We interview the Rev. Mark Galloway about his experience living with Parkinson's and POTS, how Christians should respond to suffering, how to best care for loved ones, and spiritual advice for handling chronic illness.

Disclaimer: This episode does not constitute medical advice as we are not medical experts.

Check out the bonus version of this episode on YouTube!

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// CHAPTERS //

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Stiff Man Syndrome

06:30 – Mark’s first encounter with Parkinson’s and POTS

13:00 – First diagnosis

15:20 – Living with POTS, stealing salt packets

17:00 – Deciding to retire

19:35 – What “normal” looks like

22:00 – Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

23:00 – Adjusting to a new phase of life

27:00 – Muscle spasms

28:30 – Chronic illness as spiritual battle

32:00 – We are disconnected from death

33:00 – Using AI to replace deceased family

35:50 – Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living, Holy Dying

37:00 – Going to cognitive therapy

39:10 – The importance of trusted medical professionals

42:50 – Getting proper medical care

45:50 – Undergoing spinal procedures

48:40 – Daily pain management

53:40 – Suffering as vocation

56:00 – Preaching the Truth in season and out of season

58:00 – Stations of life as vocations

59:30 – Nursing homes

01:00:45 – Impact on family

01:03:40 – Managing the expectations of others

01:06:00 – Getting out of bed in the morning

01:09:19 – The blessing of Godly family

01:10:20 – Showing charity to others

01:11:50 – The danger of comparing your suffering to others

01:14:45 – Going bald and gray

01:16:10 – Mark’s experience at the barber

01:18:00 – Emotional vs. physical suffering

01:19:00 – Future austerity measures

01:20:10 – How to talk to the Church about suffering

01:22:10 – The tendency to embrace nihilism

01:24:10 – Conflating suffering with not getting our way

01:25:25 – How to best care for others with chronic illness

01:30:55 – Suffering is a part of being a Christian

01:32:47 – The centrality of the Sacraments

01:35:10 – The need for Confession

01:37:22 – No situation is ever hopeless

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