#hsctwarrior

Reconnect with Allison to celebrate superpowers at eight-years post-HSCT (Ep. 92)

September 21, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Allison Carr

AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: December, 2014
Superpowers: hope and grit 

Are you motivated to give back to others? To what extent do you recognize superpowers in others? How challenging is it for you to be optimistic?

As someone who spent nearly twenty years battling the unknown, Allison was surprised to be approached by a stranger curious about her drop foot, and even more surprised when she was finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. After battling with insurance to pursue HSCT outside a clinical trial in hopes to avoid the transition to secondary-progressive, and dedicating time to healing her physical body post-transplant, Allison continues to find gratitude and spread hope to others along her journey. 

Reconnect with Allison (who we first met in Season 3) to learn from her personal, physical and spiritual reflections, and how she is faring at nearly eight-years 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.

Resources:

Medical Medium: Cleanse to Heal by Anthony William

Be inspired by Cecilia’s resilience at four years post-transplant (Ep. 89)

August 31, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Cecilia Reyes
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: July, 2018
Superpower: Resilience

To what extent has your view softened? To what extent are you learning as you move through life? Do you find blessings and opportunities in the challenges you face?

Check-in with Cecilia at four years post-transplant and learn from the many insights shared and be inspired to find a compassionate journey with yourself. From mindset and positive self-talk to diet and exercise, this conversation shines a light on the importance of patience, trusting the process, finding connection with yourself and community, and practicing resilience. 

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.

Meet Stacy and learn from reflections as she celebrates her third stem cell birthday (Ep. 83)

May 18, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Stacy McNall
AI: Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: May 14, 2019
Superpower: being still

Are you someone who trusts the process? How do you handle the need to slow down? Are you able to find calm among the storm?

As a very active person who “lived in overdrive” as a nurse practitioner and marathoner, Stacy tended to set aside the symptoms she experienced for nearly 18 years before she was diagnosed. During her 14th marathon, Stacy tried her best to get moving but her legs would not cooperate and she finally went to see a doctor. After trying several disease-modifying therapies that did not seem to help, Stacy looked further into HSCT while she was hospitalized with a relapse and was successful enrolling in the clinical trial at Northwestern just before it ended.

From relapses to support from reiki masters, to issues with insurance, to reactions during the stem cell transplant including a blood clot, psychosis, and extreme nausea, Stacy seems to have experienced everything along the HSCT rollercoaster. 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 a 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:
Reiki
Myofascial release
Vibration plate

Continue along Joceline’s journey to HSCT in Moscow and learn how recovery is going (Ep. 80 part 2)

April 20, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Joceline
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: March 29, 2021
Superpower: tenacity

How often do you reflect on all that is happening? Do you ever consider yourself from the inside-out? How do you find patience?

Last week we reconnected with Joceline, who we first met in Season 6 while she anxiously awaited hearing about when she might be able to schedule HSCT in Moscow, as she was not eligible in her home in the UK. A bit over one year ago, she was finally able to secure a visa and travel through Turkey before arriving at the AA Maximov hospital in Moscow. In last week’s episode, we learned about her experiences getting to, and during her stay in the hospital. Tune in this week to pick up where we left off last week and learn how Joceline fared during her return home, including how “out of this world difficult” the first three months home were, and how recovery has been going since she got home.

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 to 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:

Joceline’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5WIASLGre2XkMgQV2LhOBA/videos

Check-in with Joceline and celebrate her journey to HSCT in Moscow last year (Ep. 80 part 1)

April 13, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Joceline
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: March 29, 2021
Superpower: tenacity

How often do you reflect on all that is happening? Do you ever consider yourself from the inside-out? How do you find patience? 

When we first met Joceline in Season 6, she shared concerns over the COVID variant in the UK that had delayed her acquiring a schedule to begin HSCT at the AA Maximov hospital in Moscow. Nearly one year since we last spoke, Joceline celebrated her one-year stem cell birthday and joined us to share details about how she finally made it to Moscow, through pre-testing, and underwent the transplant while connecting with other patients to pass the time before isolation. Tune in to hear how she embraced the chemo, despite unexpected side effects from the chemo, including dizziness and immediate onset of menopause. Learn more about how isolation did not go as planned for Joceline, and how she established gentle boundaries to support herself through the unexpected depression that ensued during isolation.

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.

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

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.

Listen again to how Craig tapped the power of patience through his journey with HSCT (S4 replay)

January 5, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Craig Witkowski
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: September 2019 in Puebla
Superpower: Patience

Do you find it tough to maintain patience with yourself or doctors? How easily do you find a positive mental outlook? How tightly do you hold hope?

The HSCT Warriors podcast logo frames the top of the image that depicts a strong man waiting at the bottom of a tall staircase, pondering his next steps. The caption identifies the interviewee, Warrior Craig Witkowski, battling the autoimmune disease of multiple sclerosis, who received HSCT in September 2019 in Puebla, and named his superpower as patience.

After being on a first-line drug to hold off initial onset of his MS symptoms, Craig found benefit for a few years until he stopped the medication due to unwelcome side effects, which then caused issues for a couple of years. After changing careers, he spent time without any sign of the disease and then suddenly Craig was blind-sided by an experience while driving that left him nearly paralyzed. Without much of an explanation other than progression of his MS, he started on another disease-modifying-treatment that didn’t touch his disease progression and caused too many side-effects.

Craig researched more about stem cell treatments because his doctors could only offer vague uncertainties and although he found Dr. Burt’s clinical trial at Northwestern, after spending a year fighting insurance to pursue HSCT, Craig learned his disease had progressed, leaving him ineligible for the study criteria. Not willing to give up hope, Craig traveled to Texas for a presentation about Clinica Ruiz and was sold on the possibility that HSCT offered him.

Tune in and learn more about Craig’s unique challenges, fundraising efforts, power of patience, tremendous support of family and friends, and will to find his way to HSCT at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico.

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 week 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 from HSCT hopeful Javor and all he gains through consistency and positive mindset (Ep. 73)

October 27, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Javor Milanov
AI: Relapsing Remitting MS
HSCT: Scheduled in March 2022

Superpower: Consistency

How well do you attune with culture? Is your mindset one of growth, or is it fixed? How do you navigate your internal compass?

After his diagnosis, Javor felt tired and run-down facing his experience as a new immigrant working three or four jobs at a time. He experienced terrible side effects after steroids and trying an initial disease modifying therapy, so returned home to Bulgaria for a long respite. Rest, reduced stress, and time with family and friends  helped reduce his symptoms and after six months, he returned to Canada and began noticing his disease becoming more active. 

Refusing to accept an incurable disease as his destiny, Javor made radical changes to his diet and lifestyle to become as healthy as possible. Tune in to learn more about Javor’s experience with the Wahl diet, mesenchymal stem cells in Panama, how he leaned on the discipline of swimming to keep his motivation and disposition positive, and his ability to anticipate (rather than react) to what is on the horizon, including his plans to pursue HSCT in Russia.  

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.

Learn with Amy as she prepares for HSCT and be inspired to move beyond judgment (Ep. 70)

October 6, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Amy Capel
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: scheduled for October 2021
Superpower: Thinking

What is your response to the judgment of others? To what extent do you control your mindset? Are you committed to eliminating negativity?

When Amy was first diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she not only struggled to understand the disease, she ended up struggling with a storm of negative side effects from the first medication she tried. Having a friend who went through HSCT five years ago, tune in to learn more about why Amy is just now pursuing HSCT, how she is navigating the opinions of her doctors, and how she is committing to making the best decisions for herself and her family. 

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.