Understanding Sarcoidosis: A Story of Moving Forward and Living Free

April is Sarcoidosis Awareness Month, and Live Free Virtual Services is committed to raising awareness about this disease. Our goal is to provide information and support to help people with Sarcoidosis live their best lives.  

Sarcoidosis is a relatively rare disease, affecting about 1 in every 10,000 people. It can occur at any age but is more common in adults aged 20 to 40 years. African Americans are twice as likely to develop Sarcoidosis as Caucasians.  

People with Sarcoidosis often experience chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, and eye problems. In this blog post, I want to share my experience with Sarcoidosis in the hopes of helping others who may be struggling with this disease.  

How has Sarcoidosis affected my business?  

Sarcoidosis is “a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown cause that most commonly affects the lungs and lymph nodes.” Granulomas are small lumps of immune cells that can form in different organs in response to an infection or inflammation. This means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues.  

Sarcoidosis caused me a great deal of fatigue and pain, affecting my internal organs, especially my eyes, skin, and lungs. As a result of these symptoms, I have had to make significant changes to my lifestyle and business.  

I have been working from home for the past few years instead of going into an office. This has been a big adjustment, but it has been necessary to manage my symptoms. I have also had to cut back on travel and speaking engagements. Although I love what I do, Sarcoidosis has made maintaining the same activity level difficult.  

How have I learned to cope with the disease and its symptoms while still running a business?  

Live Free Virtual Services was founded in 2020 to serve other entrepreneurs and help them grow their businesses. I am passionate about business and enjoy seeing other business owners reach their full potential. But my sarcoidosis diagnosis threw a wrench in my plans. Sarcoidosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue, joint pain, and shortness of breath among other symptoms.   

Some days are more complex than others, but I’ve learned to listen to my body and take things one day at a time. I’m grateful that Live Free Virtual Services gives me the flexibility to work from home on the days when I’m not feeling my best. I continue to fight for better treatments and a cure for Sarcoidosis, and in the meantime, I’m determined to live my life to the fullest.  

Some helpful tips for other business owners who are also living with Sarcoidosis  

As a business owner with Sarcoidosis, I understand the unique challenges of managing both a chronic illness and a business. It can be challenging to find the time and energy to stay on top of everything, but it is possible to manage both successfully. Here are some tips that have helped me:  

1. Make use of technology: There are many ways that technology can help make your life easier as a business owner with Sarcoidosis. For example, Live Free Virtual Services offers a range of services to help with appointment scheduling and social media management. 

2. Delegate and ask for help: Don’t try to do everything yourself – delegate tasks to others when possible and don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. 

3. Take care of yourself: Make sure to schedule time for yourself and do things that make you happy. This will help reduce stress levels and give you the energy to keep going. 

Sarcoidosis is a chronic illness that can be difficult to manage, but it is possible to live an entire and productive life with the disease. By using technology, delegation, and self-care, you can continue to grow your business while also taking care of yourself.  

Advice on how to manage your time and energy when you’re dealing with a chronic illness:

Managing your time and energy when dealing with a chronic illness can be daunting. There are many things to think about, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed. One way to make it easier is to take advantage of Live Free Virtual Services. Our services can help you with appointment scheduling to social media management. Make sure to schedule time for yourself and do things that make you happy. This will help reduce stress levels and give you the energy to keep going.  

Do you need help with your business? Live Free Virtual Services can help! We offer a range of services that can take the burden off your shoulders and help you grow your business. Book a discovery call today to learn more!