Good observations. I can't say how much I've tried to find a simple explanation. The more I go in on it, the more confused I get. All we have, except for the brief work of 2? scientists, are speculations. It's all fascinating for sure, but it make my head hurt! I've changed opinions about it, I just don't know any more. All I know is what I can feel while eliminating so I believe they're parasitic. Maybe a immune response going havoc due to all poison the stomach is being exposed to? A defense mechanism as a work of god, now punishes us for going a wrong way. Maybe it's parasitic Genetically-Modified-Organisms which adapt itself to our broken bodies and make it as one with us.
If you check Wikipedia for 'Mucus' aka 1st stage Rope infestation, it say some interesting things.
Deesmiles was determined and perceptional of herself, I think that's the key for dealing with something like this.