open.substack.com/pub/amyblack...

Failure? Or Freedom.

Seven letters apiece

open.substack.com

I continue to be disappointed and bamboozled that chronic health issues remain chronic.

Dear @wired.com, Are you still standing by this poor example of ethical journalism? Millions of us are suffering thanks to the spread of shoddy information like this. Millions are dead. We're simply asking for an ethics investigation. b5886a97-1363-4549-a1d5-52252438e251.usrfiles.com/ugd/b5886a_2...

WIRED@wired.com · 3w ago

A statement from WIRED leadership.

ICYMI: An under-the-radar moment in Blanche’s confirmation hearing could have seismic ramifications for abortion access In response to a Q from Ted Cruz, Blanche signaled his openness to enforcing a 19th-c law that could ban abortion nationwide Abortion providers tell me they’re bracing for impact

Blanche testimony has providers bracing for federal abortion crackdown

After Blanche committed to “the faithful enforcement” of a 19th century anti-abortion law, providers are preparing to shift their models of care.

ms.now

Now in my 7th year of Long COVID, one painful truth I know is 0 painful truths were revealed in WIRED's “The Painful Truth About Long COVID." Instead, this hit piece said we're hysterical; crying wolf to anyone who'll listen (a decidedly small crowd, IMHO). For this and so many reasons, I co-signed:

#MEAction Network [Unofficial]@meaction.net.web.brid.gy · 3w ago

She left long before I understood she was gone. Like the frog on slow boil. First the heat in her throat. Next aching sweats. At last a deep and foggy sleep. Long COVID took the only me I’ve known. Replaced by an eery copy... amyblackstonephd.substack.com/p/rip-me

RIP Me

(I Walked Away)

amyblackstonephd.substack.com

New episode! We ponder the joys of the nausea and vertigo that have accompanied Amy's Long COVID for the past 6+ years and share strategies for coping with the symptoms and grappling with the reality of everyday living when one's body is in constant revolt. shows.acast.com/nevertheless...

Walking the Plank | Nevertheless, Persisting: Life. Love. Long COVID.

shows.acast.com

Six years in the hellscape that is our medical industrial complex have taught me that healthcare systems default toward treatment & silence. I don't want that when it comes to my death. I've pre-ordered Dr. @klutfey.bsky.social's book, YOUR GOOD DEATH, and recommend it to all!

Your Good Death: Why End-of-Life Healthcare Is So Difficult and How to Make it Work for You

Why End-of-Life Healthcare Is So Difficult and How to Make it Work for You

bookshop.org

You know that feeling when you're talking with someone & you realize, "They see me."? It’s increasingly rare for me as the diagnoses pile up. Illness is isolating. When humans reveal their humanity, we turn away. Not so for the folks at Portraits of Humanity. substack.com/home/post/p-...

A Portrait of Humanity

or, The Magic of Being Seen

substack.com

S2, E8: BOSTON KAREN Did you know it’s possible to exit a 2-night hospital stay mostly unscathed? Neither did we! Not until Boston Karen came along, that is. Amy reflects on a rare positive care experience & we wonder at the difference a single provider can make. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Boston Karen

Podcast Episode · Nevertheless, Persisting: Life. Love. Long COVID. · April 8 · 37m

podcasts.apple.com

S2, E7: PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS Amy fesses up to her imaginary relationships & we consider whether she is totally nuts or simply engaged in parasocial relationships (or both?). We consider benefits of these relationships for people w/chronic illnesses, potential drawbacks, & look at the science.

Parasocial Relationships

Podcast Episode · Nevertheless, Persisting: Life. Love. Long COVID. · March 18 · 47m

podcasts.apple.com

Many thanks to Allaire Conte for including me in this piece for realtor.com on what's going on with non-parents today and how and WHY they put their resources where they do. Tons of great insights from @drjaychildfree.bsky.social in here too! www.realtor.com/news/trends/...

We're thrilled to release the #LongCovid Treatment Guide! This is a collaboration with @rthm.bsky.social to help patients & providers explore treatment options together. The guide focuses on 24 medications, but includes a few other interventions for breadth /1

Long COVID Treatment Guide

An evidence-supported guide covering treatments addressing multiple Long COVID symptoms & mechanisms — focused on prescription medication, with a limited set of supplements, OTC medications, procedure...

rthm.com

For #LongCovid Awareness Day, we’re releasing the 2026 Long Covid Fact Sheet! This is a list of key statistics about LC, using recent data to reflect contemporary risks. We hope this will be useful for journalists, policymakers, patients, & others! /1

It’s NEVERTHELESS, PERSISTING’s first guest post! "Why I Can’t Talk To You, Mom (It’s the Hypocrisy, Dummy)" By Lance Blackstone amyblackstonephd.substack.com/p/why-i-cant...

"Why I Can’t Talk To You, Mom" by Lance Blackstone

(It’s the Hypocrisy, Dummy)

amyblackstonephd.substack.com

In 2023, I took "Creative Writing Through Chronic Illness" at @loftliterarycenter.bsky.social w/ @jayverasummer.bsky.social. Jay isn't responsible for the poor quality of this piece but I do want to thank her for helping me realize that while my writing may have changed, it and *I* are still here.

Walking the Plank

I’m a drunk without the drink

open.substack.com

New episode! TO MINNEAPOLIS, WITH LOVE We reflect on our years in Minneapolis & the ways social trust has been key to building the strong community ties that took ICE by storm. CITED IN EPISODE: @kerryhowley.bsky.social @amjpublichealth.bsky.social shows.acast.com/nevertheless...

To Minneapolis, With Love | Nevertheless, Persisting: Life. Love. Long COVID.

shows.acast.com