Hi guys! Jerry, I have to agree that the letter you sent made me weep!!! I could just hear her voice and the lonliness and pain she felt. God Bless her. Just know that her life is better now. But one of the things that drew my attention was the description of the lung problems!!! One of the diseases that frequently caused problems among those folks of Melungeon heritage was a disease called sarcoidosis which was frequently lumped with TB, and consumption. Coughing, spitting up blood, and lesions on the lung are often found. Here is a description of that disease, taken from the National Organization of Rare Disorders website: <<SARCOIDOSIS is a disorder which affects many body systems. It is characterized by small round lesions of granulation tissue. (The ones I have seen are about the size of a quarter and flat.) Symptoms may vary with the severity of the disease. Fever, weight loss, joint pain, with liver involvement and enlarged lymph nodes are common. Cough and difficulty in breathing may occur. Skin disease marked by tender red nodules with fever and joint pain is a frequent manifestation. Onset is usually between 20 and 40 years.>> Nancy S