Calling In Sick

This week on Calling in Sick, we’re diving into one of the most begged-for topics in women’s health… hormones. We talk about what they actually do, how they impact chronic illness, and why SO many of us are misdiagnosed or dismissed for years. I’m joined by Dr. Shawn Tassone, America’s Holistic Gynecologist, a double board-certified OB/GYN + Integrative Medicine MD with a PhD in Mind-Body Medicine. He’s known for blending science and spirituality, calling out misinformation online, and giving women the tools to finally understand their bodies. We’re breaking down: 🧩 Hormones 101 — what they really control (hint: it’s way beyond PMS) 🔥 Hormones & Chronic Illness — autoimmune overlap, stress load, flare patterns 🩺 What you can do — red flags, labs that matter, treatments and integrative care 🚨 Hormone Mythbusting — cortisol panic, “balancing your hormones,” internet BS If hormones feel like a mystery box, this episode will make everything finally click. xx, Alex 💬 Comment: What’s ONE hormone symptom you wish doctors took seriously? TIMESTAMPS Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:02:39 Alex’s Picks of the Week (MERCH!!, Giveaway, Corkcicle, Hatch) Interview with Dr. Tassone 00:05:34 Intro to Hormones 00:10:50 Intro to Dr. Tassone (who he is, what he does and how he became the Hormone Guru) 00:18:33 Why there is SO much misinformation online about health 00:21:58 Calling in Sick Merch Drop Details 00:25:48 Women's Health & Narrative Medicine Women's Hormones 00:30:17 Why women's hormone health has been overlooked for SO long 00:32:57 The black box warning on women's hormone treatment 00:40:15 When should you look into your hormone health (testing & treatment) 00:44:52 The wrench that insurance throws into this mix (Alex's most recent crashout & impact to procedures) 00:49:50 Current hormone treatments on the market 00:53:57 Rapid Fire Myth Busting and why hormones impact chronic illness Conclusion: 00:58:48 One Brain Cell Segment 01:01:01 Where to find Dr. Tassone & Thank You!! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week:These are my favorite finds to start my morning softly… and without spills! ✨Corckcicle, Sierra Leakproof Cruiser — go.shopmy.us/p-30936310 — CODE: ShopMy20 for 20% off at checkout ✨Hatch, Restore 3 — go.shopmy.us/p-32313847 — $30 off until 12/2, or until it sells out!! MERCH IS LIVE! https://calling-in-sick.myshopify.com/ #HormoneHealth #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #MindBodyConnection #WomenHealth #DrShawnTassone #HormoneBalanceBible #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #IntegrativeMedicine #Endometriosis #PCOS #Inflammation #MedicalGaslighting #HolisticGynecology #Cortisol #HRT #functionalmedicine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month has been a whirlwind, filled with highs and lows that nearly took a toll. The host dives into the consequences of pushing personal boundaries around food, sleep, and socializing. Testing dietary limits leads to unexpected illness while sleep proves crucial for stability. Despite physical setbacks, socializing brings unexpected joy. The journey highlights the balance between living life fully and managing health. Tune in for reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and plans for a more balanced approach moving forward!

I had a toddler-level crash out this week… like, full-on crying mid–Hot Girl Walk. In this episode, I try to make sense of where it came from. Hint: my brain was definitely trying to protect me. Between the prednisone taper, nonstop testing, and the mental gymnastics of waiting for answers, I didn’t realize how much my anxiety had been brewing under the surface. So today, I’m getting real about what’s actually behind it — and what this latest meltdown taught me. I open up about: 😭 How the literal anticipation of bad news made me crash out 🧠 The sneaky tricks our brains play on us (and why we need to not borrow tomorrow’s trouble) 🩺 Why negative test results can feel like heartbreak 💔 How hard it can be when those you love fail to support you in the way you need 🤯 How I gaslit myself into questioning if I can even be a mom Anxiety really is one SOB, isn’t it?!  xx,Alex 💬 Comment: How do YOU want people to show up for you when you’re struggling — with shit talking, solutions, solidarity, or silliness? TIMESTAMP: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:03:10 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Elastique, Lola Blanket) Why I crashed the F out: 00:04:40 Confession time (ie: I crashed out) 00:08:12 Why I think I got so anxious 00:10:35 How my brain started to play tricks on me 00:14:52 My medical update 00:20:26 What I know for sure: my current protocol isn’t working 00:2250 My reframe since my crash out 00:25:00 The 4 different ways that people need support 00:27:47 The 3 reasons that people may not show up for you when you need them most Conclusion: 00:34:11 One Brain Cell Show: Dancing with the Stars 00:35:27 My approach for the next 2 months 00:36:18 Thanks for Calling in Sick with me this week!! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: During the rollercoaster of this week, I’ve been leaning into anything that makes life easier, and these 2 have been absolute lifesavers ✨Elastique - https://go.shopmy.us/p-23182655 ✨Lola Blankets - https://go.shopmy.us/p-29496707 ALEXWILD for 55% off at checkout #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #ChronicIllness #ChronicIllnessAwareness #SpoonieLife #SpoonieSupport #ChronicPain #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicFatigue #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #HealthAnxiety #PrednisoneProblems #VasculitisWarrior #ChronicIllnessCommunity #SpooniePodcast #IllnessJourney #MedicalMystery #MindBodyConnection #SelfCompassion #ChronicWarrior #BrainHealth #TraumaHealing #HealthUpdate #PatientPerspective #Duality #AutoimmuneLife #HealthPodcast #SpoonieStories  #EmotionalHealing  #ChronicIllnessAdvocate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, we talked about giving ourselves permission to have fun — but this week? We’re swinging the pendulum back the other way. Because I made zero adjustments and just had fun… which was great until it wasn’t. Truth is, one of the hardest people to set boundaries with is actually ourselves. In this episode, I talk through what it looks like to chase joy, crash hard, and try to recover without beating yourself up. Spoiler alert: I’m recording this after two straight days of IVIG, so I’m right in the thick of it. Here’s what we get into: 🚷 Why we need to set boundaries with ourselves to make life sustainable 🧳 The “oops I had fun and now I’m in spoon jail” cycle 🌿 Ottine road trips, mineral springs, and my new “Come With Me” content series 🪑 The adjustments I’m making in real time This one’s for the people who are 0 or 100, all or nothing, go-go-go until your joints give out. You’re not lazy. You’re not failing. You’re just human — and that’s more than enough. Thanks for Calling in Sick with me, again 💛 xx, Alex Comment: What’s one boundary you’re learning to set with yourself lately? Need to catch up on last week's episode? Here! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:00:30 Alex Life Updates! 00:03:00 Alex’s Picks of the Week! (discount code & links below) 00:04:28 The asterisk that should come after “Just Have Fun!” 00:06:00 How I allocate spoons (aka my energy!!) 00:11:30 Why I landed myself in sick chick jail this week (sorry for having a good time!!!) 00:15:43 Introducing My New Content Series, Come With Me!! 00:20:10 What Boundaries I’m Putting Up Against Myself 00:23:05 One Brain Cell TV: Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple) 00:28:06 LOVE YOU GUYS! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack -  https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨The Detox Market — https://go.shopmy.us/p-19681555 ———- ALEXWILDDETOX15 for 15% off at checkout! ✨Tower 28, SOS Line — https://go.shopmy.us/p-19830687 #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #selfadvocacy #medicalbias   #vasculitis #mixedconnectivetissuedisease #ibd #irritableboweldisease #trauma #ptsd #mentalhealthmatters #findjoy #glimmers #guiltforjoy  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by Dr. Preston Roche—a psychiatry resident, former Air Force Academy track athlete, and viral medical content creator known as ⁠ ⁨@itspresro⁩ ⁠. Preston brings a blend of clinical insight and personal vulnerability and I share my experience with acute and chronic pain (including how I think about and manage CRPS). Together, we dive into the messy, misunderstood world of chronic pain, mental health, and medical bias. In this episode, we talk: 🧠 How today’s doctors learn about pain (chronic and acute), and how that compares to real life 📉 Why chronic pain can be dismissed in ER or hospital settings 🥼 Why patients struggle with seeking pain relief 💛 How to advocate for yourself and your pain (and why certain phrases may be working AGAINST you!)
 💊 What pain relief options can we have in our toolbox? ⚠️ The deep overlap between depression and pain (and why being in the hospital spikes this connection 👀 The Truth Behind the Chronic Pain and Illness Olympics Whether you’ve been dismissed by a doctor, told your symptoms are “in your head,” or just want to understand your body better—this one’s for you. You are not making it up. You are not alone. And you deserve care that actually cares. Thanks for Calling in Sick with us 💛xx,
Alex 💬 Comment: How has chronic illness impacted your mental health? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:02:00 Alex’s Picks of The Week 00:02:51 Interview with Preston Roche 00:07:55 How Pain is Taught to Today’s Doctors - from the class room to the hospital 00:11:30 Why is My Pain Questioned in the Hospital? 00:18:50 Have I Suffered Enough to Receive Pain Relief? 00:23:14 The Relationship between Doctors and Chronic Illness Patients 00:26:32 Why “I know my body best” and “I have a high pain tolerance” may get you dismissed by medical professionals 00:41:06 Hospitalization and In-Patient Pain and Mental Health Management 00:48:47 The different types of psychological pain 00:56:13 Why “it’s just anxiety” is a problem for people with chronic illnesses 01:00:01 Is it our fault to feel depressed, anxiety or pain?01:09:11 The Truth Behind the Sick and Pain Olympics 01:16:00 The One Brain Cell Segment 01:21:51 LOVE YOU GUYS! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨Feet Warmies — https://getwarmertimes.com/collections/warmers/products/toe-warmers ✨Saje — https://go.shopmy.us/p-18164585 Resources on Understanding Pain and Pain Management: • https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2661581 • https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2673971 #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #neurology #selfadvocacy #medicalbias #prestonroche #psychiatry #chronicpainandmentalhealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, we’re diving deep into a condition that’s often misunderstood, minimized, or completely missed: endometriosis. I’m joined by the wonderful Autumn Weimann (@grlwithbangs)—naturopathic doctor (@period.prep), clean beauty founder (@Banginhair.shop), and advocate for body-literate healing. Autumn shares her powerful story of navigating chronic pain and years of unanswered questions before being diagnosed with endometriosis, and taking her healing into her own hands. We trace her journey from feeling unheard in medical offices to becoming her own best advocate, healer, and educator. In this episode, we talk: 🩸 What endometriosis actually feels like (and why it’s so often missed) 💔 The emotional toll of misdiagnosis and mistrust in your body 🌿 Why Autumn pivoted into naturopathic medicine 💄 Launching a clean beauty brand grounded in hormone health 🧠 Reconnecting with your body when it’s been the source of so much pain Whether you’ve experienced chronic pain or just want to better understand your body, this episode is a must-listen. You deserve care that believes you, honors your intuition, and supports your whole self. Thanks for Calling in Sick with us this week 💛 xx,Alex 💬 Comment: What symptoms did you ignore that—looking back—were big warning signs? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:02:30 Alex’s Picks of The Week (Clean Beauty... see links below!!) 00:03:40 Welcome, Autumn Weimann (her story: early symptoms to diagnosis) 00:11:10 Why Autumn Became a Naturopathic Doctor, Diagnosis & The Period Prep 00:17:30 Why Boundaries Are SO Important 00:22:00 Challenging the Chronic Illness Identity Takeover 00:25:30 What Is The Period Prep Kit?! 00:32:21 Biggest Misconceptions Around Endometriosis 00:34:11 Alex Spilling the Tea on her Second Endo Surgery 00:37:36 How Endometriosis Impacts Fertility & Dreams of Motherhood 00:48:00 Is Clean Beauty Really Clean?! 00:58:57 Our Biggest Tips for Navigating YOUR Health 01:03:01 One Brain Cell Pick of the week (Love on the Spectrum & Vanderpump Villa) 01:07:31 Wrap Up, Endo Gala, and Thank YOU! 01:10:28 THANK YOU & LOVE YOU GUYS! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨Bangin’ Hair – https://www.banginhair.shop/product-page/banginhair-serum ✨HigherDose Infrared Hat - https://go.shopmy.us/p-14854531 Use code ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #ChronicIllnessCommunity #endometriosis #autumnweimann Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey sweet friends—no full episode this week, just a short 10-minute update from me. Between a rough IVIG reaction, an unexpected ER trip, and a literal attempted home invasion (yes, really), I’m throwing it back to a past episodes: Processing Your Chronic Illness—because wow, I need to listen to this one this week too!! This week on Calling in Sick, I’m diving into something that doesn’t get talked about enough: the identity shift that happens when you're living with a chronic illness — whether you have an official diagnosis or not. There’s a specific kind of grief that comes from realizing you're no longer the person you once were. The person who had endless energy. The person who didn’t have to think twice about plans, goals, or dreams. The person who didn’t wonder, "Do I look sick enough for people to take me seriously?" In this solo episode, I’m opening up about: 💭 How chronic illness impacts your sense of self (even before a diagnosis) ⚡ Why comparison — to others and to your old self — can feel so brutal 🩺 The silent pressure to “look” sick enough for care 🧠 How processing a chronic illness mirrors the stages of grief 📚 Plus: My tips, tricks, and personal mindset shifts that have helped me find myself again If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, "I don’t even recognize my life anymore," — this one’s for you. You are not alone in this identity shift. You are not broken. You are just becoming someone new. Thanks for Calling in Sick with me again — xx, Alex 💛 💬 Comment: What’s been the hardest part of your chronic illness identity shift? What part of your “old” self do you miss — and what new part of you are you starting to love? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:02:01 Alex's Picks of The Week (Mayfair Group Sweat Suits, Intelligent Change 5 Minute Gratitude Journal) 00:04:02 One Brain Cell Segment: Below Deck 00:06:25 Processing your identity with a chronic illness intro 00:12:11 Post-Diagnosis Prioritization 00:19:46 The Challenges of Shifting Identity with Chronic Illness 00:28:31 My Tips for Handling the Identity Shift 00:45:41 My NUMBER ONE Tip for Handling the Identity Shift 00:48:01 Thank You for Listening! Thank you to our sponsors this week: *Lifeboost - Visit www.lifeboostcoffee.com/?ref=ALEXANDRAWILDESON and use code ALEXANDRA10 for 10% off your order for a healthier coffee experience – decaf included – you’ll love. Alex's Picks of the Week: *Mayfair Group - Visit http://go.shopmy.us/p-16514050 and use code Alexandra15 for 15% off *Intelligent Change - Visit https://www.intelligentchange.com/ALEXANDRA10 and use code Alexandra10 for 10% off at checkout Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack — https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod Powered by: https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Calling in Sick, we’re tackling something that makes every chronic illness patient’s life harder—medical bills. The system is confusing, overwhelming, and expensive—and let’s be real, most of us just swipe our card and hope for the best. But what if I told you that hospitals and insurance companies are overcharging you—constantly? That’s why I’m sitting down with Daniel Lynch, co-founder of Medical Billing Gurus, to break down: 💰 The #1 mistake people make when they get a medical bill 🚨 How to fight back against surprise charges & denials 📉 How to negotiate your bill (yes, you CAN lower it!) 🧾 Why the same procedure can cost $500 or $5,000—depending on who’s paying If you’ve ever looked at a medical bill and thought, WTF is this?, this episode is for you. Knowledge is power—and this conversation will help you pick the right insurance plan for you, and potentially save you thousands. Have you ever fought a medical bill and won? Drop your story in the comments or DM me on IG (@callinginsickpod)! As always, sending love!xx,Alex Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:03:05 Alex’s Catch-Up 00:07:25 Alex’s Picks of the Week (VERSED, DIVI) 00:10:00 Introduction to Daniel Lynch, co-founder of Medical Billing Gurus 00:16:20 Picking the right insurance policy for you 00:25:15 The ABCs of your insurance policy (deductible, copay, etc) 00:44:54 The #1 mistake people make when they get a medical bill 00:51:40 Why are there so many errors with medical bills? 00:53:50 How to fight back against surprise charges & denials 00:57:20 The broken healthcare system 01:02:40 Insurance for functional/wholistic medicine 01:10:20 #1 Tip - ASK THE QUESTIONS! 01:13:10 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: UPDATE • ABC: https://flagship.shop/alexandrawildeson/products-v2/231581 • ABC: https://go.shopmy.us/p-12706973 #chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #medicalinsurance #medicalconditions #healthinsurance #medicalbillingservices #medicalbilling #medicalbillingcompany #healthinsuranceexplained Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Calling in Sick, I share my how-to guide on navigating travel with a chronic illness. Travel is supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable break from “real life,” but when you’re dealing with a chronic illness, it can be incredibly overwhelming. From anxiety about how “able” you are, to internalized pressure on having the “perfect” get away, and realizing the impact of brain fog on planning… you are not alone in these worries! Not to forget the mental gymnastics of battling guilt for being stressed! If you want your next trip to go a bit smoother, look no further! Tune in to this week’s episode to hear what you need to pack in your suitcase versus your carry on and my top 5 most important things to travel with. You’ll leave this episode feeling more prepared and less anxious for your next trip. And as always, thanks for joining me for another Monday of Calling in Sick! xx, Alex Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:01:02 Alex’s Health Update 00:04:45 Alex’s Wellness Picks of the Week 00:09:00 Traveling with a Chronic Illness is stressful 00:15:15 How to pack for your trip 00:34:30 How to enjoy your trip 00:40:15 How to manage anxiety while traveling 00:45:45 How to manage if you over do it 00:47:10 Thank you for listening! Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ #chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #flareup #traveling #chronicillness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do I know for sure about chronic illness, you ask?? Literally NONE of it makes sense. As someone who’s been sick for 25 years, you think I would have it all perfectly figured out - what triggers me, what medications work for me, how to talk about my illness with other people - but NOPE, a lot of the time chronic illness still feels a bit like a mystery to me, so how are other people, especially those without chronic illness, supposed to get it?? From flare ups that appear out of nowhere to “doing everything right” and still getting knocked down, this episode dives into the chaos and contradictions of living with chronic illness. What I get into this week: ⚠️ How this past week’s flare up has totally rocked me and what’s next 🤕 My TOP 4 reasons that chronic illnesses just don’t make sense! ⛔️ The different things “flare up” can mean 📝 How I remind myself what healing a chronic disease really means  xx, Alex 💬 Comment: What’s something about your chronic illness that makes zero sense — but you’ve learned to live with anyway? Drop it below! TIMESTAMPS: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:00:44 Life catchup + what we are talking about this week 00:04:10 Alex’s Picks of the week (Conrad compression socks, Cadence travel containers) 4 Reasons Chronic Illnesses make NO sense: 00:07:01 The unpredictability of chronic illness 00:11:44 Why we can’t compare ourselves to other people (even if they have the same disease!!) 00:15:33 Why it feels like nobody fully understands chronic illness  00:16:20 How I define a flare-up 00:19:57 The goal of healing a chronic illness Conclusion: 00:24:51 One Brain Cell Show: Wife Swap: The Real Housewives Edition (Bravo) 00:26:45 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: The items that that are a must have for your go-bag (hospitals, infusions and travel)! ✨Comrad compression socks - https://go.shopmy.us/p-28820619 — use “ALEXWILDESON20” for 20% off at checkout!! ✨Cadence travel containers - https://go.shopmy.us/p-29547777 #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneLife #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #SpoonieCommunity #ChronicPain #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #ChronicIllnessDoesntMakeSense #DisabilityAwareness #LifeWithChronicIllness #ChronicPainRelief #FightingFatigue #SpoonieSupport #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #BrainFog #FlareUp #InvisibleDisability #AutoimmuneDisease #HealthJourney #WellnessMindset #SelfCareRoutine #HealingNotCured #ChronicIllnessAcceptance #RestIsProductive #ChronicWarrior #UnpredictableBody #MindBodyHealth #SpoonieTips #AutoimmuneCommunity  #ChronicIllnessSupport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices