital in Plymouth, NC, where he was a surgeon. This was all done in the matter of a week.  He told me that I would receive my results within 3 to 5 days.  It was then that I was given the diagnosis of having Sarcoidosis. He began to ask questions like:

·         Do you have any problems walking and getting tired?

·         Do you get short-winded or give out of breath quickly when walking, working, or even when taking a bath?

·         Are you doing any coughing?

·         Do you have any pain any where?

                “Sar-co-what?”  is what my sister and I both said.  Now what exactly is that she questioned him.  He then began to explain to her what it was and how it can or cannot affect a person.  He said that some people live with it all their lives and are not bothered with any kind of complications, and then there are others that are affected tremendously.  Well as it turns out I am one of those that it affects tremendously. 

                I was sent to a specialist in Greenville, North Carolina, and with more tests being done, was also given the same diagnosis along with another, Lupus.  Once again the question; what is Lupus and what affects does it have on the body? This was also explained to us.  All of this news was given to me in the same year 1996.

                As it turned out I ended up having to retire from my job early because I was no longer able to work.  I was feeling so bad that some days I would not even get up out of bed.  I had been running back and forth to the doctors so much that I was getting tired it.  It seemed like no matter what medications I was prescribed, nothing seemed to help.

                Then one afternoon in the grocery store I met and talked with Sandra Hines Smith and she told me that she had Sarcoidosis too. She told me about Dr.  Isham Huizar, a pulmonologist in Greenville, North Carolina, who is presently doing research on Sarcoidosis. I got his information and made an appointment.  He saw me immediately, needless to say, he has helped me tremendously. I have been included in his study program for Sarcoidosis.

                I had the opportunity to meet and talked with Sherrie Buie and her husband. They have been good supporters to me as I have been going through. We talk a lot, share stories, and always express words of encouragement to each other. I am ever thankful for my sister who has been there with me through it all. We look forward to one day seeing a cure for this disease.  I am thankful to God for giving me my Sarc friends with their inspiration and words of encouragements. Be blessed and always looking up.

Loretta Brown