#empathy

Listen again to Lydia’s insightful journey to HSCT and be inspired by her inner strength (S4 replay)

January 19, 2022 — 2 Comments

Warrior: Lydia Rosenbaum
AI: Crohn’s Disease
HSCT: August 2002 at Northwestern Memorial, Chicago
Superpower: Empathy and belief in self

After spending time in palliative care planning to die, how do you find the right time to celebrate success with surviving? How do you find compassion for people who have never walked in your shoes? How often do you push your limits?

The HSCT Warriors logo introduces a woman glancing down over her left shoulder, holding her right arm upward in protest and her right palm is is reaching out, fingers outstretched. Her palm is covered by a pink square of paper marked with a thin black x and the question, "How often do you push your limits?" is posed above the introduction of the interviewee, Lydia Rosenbaum. She received HSCT in August of 2002 to halt Crohn's Disease in Chicago and declared her superpower as empathy.

Despite suffering extreme complications with Crohn’s disease that kept her in and out of the hospital through multiple surgeries and dangerous fevers, Lydia woke up after surgery one day and was suddenly told “you cannot eat”. Before she even turned 30, on medical disability and living in the hospital more than out, Lydia found herself striving to survive, advocating for consistency and questioning the ethics of efforts to keep her alive.

Having prepared to face death from her aggressive form of Crohn’s, Lydia was very surprised to find herself feeling so isolated after HSCT after she realized she instead could prepare to live. Join us and learn more from Lydia about her experience and the path that led her to the Phase II Clinical Trial as one of the very first patients treated for Crohn’s Disease by Dr. Burt at Northwestern.

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 immediately.

Check-in with Denise about recovery after HSCT to halt stiff person syndrome (S3 replay)

September 1, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Denise Bishop
AI: Stiff Person Syndrome
HSCT: 9/12/17, Chicago
Superpower: empathy

How often do you listen to the voice in your head? How much can you afford to endure? What are your strategies to sort through all that needs attention?

Join us to check in with Denise following her two-year check up post-HSCT in Chicago. Learn more about the unexpected twists and turns along her ongoing rollercoaster, and how Denise faced the fluctuations that led to another autoimmune diagnosis, a traumatic fall, and tragic loss of her grandson. 

Despite all the setbacks she has faced, Denise holds firm to a positive attitude and resilient mindset that is inspiring for any warrior. Tune in, find connection, and share in the sense of community.

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. 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 reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would definitely love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease… if you could take a moment to share your story, 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 immediately.

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

Meet Erin and be inspired to find empathy and connection despite feelings of isolation (Ep. 65)

April 7, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Erin Schoenlein
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: March 15, 2020
Superpower: energy to help other people

How wide is your view? Do you know what it feels like to be well? For how long have you been distanced? 

Having been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in high school, Erin is no stranger to advocacy for well-being and the importance of spinning challenges into positive opportunities. Although she did not qualify for the clinical trials in the United States, Erin researched her options and found herself at Clinica Ruiz just prior to the start of the global pandemic. Erin distracted herself from the chaotic stress of COVID by surrounding herself in a bubble of staying focused on positivity and gratitude expressed by others around her. During this conversation with Erin, hear more about how her experiences in Mexico and her quarantine upon returning home helped motivate her to find inclusive ways to empower others.

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:
Sail MS
Paavitforward.org
HSCTWarriors.org

Revisit Karin’s journey with systemic lupus that led her to pursue HSCT (replay from S1)

December 16, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Karin
Snowflake: Systemic Lupus
HSCT: December 10, 2015, Northwestern Memorial
Superpower: Empathy

Do you tend to put yourself last on your to-do list? Have you ever been at the point in your life when you realize, “This is for the birds!” or feel ready to get on with it [life] already?

Karin’s experience with Systemic Lupus left her bandaged and barely recognizable. Failed medication after another, she realized that her autoimmune disease was “for the birds.” Despite the fear of being away from her busy life for too long, Karin found herself tired of her disease and encourages listeners to “take care of number one first!”

Tune in to learn more about how Karin harnessed positive energy during HSCT and shifted to a new normal of patience, appreciation for the things she used to take for granted, and found the strength to get back to work within just 2 months post-HSCT.

Be sure to visit our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, and access the latest HSCT research and resources. Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to create the soundtrack, edit, and produce the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

Take a moment to leave a review because your feedback will help to develop even better episodes, and your ratings will help other people find the show. Tune in next Wednesday for a brand new 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 by Denise’s courage to take charge of her experience with stiff person syndrome (replay from S1)

December 2, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Denise Bishop
Snowflake: Stiff Person Syndrome
HSCT: 9/12/17, Chicago
Superpower: Increased empathy

Have you ever found yourself distracted by concern for the people in your life that are stressed about your condition? Do you question whether the resources you find when researching your condition are of comparable quality to the resources your doctors can access? Have you learned how to embrace the courage to make your own decisions in healthcare?  

Be inspired to take charge of your health when you meet Denise, a warrior who tapped into her 35 years of service as a trauma-care nurse when diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome. Once she started researching the disease, eventual progression, treatment options (e.g. IVIG, plasmapharesis, valium) and their respective side-effects, she informed her neurologist that HSCT would be the only option forward she found to be acceptable.

Tune in to learn strategies for handling the logistics of HSCT, including the importance of building a strong support team, knowing your limits, and finding a purpose. Denise shares insights that help to promote her mental, emotional, and physical recoveries.

Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to create the soundtrack, edit, and produce the audio to make this podcast possible. You can find us both when you subscribe on SoundCloud, iTunes or wherever you find your podcasts.

Take a moment to leave a review because your feedback will help to develop even better episodes, and your ratings will help other people find the show. Tune in next Wednesday for a brand new 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.