Alaina and Claire share an article about living alone with chronic illness and discuss their own experiences.

• Welcome to Episode 11!
• Claire has a new job!
• Alaina is waiting on more test results.
• Both discuss TikTok trends and generational expectations.
• Refinery 29 Article: Confronting My Chronic Illness Has Changed What It Means For Me To Be Single
• Living alone adds another layer of risk to having a chronic illness. Claire shares an experience from her college years. Alaina tells about the early stages of her diagnosis.
• How do you find the balance between independence and safety?
• How do you ask people to assist in your health and well-being?
• Shout-out to CVS pharmacists (and pharmacists in general)!
• Claire considers next steps in her own lifestyle.
• They talk about alternative living options and how social expectations impact our choices.
• Pause to reflect on the privilege of having these options! For those who don't have safe home settings, this is even more of a concern.
• Learn your emergency phone setting and share your location.
• Pro Tip: Set aside your pride and lean on technology when you need a drink!
• Important fact: Both Alaina and Claire can sleep through everything!
• Throwback movie: Mr. Holland's Opus.
• We are now accepting TikTok challenges.

Alaina and Claire celebrate World Health Day by each picking a global health issue to discuss.

• Claire tells us about her papers due today,
• Check out this video about female leadership!
• Alaina finally got her vaccine and had an adventure in Easter egg dying
• Claire tries to go off on a sci-fi tangent
• Alaina shares the history of World Health Day (which is not made up!); check it out: https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2021 
• Become more aware of disparities in vaccination and health passports and how you can help: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/02/01/racial-inequality-covid-vaccine/
• Claire chooses to talk more about the insulin crisis and why copay caps don't work
• Be sure to check out T1 International
• Alaina chooses to discuss maternal mortality rates in the US and abroad; check out the links below to learn more or to donate:
• https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-brief-report/2020/dec/maternal-mortality-united-states-primer#:~:text=The%20most%20recent%20U.S.%20maternal,after%20the%20day%20of%20birth
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality.
• https://ffbww.org/
• https://bwhi.org/.
• https://aapcho.org/.
• https://mutualaiddiabetes.com/
• https://www.charitynavigator.org/.
• http://www.ginandchronicpod.com 

Claire discusses her class's personality test results. Both Alaina and Claire reminisce about their most traumatic stair tumbles. Claire warns Alaina about an unknown side effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine. Both discuss their comfort foods (for a while!). Alaina explains her pandemic self-care rituals of music and coffee. Claire gets outside and talks to her dogs (listen closely to hear them talk back!). Both admit they miss physical touch and Claire expresses the challenge of that as a nurse. Alaina feels guilty about her escapism of listening to Harry Potter. Claire binges TV shows. Listeners share their own ideas and opinions. Alaina defends fuzzy socks. Claire isn't into journals. Hot take: your self care can be more than bubble baths! Claim your work life balance! If all else fails, use voice memos and walk with some dogs! Cheers!

• Alaina has a mullet. Claire practices her TikTok skills. Both are slaphappy.
• Meet Katie Karlberg, our first ever guest on the podcast!
• https://www.katiekarlbergphoto.com/ 
• Katie is an amazing photographer who has been featured on The Knot, Best of Weddings, for her beautiful work.
• Katie has always had eczema, but didn't feel its impact until she was in high school and became aware of societal pressure, alongside her own worsening conditions.
• Desperation led her to various social groups and dermatologists, all of whom have different opinions around topical steroids and other treatments.
• Katie gives her best advice around navigating different opinions and explains how she has tried many things to reach the point she is in now.
• Along the way, she has navigated her own mental health and career.
• She outlines the pros and cons of working as a business owner - to stay or go?!
• She gives her insight on how to best take medication and getting yourself out the door on the hardest days!
• Alaina and Claire wrap it up with more nonsense and updates on new ways to support G&C, coming soon!

• Claire introduces the Identity Wheel
• How/Why those with privilege don't recognize parts of their identities
• Will Claire ever stop touching her microphone?? (Answer... not yet anyway!)
• How do we both characterize ourselves?
• College Diabetes Network
• What exactly are "fun facts??"
• How chronic illnesses impact other aspects of our identities - including confidence, advocacy, etc.
• How did Alaina confront her shifting identity with a new diagnosis?
• Do we want to be known for our illness?
• How much can we control our perception?
• How much is "acceptable" to share about chronic illness?
• We evaluate identity in relation to social media...
• Are only supposed to show the resilience behind chronic illness or can we show weakness without being attention-seeking?
• Others' perception of our identities are projections of their own
• Who are you when you're alone?
• Claire's still waiting for her perfect partner!
• Who do we WANT to be?
• How do we assess our identities? Has that changed in the pandemic?
• Claire's becoming more introspective! We hope you're all learning too!
• We end on two of YOUR questions/stories!
• http://www.ginandchronicpod.com
• https://www.instagram.com/ginandchronicpod/

We're officially podcasters! Cheers to all of you!

Alaina is adjusting to a new space (sorry for the echo!)

Help us feel popular! Send us your stories!

Would you want any G&C merch??

Claire tells yet another story about skiing... Alaina is over it.

Read This! A brave family is seeking bone marrow donors to save their son with CML (what Alaina has)!

Claire tells us more about different types of insulin and technology for insulin-dependent diabetes and how she has had to advocate for herself in the past.

Why is it so hard to advocate in the health industry?

Medical Professionals: believe the patient and admit when you don't know.

Eat the chocolate cake!

Alaina continues her story from last episode about the struggles in getting her medication and shares a bit more about her own diagnosis.

Don't wait to advocate for yourself!

Here are our tips on advocating for yourself:

1. Speak up for yourself! YOU ARE VALUABLE!

2. Don't worry about politeness.

3. Communicate calmly and clearly.

3a. Express your emotions.

3b. Convey your expectations (so do your research).

4. Know your limits and designate an Advocacy Partner.

5. Know (and please share!) your resources!

What translation services are available for people?

Keep trying! It's worth it.

Stay in touch with us! We're here to help!

https://patientsforaffordabledrugs.org/about/

https://patientsforprescriptionaccess.com/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-power-of-a-health-care-advocate

http://www.ginandchronicpod.com

What are you doing this Valentine's Day?

Claire seems unsure of what Valentine's Day is... and repeats herself

Learn more about T1 International, the organization Claire works with

We wonder if Pharmaceutical companies are feeling any guilt at all

We discuss how intertwined insurance, pharmaceuticals, and policy are

We're here to remind you that there are other people in the world

Alaina explains her current battle with insurance and specialty pharmacies, and expresses concern over getting her medication in time

- Boy Pays for School Lunch Debt

Alaina accepts that many people may find her annoying, referencing New Girl Episode "Jess & Julia" (2012)

Alaina wonders why we're being prescribed dangerous drugs, but CBD is illegal in many states

Vote in your local elections!

Why Kevin's Law is so important

Nick Jonas's Superbowl Ad

Making the case for universal health care

Taking a look at health care abroad

Understanding Down Stream Health Care Systems; "Bandaid to a Bullet Hole"

Make Alaina's Galentine's Drink (Raspberry Bellini)

Go treat yourself!

http://www.ginandchronicpod.com

What does it mean to have a positive relationship with physical fitness? Alaina and Claire discuss how their relationships with physical fitness have changed throughout their lives and over the course of their illnesses Learn about how Alaina and Claire met and hear more about their fitness communities Alaina and Claire talk about their personal instruction style What does it really mean to "listen to your body?" Can you be addicted to fitness? Kick It By Eliza®: http://www.kickitbyeliza.com

Kick It By Eliza® membership

Website: http://www.ginandchronicpod.com  Instagram: @ginandchronicpod

Hear how we go from discussions of hair loss to Claire's big revelation of 2021

How much is too much to share? And when do we share it?

What makes Millennial men so bad at dating?

Claire picks Alaina as her emergency support system

We can take care of ourselves but sometimes we like a little extra love

Moms are the best

Is sharing about your diagnosis on social media attention seeking

Don't tell us about your uncle with cancer and your grandma with diabetes

Don't let anyone else own your diagnosis

Don't pretend you think my illness is cool if you don't (seriously we don't blame you)

If we didn't ask for your advice then we don't want it

How do you like to be supported?

What's your love language?

Psychology Today, Platinum Rule 

Urban Dictionary, Platinum Rule

Website: http://www.ginandchronicpod.com

Instagram: @ginandchronicpod