There is an incredible mental/emotional toll in not being able to eat food. This week Bri and Jer have a powerful conversation with Maggie, a dedicated nurse battling Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS) and relying on Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) for over four years. What the f*** is SMAS? Essentially, Maggie's arteries are kinky. But not the fun kind of kinky.  SMAS is where the arteries kink off the small intestine, making eating a near-impossible feat. Maggie shares her poignant story of diagnosis on awareness day and the emotional toll of enduring TPN, from the relentless cravings to the isolating impact on mental health. This episode sheds light on the unseen struggles, giving a voice to those grappling with SMAS and redefining resilience in the face of adversity.

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Kinky Arteries & Relentless Cravings - Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS)

Sickboy is determined to break down the stigma associated with illness and disease. Join Jeremie, Brian and Taylor as they tackle health taboos with people who have experienced them firsthand. Taking the lead from Jeremie's life long battle with Cystic Fibrosis, the three best friends help us understand that sometimes the best way to deal with illness, disease and life is simply to laugh. 
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Society & Culture

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In a dance designed for two, what happens when the music stops for one? This week Jer and Tay go OG FGF mode. After introducing the newest member of the team, Haeley, Jer delves into the complex world of conjoined twins, particularly focusing on the rare and heartbreaking scenario where one twin dies but the other lives. We explore the various types of conjoined twins and the medical intricacies involved, from shared organs to separate sensations. Modern medicine offers some the possibility of separation, yet for others, like the famed Abby and Brittany Hensel, separation is not a viable option. To cap it all off, a small exploration of the meaning of Glass Child Syndrome. Not a kid that’s fragile, but a kid who feels like people see right through them.  
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What Happens When One Conjoined Twin Dies?

Sometimes, the world we see isn't just defined by light and shadows, but by the stories we tell and the voices we hear. Mara Hutchinson offers the fellas a candid glimpse into her life with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a rare eye disease that affects the retina. She’s lived a journey marked not just by challenges but also by profound resilience. Mara delves into how navigating the world with a white cane (or white stick, depending who you ask) is more than an exercise in mobility—it's a statement of independence and identity. In the wrap, the boys keep the visual disorders going with prosopometamorphopsia. If Picasso was a sociopathic god who designed people, he might have envisioned something like “propsy” as Jer puts it. 
 Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube. 
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Legally Blind or Faking It? - Retinitis Pigmentosa

Life is a storyboard, and every chapter counts, especially those we write in advance. Karine Diedrich, the Director of Advance Care Planning at the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) unravels the threads of advance care planning—a blueprint for future healthcare that aligns deeply with one's values and wishes. Karine explains the crucial distinctions between a living will and advance care directives, spotlighting the importance of the Platinum Rule: treating others with the dignity they define. In the Wrap Up the fellas take a deep dive under the surface of the ocean to explore the possibilities of age reversal. In 2023, Dr Joseph Dituri challenged himself to spend 100 days in a habitat located 30 feet underwater. Scuba Steve would be proud, but Brian isn’t impressed. 
 Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube. Follow Sickboy on Instagram, TikTok and Discord!

The Platinum Rule: Advance Care Planning

In the analog corners of Utah, Libby Slem navigates the digital age with a Luddite's charm and a warrior's grit, facing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This isn't your everyday pain; it's a journey through a rare nerve disease that transforms every facet of life, from motherhood's joys and trials to the heart's metallic beats, courtesy of an atrial septal defect. Libby's candid conversation unfolds the layers of CRPS, beyond the pain to the diagnosis stages, and the sheer impact on her personal and parenting life. With humor and gravity, she delves into the challenges of seeking support in a world barely scratching the surface of understanding chronic pain. 
 Our recent chronic pain episode 
 For more info on CRPS 
 Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube 
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A Luddite's Guide to Conquering Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Isobel's journey isn't just about battling Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS); it's a deep dive into resilience and self-discovery amidst the challenges of chronic illness. Facing skepticism and navigating a world not built for her, she shares the highs and lows of her path to recovery. Isobel walks the fellas through her mission to challenge the status quo by using her TikTok as tool to spread awareness about accessibility (or lack thereof) in London. Isobel's story is a clarion call for awareness and understanding, proving that embracing one's identity can be the first step toward meaningful change. 
 Be sure to follow Isobel on TikTok: @is0bellywelly 
 Catch the full video version of this episode on YouTube. 
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Kinky Arteries & Relentless Cravings - Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS)

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