In this episode of That Chronic Thing podcast, Cathy is joined by her friend Jess Gardner.

Jess is Reiki certified, she’s a poodle mama, disability advocate for EDS. Noonan syndrome, ME/CFS, dysautonomia and SFN. In addition, she is the proprietor and herbalist behind Muddy Roots, her business, where she serves up fire cider and plant based skin care for those local in Boston.

We chat about reiki, herbs, and wedding accommodations, and ultimately land in a discussion of chronic illness commonalities and the need for support.

Fave Quotes

➡️ "It’s [fatigue] made me have to reevaluate every single dream… I’ve had for myself. …I’m mostly home recovering from everything, everything.”

➡️"And it makes me cry because everybody, people who don’t understand what’s going on, they make it into this personality defect of something that’s wrong with you.”

➡️ Normal person asks, How are you? "I'm fine." Chronic illness friend asks, How are you? "I just had the worst BM. I feel awful. I can’t get the chills to stop."

Stay in touch with Jess at @jess_gardner_

💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. <3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode of Chronically Yours, a segment of That Chronic Thing podcast, Cathy reads a moving submission from JD Fraser, who lives with severe ME/CFS. JD shares the realities of life with a poorly understood chronic illness—housebound, isolated, and enduring years without meaningful medical treatment.

Alongside her story, JD offers ways we can all help: learn about ME/CFS, show care through small acts of kindness, support research, and keep finding joy in life’s little things.

💙 Watch Unrest on Netflix to learn more about ME/CFS
💙 Support research: Open Medicine Foundation
💙 Submit your own story: DM @indoorcathy or email cathy@indoorcathy.com

💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. <3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"So you're basically tired all the time?" No, it's #notjustfatigue.

In this episode of That Chronic Thing, Cathy chats with Elizabeth Ansell (Founder, Executive Director) of notjustfatigue.org, a site dedicated to the education and advocacy of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS, an extremely debilitating illness.

→ 75% of those affected are unable to attend school or work (note: this includes your host and guest!)

→ 25% are completely homebound or bedbound (note: this also includes your host and guest!)

→ There are no FDA approved treatments, biomarkers, or diagnostic tests.

→ There are over 60 symptoms, it's #notjustfatigue.

→ 45% of the Long COVID community fit the case definition for ME/CFS.

The multimedia website is a wonderful destination for those wanting to learn more about ME/CFS past, present, and future. It is a great resource for those with ME/CFS who are wanting to educate their friends and family when they say, "so you're basically tired all the time?" No, it's #notjustfatigue.

See it all at notjustfatigue Instagram TikTok X

Follow Elizabeth Instagram TikTok X

[Recorded April 1, 2025]

💌 Stay in touch with me at @indoorcathy on Instagram.

Make sure you leave a rating and a review! Thanks a bunch. <3 Follow the show on your fave podcast app to be notified of new episodes.

"Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/