#advocate

Continue learning from DeWayne’s experience with myeloablative HSCT (S6 replay part 2)

November 2, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: DeWayne Durr
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: Oct 29, 2020
Superpower: Confidence

How supported do you feel? To what extent do you think about each step that lies ahead? 

Continuing from where we left off in this two part episode, tune in to learn from DeWayne as he shares more about his experience navigating his return to work, changes with his diet, and considerations for health and wellness while in the early stages of recovery from the myeloablative protocol at Cleveland Clinic.  

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources:
www.rooftopprayerwarrior.com
www.hsctwarriors.org

Continue learning from Carolyn’s insider perspective with HSCT at Cleveland Clinic (Ep. 82 part 2)

May 11, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Carolyn Deming
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: scheduled May 11
Superpower: blatant honesty

Do you ponder problems or possibilities? What is your approach to finding the right mindset? How do you advocate for what you know you need?

Picking up where we left off last week, tune in to hear details about Cleveland Clinic’s transplant care team, facilities and gain ideas for strategies to advocate for the support you need from doctors, especially throughout the HSCT experience.

Tune in to learn more about how “the power of options” has been incredibly supportive for Carolyn, some of the latest MRI technologies at Cleveland Clinic, their reverence for stem cells, and Carolyn’s insider’s perspective. Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources:

Carolyn’s blog: Mychroniclibrary.com
Cuddle clone
Matt Haig books

Be inspired by Carolyn’s insider perspectives as she pursues HSCT at the Cleveland Clinic (Ep. 82 part 1)

May 4, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Carolyn Deming
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: scheduled May 4
Superpower: blatant honesty

Do you ponder problems or possibilities? What is your approach to finding the right mindset? How do you advocate for what you know you need?

After experiencing significant eye pain but no other symptoms, Carolyn was “utterly stunned” to be diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on her 32nd birthday. Her first significant relapse occurred just five months after. Having started a disease-modifying therapy that gave her flu-like symptoms, it wasn’t long before she carved her own path forward through several DMTs and emotions tied to the entire experience of chronic illness that led her to pursue HSCT.

Tune in to learn more about how “the power of options” has been incredibly supportive for Carolyn, some of the latest MRI technologies at Cleveland Clinic, their reverence for stem cells, and Carolyn’s insider’s perspective. Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources:

Carolyn’s blog: Mychroniclibrary.com
Cuddle clone
Matt Haig books

Continue learning the power of mindset along Zarko’s journey with HSCT in Moscow (Ep. 74 part 2)

November 10, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Zarko Bilal
AI: Relapsing Remitting MS
HSCT: April, 2021
Superpower: positive thinking

When did you start to figure out the important things in life? How do you overcome fear of the unknown? How do you keep your mentality in tact?

The continuation of this two-part episode reveals even more detail about Zarko’s experience with HSCT at the AA Maximov Hospital in Moscow, including how he managed the stress of delays due to covid, how he kept himself busy during isolation, the mindset he embraced, and insights gained during his journey. We are grateful to spend two episodes with Zarko learning about how he trained his mindset in preparation for HSCT and gained new perspectives to carry forward in life post-transplant.  

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Be inspired in revisiting Bethany’s journey and find confidence despite judgment (S2 replay)

June 30, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Bethany Pappalardo
Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 03/08/05
Superpower: heightened awareness

When you need a different course of action, how long will you bide your time? How confident are you among judgement, shock and awe? Will you be ready once you hit rock bottom?

Having so many family members plagued with autoimmune disease, Bethany had just run out of options to treat her MS when her mom happened to watch an interview with Dr. Burt. With a ‘must do’ attitude, Bethany confronted HSCT and the public eye with brave resolve. Proclaiming it to be “literally the best thing that ever happened in my life,” you’ll likely be inspired to shed any fears about HSCT when you hear more of Bethany’s journey.

Tune in to this replay from Season two and hear more about the reciprocity of community, how Bethany continues to promote HSCT and coach others on their own journeys, as well as insights on why HSCT isn’t an option offered by more doctors.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.


Resources:
Other HSCT veterans
Facebook groups

Revisit Eileen’s uncertainty rollercoasters, and their shift through self-care (S2 replay)

June 23, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Eileen Hushion
Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 01/05/17
Superpower: Knowing you have the rest of your life to look forward to

How much fear do you have when facing uncertainty? How do you adjust when riding a roller coaster? What does normal even feel like? 

Despite years of debilitating fatigue and cycling through nine different disease modifying therapies, Eileen had a suspicion that someday, stem cells would help alleviate her pain. After researching the possibility of stem cells on her own, she found immediate support from her neurologist to pursue HSCT at Northwestern in Chicago.

Tune in to hear more about her experience of living with MS for twenty years, changes experienced post-HSCT, and learn more about the recovery roller coaster that has been life changing for Eileen.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources noted:
Yogaglo
Myofascial release

Join Leta in her practice to dwell on the positive in life (S2 replay)

June 9, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Leta Krieger
Snowflake: Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 07-08/18
Superpower: Support from husband and friends

How affiliated are you with your autoimmune disease? How connected are you with your community?

After living with MS for nearly 40 years, when Leta first heard of HSCT while watching the BBC on vacation, she researched it and considered the chance that HSCT could possibly halt her progression. Rather than take a chance on letting her disease run her life, she decided to pursue the quickest course to treatment possible. 

Tune in to learn more about the fabulous care, comfort, and personalized service, and absolve any concerns in hearing more details of the “well-oiled machine” that is HSCT at Clinica Ruiz. Be inspired to treat your diagnosis as an interloper and “dwell on the positive”.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources: 
LetaKrieger.blog
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla
MS Gym
Any List app

Revisit all the ways Marlo strengthened her preparedness for HSCT (S2 replay)

June 2, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Marlo Kalb
Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis and Lyme Disease
HSCT: anticipated by June, 2019
Superpower: body-knowing

How does one come to terms with the brutality of multiple sclerosis? How many disease modifying drugs have caused you significant complications? Do you know what it feels like to live a life without a chronic disease?

After seeing too many doctors that wouldn’t listen, receiving a diagnosis at 13 years young, and spending eleven years trying nearly every disease modifying treatment available, Marlo developed inflammation everywhere in her body that led to countless additional potential diagnoses. Having very few memories of her childhood or of positive experiences with doctors, Marlo has persevered with an admirable, courageous, and brilliant sense of hope for the future.

Tune in to hear more about Marlo’s journey with multiple sclerosis and how she is preparing her mind and body to become the first MS patient treated with HSCT according to the BEAM protocol (currently under special executive review) at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources noted: 
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla
Aa Maximov Hospital, Moscow Russia

Meet Cassidy along her journey of over-achieving before and after HSCT* (Ep. 67)

April 21, 2021 — Leave a comment

*This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners, including mentions of suicidal ideation. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and take care of yourself*

Warrior: Cassidy V. Chapman
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: July 15, 2019
Superpower: Passion for bringing awareness to HSCT

To what extent are you an over-achiever? How open are you to receiving support from others? Where do you find family?

After being diagnosed with MS her first year of law school, Cassidy was initially able to manage her disease with a variety of disease-modifying therapies. Though building a successful career as an attorney came with compounding stress that caused significant relapses which left Cassidy fighting optic neuritis and blindness, it was the fatigue and cognitive impairments that ultimately led her doctor to recommend she stop working. After waiting 33 months to be approved for social security disability, Cassidy found creative ways to stay afloat while managing her relapses and steroid psychosis. Thanks to the guidance of an eleven-year HSCT veteran, once Cassidy decided it was time to pursue HSCT, she surrounded herself with caregivers.

With frank conversation about Cassidy’s experience seeking disability about the side effects of multiple sclerosis and its’ medical treatments, including steroid psychosis that led to homicidal and suicidal ideation (skip 40:00-42:30 and 1:02:00-1:05:05 if you want to avoid these parts of the conversation), this episode offers helpful insights about MS symptoms to look out for both pre- and post-HSCT. Tune in to learn more about Cassidy’s scare at 14 months post-HSCT and how her experience with HSCT has shifted her perspective and her priorities.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Learn how Rachel managed CIDP before myeloablative HSCT at the CBCI in Denver (Ep. 66)

April 14, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Rachel Gallery
AI: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
HSCT: Oct 19, 2020
Superpower: Empathy

Do you consider yourself a lucky person? How often do you receive treatment for autoimmune disease? How layered is your circle of support?

After spending nearly a year with strange symptom progression, a neurologist was finally able to diagnose Rachel when IVIG helped to offset some of her most problematic symptoms. After five years of managing her disease with IVIG infusions every two weeks, she found herself facing rapid decline, trying a variety of aggressive treatments including cytoxan and rituxan that failed to help. 

Tune in to learn more about the clinical trial at the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute (CBCI) in Denver, and the confidence to get through the myeloablative protocol despite significant complications (namely, graft v. host disease) amid the COVID pandemic. With so many helpful tips for mindset to accept support through the tough times, illuminate invisibilities, and adjust to life with chronic illness, this conversation with Rachel offers practical strategies to make it through some really tough moments along the HSCT path.

 Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, or connect with HSCT Warriors, Inc. and schedule time to “Talk with a Warrior”, find the latest research and resources, or explore the world map. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to produce the soundtrack, and engineer the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide, so please reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease so if you could take a moment, leave us a comment on instagram or share feedback on our website. We hope you’ll tune in next Wednesday for another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers.  Be kind.  Be well.

_________________________________

Jen Stansbury Koenig and the producers disclaim medical influence and responsibility for any possible adverse effects from the use of information contained herein. If you think you have a medical problem, please contact a licensed physician.

Resources:
Colorado Blood Cancer Institute 
HSCT Warriors Podcast