Help Taylor Loftis' Journey Through Sarcoidosis

Hey everyone! My name is Montana Loftis, and I so appreciate you taking the time to check out my amazing, bonus-sister's GoFund Me. Her name is Taylor, and she is a single mother of 2 precious kiddos, one 12, and one just over a year old. Taylor has some major health issues going on, and she is just trying to make ends meet, all the while taking care of my amazing nephew and precious niece. Here is a some of her story:

Sarcoidosis 23-24

This journey for me began back in Nov/Dec of 2023. I had been sick and was diagnosed with covid and flu b. I have had asthma for years and covid more than once. So weezing and tightness in the chest was no surprise to me. This continued until March. I had two episodes where I woke up feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest. Also the feeling of a severe panic attack. I couldn't calm down or regulate my breathing. I couldn't lay down to hold my daughter on my chest or stand with her for long periods of time. I couldn't even sit on the couch I was in so much pain in my back. Every breath just hurt!

After putting it off for a month with many prayers and at the urgent care, suggesting of my best friend (God bless her!) I finally got in with my GP. When I walked into the room, she immediately knew something was off. (She would later go on to tell me that God was using her to get me looked at). She sent me to get CTS stat, which happened the following day. Imaging showed masses in both lower longe, lymphnode involvement, spleen and liver enlargement. I was immediately referred to a pulmonologist. She has been a God send!

My first appointment with her she stated she was very concerned. I have no family history of lung cancer. I'm also a single mother, 33 years old with 2 children, one 12 the other 16 months. She told my mother and myself she wanted to do a bronchoscopy to rule out lyphodemea. I was in shock..but we agreed. No cancer praise Jesus! Samples came back for no viral or bacterial infection. Due to spleen involvement I was referred to a hematologist (at the cancer center!); they ran a full metabolic blood panel. Come to find out my ACE is high and that's a key indicator for sarcoidosis. I was there referred to rheumatology. (A 3 month waiting period) During that time I had respect CTs for pulmonlogy. They showed my liver was now involved and there was concerning tissue on it. I was scheduled for a liver CT and biopsy in July. From that biopsy praise the Lord no cancer! But it got me into the rheumatologist faster. In August I meet with the rheumatologist for the first time. Syptoms of fatigue are awful, gut pain, joint pain; I get sick all the time. Some days I can't function..doing it alone with 2 kids and a full time job. It's a lot and my depression has kicked in. I gained 7lbs of fluid in 4 days on my meds. I began havheadaches, blurry vision, dry eyes. All of this got me a referral to cardiology. Where I have to wait 2 hours before seeing the doctor for 5 mins! Frustrating to say the least! I wore a heart monitor for 2 weeks. No suspected heart issues at this time. But my rheumatologist is 90% sure it's in my heart since it's everywhere else. I saw her this past Tuesday, 10-1-24. She suggested we upped my dose methotrexate and now wants to do infusion therapy. Which puts me at an even greater risk for cancer..to say I'm overwhelmed is an understatement.

I didn't think we'd move to infusion this fast., but ive had no improvement, and my symptoms are worse. I also have a huge rash on my right leg, skin involvement of sarcoidosis, and spots in my tattoo on my left leg. I'm still trying to figure out how to cope with all of this. But I know the Lord has a plan for me!

Thank you again for taking the time to read Taylor's story. Any amount can help Taylor and her family out, TREMENDOUSLY!. Please pray about donating! She will be so appreciative of any amount raised.