#gratitudeattitude

Revisit DeWayne’s experience as the first patient for MS at the Cleveland Clinic (S6 replay part 1)

October 26, 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?

Check-in with DeWayne to hear more about his experience as the first patient to receive HSCT for Multiple Sclerosis at the Cleveland Clinic. With so many details about his experiences with the myeloablative protocol of the BEAT-MS study, including securing insurance coverage, the staff and his in-patient experiences, as well as logistics and details about the time spent after discharge in a nearby hotel, DeWayne shares so many valuable insights, this interview airs as a two-part episode.

Tune in this week to hear the details about being in-patient at Cleveland Clinic and logistics for after-care in Cleveland, and next week, join us to hear more about DeWayne’s experience with recovery so far.

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.

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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.beat-ms.org

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

Celebrate the start of spring and check-in with Ali at 4+ years post-HSCT (Ep. 77)

March 23, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ali Roberts
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: November 6, 2017
Superpower: Gratitude

How happy are you with what is happening today? Where are you along the journey with acceptance? How do you live your best life?

The beginning of a new season offers the opportunity to check in with Ali at the four-year mark of HSCT recovery. Tune in to learn more about how Ali has navigated psychological and emotional wellbeing and learn how she found a way to accept all the changes that come along with the long process of healing damages incurred by multiple sclerosis including the invisible aspects of orthorexia, finding alternative exercises to promote bone and muscle strength, and exploring supplements that can support our well-being. 

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:

The MS Gym

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

Continue learning from DeWayne’s experience with myeloablative HSCT despite COVID (Ep. 64 part 2)

March 31, 2021 — 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? Do you wait to share your gratitude?

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.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:
www.rooftopprayerwarrior.com

www.hsctwarriors.org

Meet Ovi on her way to Puebla and learn what it means to be strong-strong (Ep. 59)

February 10, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ovi James
AI: Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: February 2021
Superpower: Strength, Bravery, Grit, Courage

When faced with adversity, are you able to advocate for yourself? Are you someone who can find gratitude often? What gifts can you share with the world?

After years of terrible headaches and issues with standing and walking, Ovi ended up losing her job and her home which caused significant relapses that rendered her disabled. As a single mother, Ovi’s goal was to focus on the positive and help her son “see the light at the end of the tunnel” even though she struggled to understand everything that was going on as her family chose not to support her. With the support of various shelters and physical, occupational, and mental health therapies, Ovi was able to focus on healing and learning how to better advocate for herself. She eventually found a rheumatologist who was able to see she was struggling with more than fibromyalgia and scheduled the MRI that led to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Although this interview occurred the weekend that Ovi was preparing to head to Clinica Ruiz in Mexico, it is airing while she is currently undergoing treatment and could use continued support from our HSCT community. Tune in and learn more about Ovi’s journey and how she found strength in being properly diagnosed, and keep such a positive outlook on life and how she turned inward to focus on her gifts in order to actualize the possibilities of pursuing HSCT.

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:
Social media YouTube: @ovijames and Instagram: @itsovijames
Clinica Ruiz: https://hsctmexico.com
HSCT Warriors: https://HSCTWarriors.org

Pause to reflect and find gratitude with our own ‘zen’ Jen and friend, Sara Leah (replay from S1)

January 13, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warriors: ‘Zen’ Jen & Sara Leah
Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: October 18, 2017, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Superpower: Zen

Do you embrace life’s challenges with open arms? One step at a time? As you find your way along your journey, do you pause to reflect in the moment and express gratitude for those who are along with you?

Learn more about the journey of our very own ‘Zen’ Jen, as she shares the mic for a chat with her dear friend Sara Leah and they find commonalities in their unique experiences with MS. With a fun break from the usual interview protocol, enjoy this conversation from the lens of someone curious to know more about HSCT, in celebration of Jen’s one-year HSCT birthday.

Special thanks to musical genius Billy Alletzhauser for sharing his superpowers to host this interview live in the Belfry; especially for his efforts to create the soundtrack, record, edit, and perfect 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 another episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers. Be kind. Be well.

Resources:
haltmyms.com
hsctwarriorspodcast.com
HSCT at Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati
HSCT at Clinica Ruiz, Mexico

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.

Join us in meditation of loving kindness to honor healthcare workers and find a sense of calm

April 8, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: everyone
Superpower: Loving kindness meditation

Have you wanted to express gratitude for all the healthcare professionals who are on the front lines, responding with care for individuals battling life threatening illness? Do you know how to find calm within a state of stress and anxiety?

HSCT Warriors Podcast S4.Ep. 10 (1)

In this special episode, join our host zen Jen and her lifelong friend Jessica in a guided meditation practice to extend gratitude and loving kindness to healthcare professionals and others on the front lines of the covid-19 pandemic.

Founder of the Radically Rooted Yoga and Lifestyle Center, Jessica Lichaa started exploring the integration of body practices through yoga in 1999 and over time has developed an emphasis on cultivating autonomic regulation through the fascia of the body. The practices led by Jessica have helped many individuals to improve the stress and trauma induced holding patterns within the tissues of the body to cultivate healthier ways of dealing with the emotional responses of life and improve overall well being.

In September of 2016 Jessica Lichaa developed a unique yoga teacher curriculum focused on neuroscience, early childhood psychology, body awareness, mindfulness, and self-compassion practices.  She integrated timeless ancient techniques with current research in neuroscience and developed a highly acclaimed yoga teacher training, that not only emphasizes asanas, philosophy and pranayama, but also manual tissue movement to assist the body in accessing the relaxation response, to foster deeper states of homeostasis, and awaken one’s immune system to detox the cellular matrix of free radicals.

The guided meditation featured in this episode can be practiced by anyone at any time to find a sense of calm and connection to self and others, and cultivate gratitude for all the healthcare professionals who are caring for so many who are battling covid-19. May we feel safe and protected… may we be happy… may we be healthy… may we be free from pain and suffering.

Feel free to reach out for more information or to learn more about the practices or music highlighted in this episode. 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 immediately.

Resources:
JessicaLichaa@liveradicallyrooted.com