National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

I was starting treatment for sarcoidosis in May of 2006 when my breast cancer was diagnosed. Sarcoid is a rare disease, which sometimes causes severe problems, but often goes away by itself. So my doctors stopped all sarcoid treatment until after my cancer treatment was complete. One good thing about chemo is that it also got rid of the sarcoid, temporarily. (Sarcoid is an autoimmune problem where your body creates killer T cells that go after some unknown virus. When the T-cells overproduce you get masses of Granuloma in your body tissues. The Granuloma look like tumors in CT scans.) I have Granuloma masses in my lungs, lymph, breast, skin, nasal passages, sinuses and who knows where else.

Now, 16 months after the chemo, my sarcoid has begun to cause problems again. This time it looks like the Granuloma have moved into my thyroid. At least that is my hope. Doctors say it may be Granuloma or may be cancer, thyroid or breast cancer metastases. I am scheduled for a RAIU scan today and tomorrow to find out more. As much as my brain says that this is NOT breast cancer, I cannot beat the fear that it might have returned.

Wish me luck!