Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
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.
Battling sarcoidosis while riding a packed NYC train full of coughing strangers is already a thriller, but add a prednisone dose strong enough to summon my inner demon and suddenly chronic illness becomes a full-blown adventure in mood swings, resilience, and survival with humor.
A reader from Europe recently scolded me about the “slice-and-dice” American medical system—but as someone living with sarcoidosis, heart failure, and a knack for collecting diagnoses like airline miles, aggressive treatment is the reason I’m still breathing. Here’s what really happened, why “wait and see” nearly destroyed someone else’s life, and why I’ll take over-tested over overlooked any day.
Dealing with chronic illness is hard enough, but throw family dynamics, silent siblings, and a surprise heart failure diagnosis into the pot and watch the whole stew boil over. This honest, humorous look at navigating distance, disappointment, and sarcoidosis reminds you how choosing peace sometimes means choosing yourself.
When you’re a writer with chronic illness juggling deadlines, the last thing you expect is your editor ghosting you mid-contract. This cautionary tale dives into how one “faith-filled” editor turned out to be a crook—and what every writer, especially those managing sarcoidosis or other chronic conditions, can learn about protecting themselves (and their wallet).
Tate Basildon 