The Fine, But Not Fine Podcast

Chronic Illness: Missing the Little Things - Episode 14

In this episode, I discuss the impact of chronic illness on daily life, focusing on the emotional significance of small pleasures. I share my experience with Mycosis Fungoides, a rare skin lymphoma, and how it affected my ability to enjoy something as simple as a hot bath.
After more than a year of painful patches and (finally!) eight weeks of treatment with Pegasys Interferon, my condition improved, allowing me to take a hot bath again. This simple act brought me unexpected joy and highlighted the importance of recognizing and celebrating small victories in managing chronic illness.

Surviving the Mulligrubs: When You're Just...Meh - Ep. 13

I’m talking about something I call the “mulligrubs” — that weird, heavy feeling when you’re not exactly miserable, but definitely not great either. You know, when everything just feels off. I dive into some of the reasons we can land in a mulligrub state, like brain chemistry, crummy weather, chronic illness, and plain old mental overload. I also share a few strategies that help me shake it off (or at least soften it), like knocking out tiny tasks, getting my body moving, changing my environment, or just leaning into comfort. Most importantly, I remind you — and myself — that it’s okay to feel this way sometimes. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. Sometimes the best thing you can do is name it, honor it, and give yourself a little grace. I’d love to hear your favorite ways to deal with the mulligrubs, too — let’s keep this conversation going.

Fighter, Survivor, Warrior: Rethinking Illness Language - Ep. 12

In this episode of Fine, But Not Fine, I’m digging into the words we use to describe people living with chronic or incurable illnesses — terms like “warrior,” “fighter,” and “survivor.” While I know these words are meant to inspire and uplift, they often don’t reflect what daily life with a chronic illness actually feels like. Most days aren’t epic battles — they’re routines filled with managing symptoms, navigating healthcare, and just getting through. I share why I prefer words like “navigating,” “managing,” and “coping,” and why it’s so important for each of us to define our own experience, without feeling boxed in by someone else’s idea of strength. If you’ve ever felt weird about being called a “fighter” when you were just trying to make it through a Tuesday, you’re not alone.

The Hidden Cost of Chronic Illness - Ep. 11

Living with a rare disease isn’t just a medical battle — it’s a financial one too. In this episode, I open up about the hidden costs of managing Mycosis Fungoides, a rare form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. I share how, even with insurance, I pay more than $3,500 a year out-of-pocket for prescriptions and specialist visits — not counting additional expenses like dental care, vision needs, and over-the-counter medications.
I also cover the challenges of budgeting with a flexible spending account (FSA), the stress of surprise medical bills, and the critical role of pharmaceutical financial assistance programs. I shed light on the often invisible financial and emotional toll chronic illness takes, offering real talk on why planning ahead matters — and why no one should have to navigate it alone. If you or someone you love is juggling rare disease costs, this candid conversation is for you.

Advice I'd Give My Newly Diagnosed Self - Eps. 10

Today’s episode is a letter to the version of me who had just been diagnosed. She was scared, overwhelmed, Googling way too much, and had no idea what the next year—let alone the rest of her life— was going to be like. Whether you’re newly diagnosed yourself or supporting someone who is, I hope this gives you some grounding and comfort. Because if I could go back, this is what I’d say. 

Managing Medications - It's Like a Second Job, Eps. 9

I had no idea how complex medication management was until I had a chronic and rare disease. In this episode, I talk about medication management: keeping track of doses, dealing with pharmacies, ensuring you have the right supplies, and the craziness of the side effects lists.

Coping With "You Should Try This" Advice - Eps. 8

Ever wondered how to deal with misguided advice and intrusive questions from well-meaning people when dealing with a serious or chronic illness? In this episode, I outline strategies for rejecting bad advice and setting boundaries while maintaining kindness.

Prior Authorization: The Health Insurer Bureaucracy Blocking Your Care - Eps. 7

In this episode, I talk about Prior Authorization, what it is, how it works, how insurers use it, and why it is a major hurdle to medical care for rare and chronic disease. I also share my personal experience with prior authorization denials, including how I had to escalate one to the North Carolina Insurance Commissioner.

My Experience with Narrowband UVB (NBUVB) Light Therapy - Eps. 6

In this episode of Fine, But Not Fine, I’m sharing my journey with Narrowband UVB light therapy—how I started, how I adapted, and how I made it work for me.
At first, this treatment meant driving to my doctor’s office three times a week, juggling appointment scheduling, and reshaping my daily routine around it. But after a year, I transitioned to a home light unit—a total game-changer that gave me flexibility, saved me hours of commuting, and allowed me to take control of my treatment.

Rare Disease and Body Image - Eps. 5

In this episode of Fine, But Not Fine, I’m diving into the complicated relationship between body image and chronic illness, sharing my experience living with Mycosis Fungoides, a rare form of Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma. I talk about the emotional toll of having a visible condition, the moment I decided to stop hiding my skin, and the ongoing struggle between acceptance and self-love. I also share how exercise has helped both my health and mindset, the importance of finding supportive spaces, and why we need to have more open conversations about cancer and chronic illness.