Short Stories – Tate Basildon

The Sinking Ship and the Whistling Chef: Sarcoidosis, Chronic Illness, and the Petty Art of Staying Afloat

Someone decided my take on living with sarcoidosis was “too upbeat,” like I’m out here harmonizing with woodland creatures while my body runs a nonstop group project I didn’t sign up for. But if you’ve ever tried to stay afloat in chronic illness while strangers critique your coping skills, you already know the real story isn’t about pretending—it’s about refusing to let misery run the whole kitchen…

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When Shingles Leave a Souvenir: My Ongoing Battle With Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

Living with chronic illness means collecting odd symptoms like souvenirs, but nothing prepared me for the nerve pain, phantom crawling, and burning sting shingles left behind. Here’s my long, winding, occasionally sarcastic journey with post-herpetic neuralgia, chronic pain, homeopathic experiments, and life with sarcoidosis—plus why an imaginary ant still runs laps on my face whenever it feels like it.

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Riding the Energy Roller Coaster: Life With Sarcoidosis, Heart Failure, and a Body That Changes Its Mind Daily

Living with sarcoidosis, heart failure, and a grab-bag of medications means my energy cycle runs on its own chaotic schedule. Some days I’m unstoppable; others I’m barely upright. Here’s how I navigate the ups, downs, and surprisingly emotional middle ground of chronic illness.

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Growing Older With Heart Failure: Finding Myself Between Generations

A chef living with heart failure and sarcoidosis reflects on what it feels like to age into the very demographic whose medical brochures once made him feel like an anomaly—and why finally fitting the picture is both comforting and unsettling in equal measure.

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The Mysterious Companion Who Never Leaves My Side: An Unexpected Friendship With My Lifesaving Device

Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure means sharing life with a quiet, loyal device that tracks every flutter, every scare, and every stubborn heartbeat. This is the story of the strange, funny, and unexpectedly comforting friendship that has kept me alive for nearly two decades.