Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
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.
There’s something oddly powerful about hurling your emotional baggage into a river. Literally. This ancient-inspired ritual of stones, bells, and Sharpies might just be the weird yet wonderful soul detox we didn’t know we needed. It involves embracing your inner mystic, but don’t worry—no peyote buttons required. Curious yet? You should be.
Living with chronic illness takes more than blind faith—it takes grit, humor, and a little rebellion. As a chef with sarcoidosis and heart failure, I’ve seen how spirituality can both heal and harm when people rely too heavily on divine intervention instead of their own strength. Here’s my honest take on faith, health, and the real work of living through it.
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.
Living with sarcoidosis is like starring in a medical drama no one else can see—one where you look perfectly fine on the outside while your organs do the cha-cha backstage. Back in 2011, when all of this felt new and terrifying, I kept most of it to myself. Now, looking back from 2025, I can’t help but revisit how invisible everything looked… especially to everyone who insisted I “didn’t look sick.” There’s a lot more to the story, but you’ll have to come inside for the rest.
Tate Basildon 