Chronic Chats

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 In this podcast episode, the host invites her Instagram friend Mary to share her story of chronic illness, which began in middle school and has included a series of ailments such as insomnia, brain fog, anxiety, headaches, and migraines. Mary details her experiences from middle school through college, a traumatic car accident, mission work post-college, and the ongoing struggle with symptoms while battling Lyme disease, mold exposure, heavy metals, and other health issues. The discussion touches on the emotional and psychological tolls, interactions with both conventional and holistic medicine, the importance of advocating for oneself, seeking therapy, and integrating small joys into daily life. Both express the challenges of dealing with chronic illness, the emotional burden, and the importance of community and support.

Follow her on Instagram @themarykhadivi 

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In this episode, the host interviews Ashley, who shares her journey of dealing with chronic Lyme disease. Ashley discusses her initial symptoms in early 2020, including numbness and severe leg pain, which escalated over time. She talks about her eventual diagnosis, the challenges of finding the right medical treatment, and her mental health struggles. Ashley also highlights the impact of her illness on her personal life, including her career and relationships. Despite the setbacks, she finds support within the chronic illness community and discusses the importance of validation and awareness. 

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In this episode I share many of the stories, throughout the years, that I should have reported, bad and good. There are doctors that you'll never forget, who went way outside their purview to help you in ways most doctors today don't. And then there are the plethora of doctors you'll never forget, because of how deliberately and obscenely they treated you. Most chronically sick people have plenty of stories, and here on this episode I share with you some of mine.  

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In this episode, I straddle the parallel worlds of those who are chronically sick, and those who are able-bodied and otherwise healthy people. I go through some very specific examples, and ultimately make the point that it is vital we respect, sympathize, empathize and make room at the table for those who aren't like us (whatever your life looks like). 

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   Trigger Warning: This episode covers the topic of unaliving. If this topic is a sensitive one for you, I suggest you skip this one. We'll see you back for episode 3 xoxo
   
   In this episode, I share my experience inside a psych facility. It was a time I never thought I'd experience, and it was a lot. I learned a lot about people in my situation, I learned a lot about bipolar and schizophrenia, I learned a lot about myself. Those 8 days saved me from a fatal ending, too soon. 

   If you are struggling with thoughts of ending your life, of escaping the pain in a fatal way, please reach out for help. If not to someone close to you, then to a total stranger. I had to do both, and I know in those moments, the last thing you want is to talk to someone, much less a complete stranger. But it saved me, and it can save you. 
Remember this: In the moment you think you cannot go on, ask yourself this: Do I actually want to die, or do I just want this situation I'm in (the pain I'm in) to end? Often times, it's the latter. Which means you can get past this with help. So please reach out. In the USA you can text 988 or call, and someone will help walk you through what you're feeling, and what to do next.  

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Season 2:Episode 1 .:. In this episode, I share with you the choices I've been given to reach remission from 24yrs of Lyme disease. There's something involving bees, there's another option involving IVs, and then there's just stopping to recognize that despite all of these barbaric choices I have to choose between, there is purpose; a story to tell. 

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It's been five months since my last chat on here! Four months longer than I anticipated. But I have since returned from San Diego, where I was trying some more advanced treatments for the Lyme disease I'm battling with. And I came back with a lot more than I left with. 

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It's not shocking that chronic illness goes hand-in-hand with affective disorders like depression and anxiety. However, to be clear, I do not believe that depression causes chronic illness. And I do not believe that anyone should ever assume our symptoms to be "psychosomatic."
That's not what this is about.
This chat covers how chronic illness can cause depression. Not only because of the obvious situational/circumstantial depression. But it also covers when chronic illnesses like Lyme, cross over the blood-brain barrier, causing severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and (Trigger Warning) su!c!de. 
This is my story. 

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In this episode, Tiana covers a topic that needs to be discussed and educated on further as a society: service dog discrimination. She shares her experiences being denied housing, transportation and general access because she has a service dog. Further she discusses how you should act around a service dog, the do's and don'ts of approaching one, and how you should respond to one if you are a business owner. 

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Gaslighting, all by itself, is a dangerous practice. But medical gaslighting is on another level. If you've experienced this yourself, or not, you need to hear this episode. Tiana explores the topic and shares her experiences, and highlights the story of an 8yr old in Alabama who's going through it.

Follow me on Instagram to get a more intimate look at my journey with all-things chronic illness
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