Private Chef, Writer & Podcaster
Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure, I’ve learned a thing or two about showing up even when life doesn’t make it easy. My biological father didn’t, but my stepdad—my real dad—did. This is a story about humor, strength, and learning to face illness with a smile instead of a complaint.
Prednisone and sarcoidosis have been in a long-term relationship with my body for years, and lately they’ve added a new plus-one: diabetes. So I tried a CGM for “easy” blood sugar tracking—because if I have to poke my fingers all day, I’m going to start charging admission. What I didn’t expect was a tech romance full of false reassurance, surprise pain, and numbers that looked comforting… until the lab results showed up with receipts.
After twenty years of living with sarcoidosis, heart failure, and more hospital visits than I can count, I’ve learned one thing: healthcare workers can make or break your experience. Some are angels in scrubs; others act like you’ve ruined their day just by existing. Here’s a raw, unfiltered look at what happens when compassion gets lost in the waiting room.
I saw a guy land a ridiculous roller-skating trick in a beach town and my brain immediately volunteered my body for a stunt it absolutely did not agree to. Living with sarcoidosis has taught me that nostalgia can be sweet, savage, and weirdly funny—and sometimes the bravest move is not proving anything at all.
Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure has taught me many things—chief among them? Asking for help often leads to more stress than it’s worth. If you’re chronically ill, fiercely independent, or just tired of being disappointed by well-meaning offers gone sideways, this one’s for you.
Tate Basildon 