Surviving Chronic Illness: Life in a Body That Rebels
Surviving Chronic Illness: Life in a Body That Rebels is a lived experience podcast about surviving sarcoidosis, heart failure, rare disease, and the strange daily reality of having a body that does not always cooperate.
Hosted by Tate, a private chef, writer, husband, pet parent, and long-term sarcoidosis survivor, this podcast is not about miracle cures, medical lectures, or pretending that a positive attitude fixes everything. It is about the honest middle of chronic illness: the fatigue, fear, grief, humor, stubbornness, absurdity, and small victories that come with surviving day after day.
These are first-person stories about illness, identity, marriage, work, memory, resilience, and learning how to live inside a life that changed without asking permission. Some episodes are reflective. Some are funny. Some are angry. Some are tender. All of them come from the lived experience of someone still figuring it out in real time.
This podcast is for people living with chronic illness, sarcoidosis, rare disease, heart failure, autoimmune conditions, invisible illness, or any body that feels like it has gone off-script. It is also for caregivers, spouses, family members, and friends who want to better understand what illness feels like from the inside.
If you are tired of toxic positivity, pity, miracle-cure noise, and being told to “just stay strong,” you are in the right place.
This is a podcast for the sick, the tired, the stubborn, the scared, the sarcastic, the hopeful, and everyone trying to build a life in a body that rebels.
Surviving Chronic Illness: Life in a Body That Rebels
Living With Heart Failure And An AICD
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In 2007, a routine heart procedure turned into a life-changing diagnosis: heart failure. Nineteen 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.
This podcast is narrated using an AI voice. The words, reflections, and lived experience are my own.
To respond to this episode, use the text link in the episode notes, or send longer messages through the contact form at tatebasildon.com. I’m not able to respond to solicitations, outside projects, or interview requests.
To support sarcoidosis research or learn more, please visit The Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research
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