Thoughts While Surviving Chronic Illness
@tatebasildon.bsky.social
Private chef. Sarcoidosis-infused life commentary.
Heart failure, AICD, Diabetes and a stubborn refusal to quit.
Hosting a podcast, trying to stay alive and stay funny.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #heartfailure #livedexperience #patientvoice #diabetes
Heart failure, AICD, Diabetes and a stubborn refusal to quit.
Hosting a podcast, trying to stay alive and stay funny.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #heartfailure #livedexperience #patientvoice #diabetes
January 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM
The Mysterious Companion Who Never Leaves My Side: An Unexpected Friendship With My Lifesaving Device
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.
tatebasildon.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:05 AM
The Mysterious Companion Who Never Leaves My Side: An Unexpected Friendship With My Lifesaving Device
You don’t owe anyone optimism. Showing up honestly while living with sarcoidosis is enough. Surviving is not a small thing.
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #realnotbrave #livedexperience
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #realnotbrave #livedexperience
January 4, 2026 at 10:16 PM
You don’t owe anyone optimism. Showing up honestly while living with sarcoidosis is enough. Surviving is not a small thing.
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #realnotbrave #livedexperience
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #realnotbrave #livedexperience
Living with sarcoidosis means adapting again and again. That flexibility? That courage? It counts, even when it’s exhausting.
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #adaptation #resilience
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #adaptation #resilience
January 4, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Living with sarcoidosis means adapting again and again. That flexibility? That courage? It counts, even when it’s exhausting.
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #adaptation #resilience
Still here. Still trying.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #adaptation #resilience
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
When Prednisone Turns You Into a Walking Mood Swing: A Chef’s Comically Chaotic Reality
When Prednisone Turns You Into a Walking Mood Swing: A Chef’s Comically Chaotic Reality
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.
tatebasildon.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:07 AM
When Prednisone Turns You Into a Walking Mood Swing: A Chef’s Comically Chaotic Reality
Doctor: “Your Vit D is low. Take 1400 units a day”
Me: “Okay, but given my sarcoidosis and calcium is normal, shouldn’t I take a lower dose or none and monitor?”
Doctor: *Thinks* “Yes. You’re right. Take a low dose”
Me: *Roll my eyes*
Me: “Okay, but given my sarcoidosis and calcium is normal, shouldn’t I take a lower dose or none and monitor?”
Doctor: *Thinks* “Yes. You’re right. Take a low dose”
Me: *Roll my eyes*
January 2, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Doctor: “Your Vit D is low. Take 1400 units a day”
Me: “Okay, but given my sarcoidosis and calcium is normal, shouldn’t I take a lower dose or none and monitor?”
Doctor: *Thinks* “Yes. You’re right. Take a low dose”
Me: *Roll my eyes*
Me: “Okay, but given my sarcoidosis and calcium is normal, shouldn’t I take a lower dose or none and monitor?”
Doctor: *Thinks* “Yes. You’re right. Take a low dose”
Me: *Roll my eyes*
Stones, Sarcasm, and Spiritual Spring Cleaning: My Native-Inspired Ritual for Chronic Healing
Stones, Sarcasm, and Spiritual Spring Cleaning: My Native-Inspired Ritual for Chronic Healing
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.
tatebasildon.com
January 1, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Stones, Sarcasm, and Spiritual Spring Cleaning: My Native-Inspired Ritual for Chronic Healing
Happy New Year!
💥🎉🥳🎊
💥🎉🥳🎊
January 1, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Happy New Year!
💥🎉🥳🎊
💥🎉🥳🎊
Internet trolls are just unhappy people that need everyone else around them to also be bitter. I ignore and block. Never engage.
January 1, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Internet trolls are just unhappy people that need everyone else around them to also be bitter. I ignore and block. Never engage.
Living with sarcoidosis changes how you hear the world. When your body is already loud—symptoms, appointments, negotiations—silence isn’t empty. It’s necessary. Quiet moments, unplanned and human, became one of my most reliable survival tools.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness
Learning to Sit With the Quiet: How Silence Became My Survival Skill While Living With Sarcoidosis
Living with sarcoidosis has a way of changing how you hear the world. When your body is already loud with symptoms, appointments, and internal negotiations, silence stops feeling empty and starts feeling necessary. This reflection explores how quiet moments—unexpected, unplanned, and deeply human...
thoughtswhilesurvivingchronicillness.buzzsprout.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:23 AM
Living with sarcoidosis changes how you hear the world. When your body is already loud—symptoms, appointments, negotiations—silence isn’t empty. It’s necessary. Quiet moments, unplanned and human, became one of my most reliable survival tools.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness
It’s New Year’s Eve.
Your body does not know this.
Pace yourself. Take your meds. Go to bed early.
The ball drops whether you’re awake or not.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #newyearseve #livedexperience
Your body does not know this.
Pace yourself. Take your meds. Go to bed early.
The ball drops whether you’re awake or not.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #newyearseve #livedexperience
December 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
It’s New Year’s Eve.
Your body does not know this.
Pace yourself. Take your meds. Go to bed early.
The ball drops whether you’re awake or not.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #newyearseve #livedexperience
Your body does not know this.
Pace yourself. Take your meds. Go to bed early.
The ball drops whether you’re awake or not.
#sarcoidosis #chronicillness #newyearseve #livedexperience
December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I have prednisone induced diabetes. A1C cam in at 6.5. Dr says “you’re doing well.”
Oh hell no doc, that ain’t doing well. At all. Doing well is below 5.5. Docs just like to keep us sick.
#chronicillness #diabetes #sarcoidosis #bereal
Oh hell no doc, that ain’t doing well. At all. Doing well is below 5.5. Docs just like to keep us sick.
#chronicillness #diabetes #sarcoidosis #bereal
December 31, 2025 at 3:33 AM
I have prednisone induced diabetes. A1C cam in at 6.5. Dr says “you’re doing well.”
Oh hell no doc, that ain’t doing well. At all. Doing well is below 5.5. Docs just like to keep us sick.
#chronicillness #diabetes #sarcoidosis #bereal
Oh hell no doc, that ain’t doing well. At all. Doing well is below 5.5. Docs just like to keep us sick.
#chronicillness #diabetes #sarcoidosis #bereal
Romantic picnic = eating Thai food in the car
in a foggy, cold, windy park
with my wife.
Weather said no. We said still counts.
#love #marriage #livedexperience
in a foggy, cold, windy park
with my wife.
Weather said no. We said still counts.
#love #marriage #livedexperience
December 31, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Romantic picnic = eating Thai food in the car
in a foggy, cold, windy park
with my wife.
Weather said no. We said still counts.
#love #marriage #livedexperience
in a foggy, cold, windy park
with my wife.
Weather said no. We said still counts.
#love #marriage #livedexperience
Fell asleep on the couch
with a cat on my chest
like a medically fragile piece of furniture.
Honestly thriving.
#catlife #chronicillness #livedexperience
with a cat on my chest
like a medically fragile piece of furniture.
Honestly thriving.
#catlife #chronicillness #livedexperience
December 30, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Fell asleep on the couch
with a cat on my chest
like a medically fragile piece of furniture.
Honestly thriving.
#catlife #chronicillness #livedexperience
with a cat on my chest
like a medically fragile piece of furniture.
Honestly thriving.
#catlife #chronicillness #livedexperience
Ordered Thai takeout and was asked—repeatedly—
If it was gluten free.
At this point the food was emotionally gluten free too.
#glutenfree #takeoutlife #chronicillness
If it was gluten free.
At this point the food was emotionally gluten free too.
#glutenfree #takeoutlife #chronicillness
December 30, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Ordered Thai takeout and was asked—repeatedly—
If it was gluten free.
At this point the food was emotionally gluten free too.
#glutenfree #takeoutlife #chronicillness
If it was gluten free.
At this point the food was emotionally gluten free too.
#glutenfree #takeoutlife #chronicillness
December 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Went in for one blood test.
Left with three.
A1C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B.
Nothing says chronic illness like “since you’re already here.”
#chronicillness #livedexperience #patientvoice
Left with three.
A1C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B.
Nothing says chronic illness like “since you’re already here.”
#chronicillness #livedexperience #patientvoice
December 30, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Went in for one blood test.
Left with three.
A1C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B.
Nothing says chronic illness like “since you’re already here.”
#chronicillness #livedexperience #patientvoice
Left with three.
A1C, Vitamin D, Vitamin B.
Nothing says chronic illness like “since you’re already here.”
#chronicillness #livedexperience #patientvoice
Why Aggressive Doctors Saved My Life: A Sarcoidosis Patient’s Honest Take on US vs UK Care
Why Aggressive Doctors Saved My Life: A Sarcoidosis Patient’s Honest Take on US vs UK Care
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.
tatebasildon.com
December 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Why Aggressive Doctors Saved My Life: A Sarcoidosis Patient’s Honest Take on US vs UK Care
Sarcoidosis is rare. Unless you have it. Then it’s extremely well-represented in your daily schedule. #sarcoidosis #chronicillness #livedexperience
December 30, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Sarcoidosis is rare. Unless you have it. Then it’s extremely well-represented in your daily schedule. #sarcoidosis #chronicillness #livedexperience
Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure taught me this: asking for help often creates more stress than it saves. If you’re chronically ill, fiercely independent, or tired of well-meant offers going sideways—this one’s for you.
#sarcoidosis #heartfailure #chronicillness
#sarcoidosis #heartfailure #chronicillness
Why I'd Rather Crawl Than Ask For Help: A Chronic Illness Reality
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.Subscribe...
www.buzzsprout.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Living with sarcoidosis and heart failure taught me this: asking for help often creates more stress than it saves. If you’re chronically ill, fiercely independent, or tired of well-meant offers going sideways—this one’s for you.
#sarcoidosis #heartfailure #chronicillness
#sarcoidosis #heartfailure #chronicillness
Nothing builds character like an immune system that improvises. Sarcoidosis really said “surprise me.” #sarcoidosis #autoimmunelife #darkhumor #livedexperience
December 29, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Nothing builds character like an immune system that improvises. Sarcoidosis really said “surprise me.” #sarcoidosis #autoimmunelife #darkhumor #livedexperience
December 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM