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Another Bump in the Road!

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Frank R

Frank R

3 Min Read

As a rare disease patient Sarcoidosis, and Sjogren’s with a not so rare disease called Parkinson’s, I deal with new symptoms everyday. My days are always filled with excitement.

Well on Monday I had a major setback in my road to “recovery.” I woke up in a very good mood on Monday then after finishing breakfast I tripped over my dog, which shouldn’t be no big thing.

Here is the thing with that. I have terrible balance to begin with, so I tried to stop myself from falling which probably made it worse and somewhat better. I was somewhat lucky that fell through a doorway. Only my right elbow and my left ankle hit the walls. Then I twisted my right knee and my left hip hit the ground.

Ever been in a fall where you feel like everything is going in slow motion? Well that is exactly how I felt when I was falling. I am realizing now what being terminally really means.

What is means to me?

To me it means every thing I do, any step I take, Every bad feeling I have has consequences! I am trying to understand this in my mind. Of course this is a new frontier and not many people can help me with this.

One thing I found out though is I seem to do most of my writing when my mind is in a fog. Is that weird? I don’t know why this is but I do this most of the time. So in advance I am so sorry if any of this doesn’t make sense.

I have been realizing how life is fragile! Things that you take advantage of in life are so much more difficult to do now. Walking down stairs, getting dressed, taking showers ( I use a shower seat), walking with a cane (told by my doctor I need a better one, a 4 point cane) even getting out of bed is always fun! No I am not complaining! I am just describing my daily life. It is different and something I am trying to adjust to.

But the worse part of adjusting to my declining health is the brain problems. The lost of memory, the lost of vision, the brain-fogs that come and go. I have the most problem with that. I have not taken pain pills because I wanted my mind clear. No I can’t even control what I am doing and thinking at times.

I have always been one to pride myself to be in control of my mind, so I have to say when I get this way I kind of freak out. Which I am sure it makes things work. But I can’t figure out how to stop this feeling.

My meditation has helped but these fog days can last all day. So I just hold on and hope to make it through this day.

I know that being terminal isn’t good, but I don’t want it to run all of my life!

What are some of the things that you do??? I am always up for suggestions, legal or harmless of course.

Not all of these blogs are just for information, they are some just for help to me or anyone else going through this!

Please help!!!

I have two mottos:

  1. I have Sarcoidosis, but it doesn’t have me!

  2. Terminal is just a word, not a death sentence!

Author(s)

  • Frank R

    I advocate for the Sarcoidosis Community for all of those who can't advocate for themselves!

    Stronger Than Sarcoidosis

    Frank Rivera is a published author of two books "Walking in Silent Pain."  and "I Have Sarcoidosis but it Doesn't Have Me." Both can be found on Amazon. Frank Rivera has also published a medical paper with doctors, researchers and fellow advocates.Comprehensive #Patient partnership paper: Health-Related Quality of Life in Sarcoidosis: Diagnosis, Management, & Health Outcomes https://t.co/niiwZxUj7j Sarcoidosis of Long Island and Stronger Than Sarcoidosis have grown into an advocating organizations to fight for the rights for people who have this rare disease called Sarcoidosis. We fight for those who can't fight for themselves. We work with local, county, state and national government officials to gain recognition and raise awareness for this rare terrible disease Frank Rivera- President- Founder/President- Sarcoidosis of Long Island Founder/President- RareNY Thrive Global- Author and Blogger Frank Rivera founded Sarcoidosis of Long Island in 2012. In 2011 Frank was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis after being misdiagnosed with lung cancer for 7 years prior. Since opening Sarcoidosis of Long Island he has been a local, state and federal advocate for Sarcoidosis. Frank strives to raise awareness for Sarcoidosis nationally, but specifically in the government sector. He has represented the Rare and Sarcoidosis community as a speaker at two Congressional briefings for Sarcoidosis. Frank is a National Ambassador for Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research. Named RUGD Ambassador for Illumina October 2017 Frank organized RareNY in 2016, to raise awareness for Rare Diseases in the state of New York. He organized “A Day for Rare Diseases” on October 15th, 2016 in Long Island NY, in partnership with Global Genes, to raised awareness for all 7000+ rare diseases. In recognition of Frank’s efforts, Suffolk County and the town of Brookhaven officially declared October 15th “A Day for Rare Diseases”. Frank was nominated by Global Genes, a nonprofit that serves the rare disease community, for advocate of the year. Global Genes has also nominated Frank for their annual Rare Champion of Hope award. He has also been nominated for seven awards by WEGO Health partners over four years, Patient Leader Hero as well as Best Kept Secret, Lifetime Achievement Award and Best in Show Blog. He was also nominated by RDLA for advocate of the year. In December 2017 Frank was named People of the Year in the newspaper organization TBR News Media six newspapers one being The Village Beacon Record News. In 2018, Frank was interviewed by NBC Nightly News about the “Right To Try” bill. They did a whole segment on his struggles and strength dealing with these diseases. In 2019, Frank Rivera has promoted Awareness for Sarcoidosis with a billboard in New York Times Square on multiple occasions. Posting Sarcoidosis events, and Sarcoidosis of Long Island and Sarcoidosis patients getting a chance to show their faces in Times Square and their stories. He has also been in multiple television,podcasts and radio interviews both local and nationally raising Awareness all while being downgraded from chronic to terminally ill. He refuses to let his illnesses win and take over his life. His motto is "I have Sarcoidosis but it doesn't have me!" In 2019 his organization has worked on the motto of #YouAreNotAlone. Making sure no Sarcoidosis, and all rare disease patients know they are not alone and we are here for them for advice, support and will help find medical and mental health professionals when needed.