Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
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.
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.
Ever had someone snatch your phone while you were just trying to show them a picture? Twice in one day, it hit me how much of my entire life—accounts, passwords, memories, even my brain power—now lives inside this little iPhone. As a chef with sarcoidosis and heart failure who once memorized entire bank account numbers and directions without GPS, I’m wrestling with the good, bad, and ridiculous sides of tech dependence.
Labor Day may feel bittersweet for most, but for me—a chef living with sarcoidosis and heart failure—it’s a relief. Summer’s heat, crowds, and entitlement give way to autumn’s crisp air, golden leaves, and the quiet comfort my body and spirit crave. Here’s why fall feels like freedom, and why I’ll always celebrate the end of summer.
If you live with heart failure, chronic illness, or just have a low tolerance for loud nonsense, you’re not alone in hating the Fourth of July fireworks. Here’s a sarcastic take from a private chef with sarcoidosis who would gladly trade in the “bombs bursting in air” for a drone show and a quiet night.
Tate Basildon 