https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/light-in-the-collapse-of-chronic-illness--6798790enHealth & FitnessCopyright Barely Functioning Broadcasthttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/3c62ea18a5c9f91ad3b70f915f80934d.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/light-in-the-collapse-of-chronic-illness--6798790Mon, 24 Nov 2025 17:31:21 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastBarely Functioning Broadcastfeeds@spreaker.comI am a 42-year-old woman with advanced, progressive chronic illness, and here I'll be sharing stories about my life of dealing with illness.cleanepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/nightmare-of-alter-ego-11-24-2025-m4a--68724540https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724540Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:22:01 +0000Barely Functioning Broadcast423cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/intro-to-the-next-intros-m4a--68724539https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724539Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:59 +0000Barely Functioning Broadcast455cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/voice-251123-174448-m4a--68724538https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724538Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:57 +0000Barely Functioning Broadcast799cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/voice-251122-213647-m4a--68724537https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724537Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:56 +0000Barely Functioning Broadcast276cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/10-absense-of-my-own-life-11-24-25-m4a--68724536 - Discussion on facing mortality and health decline.
- Middle-aged health issues and progression.
- Rapid and strong health deterioration.

Fear of Death vs. Desire to Live:
- Distinction between 'fear of death' and 'desire to live'.
- A wish for a long, healthy life with less suffering.
- Rejection of current life's high level of suffering.

Concerns Beyond Death:
- The scary aspect of the 'transitioning phase' of dying.
- Concern about the unknown 'after death' state.
- Worry about the soul being 'lost in a void'.

Attachment to Life:
- Deep attachment to life, loved ones, and animals.
- Refusal to give up on living despite immense suffering.
- Belief that the body is trying to die, but the individual is clinging on.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724536Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:54 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastMortality and Health Decline: - Discussion on facing mortality and health decline. - Middle-aged health issues and progression. - Rapid and strong health deterioration. Fear of Death vs. Desire to Live: - Distinction between 'fear of death' and... - Discussion on facing mortality and health decline.
- Middle-aged health issues and progression.
- Rapid and strong health deterioration.

Fear of Death vs. Desire to Live:
- Distinction between 'fear of death' and 'desire to live'.
- A wish for a long, healthy life with less suffering.
- Rejection of current life's high level of suffering.

Concerns Beyond Death:
- The scary aspect of the 'transitioning phase' of dying.
- Concern about the unknown 'after death' state.
- Worry about the soul being 'lost in a void'.

Attachment to Life:
- Deep attachment to life, loved ones, and animals.
- Refusal to give up on living despite immense suffering.
- Belief that the body is trying to die, but the individual is clinging on.]]>617chronicillness,death,decline,disability,disabled,dying,dysautonomia,eds,healthdecline,mortality,sick,soul,sufferingcleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/9-wins-and-losses-11-21-25-m4a--68724532 - Struggling with basic self-care due to cytokine storms and heart/lung issues.
- Overcompensation through computer/phone productivity for advocacy and passion projects.
- Use of cardiac guided meditation to cope with severe heart problems.

Fluctuating Health and Small Victories:
- Uncertainty regarding worsening heart condition versus a flare-up.
- Brief improvement in cytokine storm activity during the day.
- Accomplishment in making an awareness video for a missing person.

Sleep Disturbances and Delirium:
- Experience of delirium and disorientation before bedtime.
- Severe heart issues intensifying during the night.
- Concerns about coping with recurring nighttime health crises.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724532Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:53 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastHealth Challenges and Coping Mechanisms: - Struggling with basic self-care due to cytokine storms and heart/lung issues. - Overcompensation through computer/phone productivity for advocacy and passion projects. - Use of cardiac guided meditation to... - Struggling with basic self-care due to cytokine storms and heart/lung issues.
- Overcompensation through computer/phone productivity for advocacy and passion projects.
- Use of cardiac guided meditation to cope with severe heart problems.

Fluctuating Health and Small Victories:
- Uncertainty regarding worsening heart condition versus a flare-up.
- Brief improvement in cytokine storm activity during the day.
- Accomplishment in making an awareness video for a missing person.

Sleep Disturbances and Delirium:
- Experience of delirium and disorientation before bedtime.
- Severe heart issues intensifying during the night.
- Concerns about coping with recurring nighttime health crises.]]>274cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/8-bronchospasms-health-decline-heart-decline-11-21-25-m4a--68724530 - Worsening health conditions, including cardiac issues and breathlessness.
- Limited sleep and overwhelming cardiac near-syncope.
- Invisible condition causing significant distress.

Bronchospasm Episodes and COVID-19 Impact:
- Recurrent bronchospasms, intensified post-COVID-19.
- Bronchospasm occurrence during speech, leading to pauses.
- Triggered by specific coughs, often due to throat tickle or postnasal drip.

Intense Cardiac and Headache Symptoms:
- Off-the-charts heart issues and palpitations.
- Difficulty eating due to heart's reaction to food.
- Unusual and severe headache, possibly a migraine.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724530Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:49 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastSevere Health Deterioration: - Worsening health conditions, including cardiac issues and breathlessness. - Limited sleep and overwhelming cardiac near-syncope. - Invisible condition causing significant distress. Bronchospasm Episodes and COVID-19... - Worsening health conditions, including cardiac issues and breathlessness.
- Limited sleep and overwhelming cardiac near-syncope.
- Invisible condition causing significant distress.

Bronchospasm Episodes and COVID-19 Impact:
- Recurrent bronchospasms, intensified post-COVID-19.
- Bronchospasm occurrence during speech, leading to pauses.
- Triggered by specific coughs, often due to throat tickle or postnasal drip.

Intense Cardiac and Headache Symptoms:
- Off-the-charts heart issues and palpitations.
- Difficulty eating due to heart's reaction to food.
- Unusual and severe headache, possibly a migraine.]]>327cachexia,chronicillness,dysautonomia,heartissues,malnourished,malnutrition,near-syncope,presyncope,underweightcleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/7-some-cytokine-symptoms-11-20-25-m4a--68724528https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724528Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:47 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastIn this episode, I discuss some of my cytokine release symptoms. I couldn't list them all because there are too many, and I suddenly dropped off at the end due to medical mishaps. Oh, the irony... or lack of irony, for that matter!478autoimmune,autonomicfailure,chronicillness,disability,disabled,dysautonomia,eds,ill,immunesystem,immunodeficiency,mastcell,mcascleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/6-dr-appt-dilemma-11-19-25-m4a--68724527 - Scheduled gynecologist appointment on November 19th, 2025.
- Consideration of rescheduling due to severe cytokine symptoms and general malaise.
- Concerns about potential exposure to illness and physical exertion.

Medical Condition and Risks
- Ongoing chaotic medical event with daily severe cytokine symptoms.
- Risk of exacerbating current health issues and potential hospitalization.

Logistical Challenges and Location
- Difficulty with mobility, including transferring to a wheelchair and car.
- Appointment location at 205 East Laurel Road, Stratford, New Jersey.
- Uncertainty about the office type and its proximity to a hospital.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68724527Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:21:45 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastGynecologist Appointment Dilemma - Scheduled gynecologist appointment on November 19th, 2025. - Consideration of rescheduling due to severe cytokine symptoms and general malaise. - Concerns about potential exposure to illness and physical exertion.... - Scheduled gynecologist appointment on November 19th, 2025.
- Consideration of rescheduling due to severe cytokine symptoms and general malaise.
- Concerns about potential exposure to illness and physical exertion.

Medical Condition and Risks
- Ongoing chaotic medical event with daily severe cytokine symptoms.
- Risk of exacerbating current health issues and potential hospitalization.

Logistical Challenges and Location
- Difficulty with mobility, including transferring to a wheelchair and car.
- Appointment location at 205 East Laurel Road, Stratford, New Jersey.
- Uncertainty about the office type and its proximity to a hospital.]]>448cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/5-racing-against-the-clock-to-gain-weight-m4a--68643009https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68643009Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:16:56 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastI'm filled with worry now that this weight loss is going to be what kills me, as I'm only one pound away from the line I've drawn of when I'll finally cave to get a feeding tube — and I don't want one. So, I'm racing against the clock to try to gain...806cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/4-fragile-health-m4a--68643008https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68643008Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:10:01 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastMy health is so fragile, and that's why mainstream treatments always cause me issues.401cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/3-eating-all-i-can-november-18-2025-251pm-m4a--68626198https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68626198Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:26:32 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastI'm dealing with such emaciation (skin and bones) that I feel pressed for time, almost like I'm fighting against the clock with trying to gain at least one pound back. So, I'm essentially over-indulging in food, which has its own set of consequences....407cleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/2-trying-to-gain-weight-november-18-2025-m4a--68626138https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68626138Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:20:30 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastI'm trying to figure out how to gain weight when my body is signaling that it clearly doesn't want food.443autonomicfailure,bedridden,cfs,chronicillness,decline,disabilities,disability,disabled,dysautonomia,eds,emaciated,emaciation,gastroparesis,ill,motility,neuromuscular,nmd,weight,weightloss,wheelchaircleanfullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-weight-loss-scare-m4a--68625980https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68625980Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:12:30 +0000Barely Functioning BroadcastMy illness is progressing, and my weight is dropping.380autonomicfailure,bedridden,cachexia,cfs,chronicallyill,chronicillness,disabilities,disability,disabled,dysautonomia,eds,emaciated,emaciation,gastroparesis,neuroimmune,neuromuscular,nmd,underweight,weight,wheelchaircleanfull