Chronic Illness In Review
This week’s discussion pulls a single thread — what does it actually take to function when your diagnoses keep stacking? Mack Devlin, a former journalist now medically retired, joins Nick, Beth, Soso, and Stephanie with one of the most compounding stacks the show has hosted: Becker’s muscular dystrophy, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 LADA diabetes, hypertension, depression, AFib, and chimerism — the rare condition where Mack absorbed his twin in utero and inherited a second set of genes. The conversation traces how someone twice told he should already be dead arrives at 46 with a non-profit in the works, a podcast, and a working impression of Kermit the Frog. It is the show’s thesis distilled: compounding conditions don’t add up to a sentence — they add up to a life that demands creative engineering.
Today’s Meditation
Disclaimer: Chronically Illing Out is a podcast and weekly roundtable discussion that provides a safe space for real chronic illness and mental health conversations—by people with lived experience. We are not trained professionals—and we do not claim to be—rather, we discuss our stories and current events to build community and solidarity. Know that you are not alone—and if you are in crisis, call/text 988.
Thank you imi, Nieta Greene, Robin Elizabeth Simpson Scott, Niki~Niki ©️®️™️🖤🇨🇱, Heather Wynne-Phillips, and many others for tuning into my live video with Stephanie G Wilson, PhD, Beth Cruz, and Soso's World! Join me for my next live video in the app.
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Nick’s Notes
I’m Nick Paro, and I’m sick of the shit going on. So, I’m using poetry, podcasting, and lives to discuss the intersections of chronic illness and mental wellbeing, masculinity, veteran’s issues, politics, and so much more. I am only able to have these conversations, bring visibility to my communities, and fill the void through your support — this is a publication where engagement is encouraged, creativity is a cornerstone, and transparency is key — please consider becoming a paid subscriber today and grow the community!
