Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
Living with chronic illness means juggling more than fatigue and pain—it’s the nonstop cost of staying alive. From $280,000 heart surgeries to sky-high insurance premiums, surviving in America’s healthcare system feels like a full-time job. Here’s what it’s really like to navigate life, love, and medical debt when your body—and the system—won’t cut you a break.
In 2007, a routine heart procedure turned into a life-changing diagnosis: heart failure. Eighteen years later, I’m still here—living with sarcoidosis, a defibrillator in my chest, and the constant awareness that my next heartbeat might depend on a tiny piece of metal and code. This is what surviving with an AICD really feels like—equal parts miracle, nuisance, and reminder to keep going.
When the FBI rescued 57 victims of forced labor from a Florida mansion tied to the so-called Kingdom of God Global Church, I was left wondering how people can be this evil—and how others can still believe their lies. It’s a story about greed, manipulation, and the dark side of blind faith that masquerades as divine truth.
Living with chronic illness means oxygen is my lifeline—but it shouldn’t cost as much as a used car battery to keep breathing. From the clunky “wine bottle” tanks of 2007 to Inogen’s sleek Rove 6 portable concentrators, I’ve tested it all. Here’s the evolution of oxygen tech, the hidden truth about manufacturing costs, and why patients deserve fair pricing.
Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure means even simple tasks can feel like climbing a mountain. This raw, heartfelt reflection from a private chef and debut novelist explores chronic fatigue, aging, and the exhausting work of keeping up appearances while living with a chronic illness.
Tate Basildon 