#ms

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.

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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:
Sail MS
Paavitforward.org
HSCTWarriors.org

Learn from DeWayne’s experience as the first HSCT patient for MS at Cleveland Clinic (Ep. 64 part 1)

March 24, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: DeWayne Durr

AI: Multiple Sclerosis

HSCT: Oct 29, 2020

Superpower: Confidence

How often in life have you been first? How do you find confidence along your path?

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 clinical trial, 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 will air 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.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.

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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 Vic’s resolve, despite the naysayers and positive COVID tests (Ep. 63)

March 17, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Vic Bonilla
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: Oct 2020
Superpower: unbreakable resolve

Have you ever felt like an observer of your own life? Have you stared down the barrel of mortality? Is the patience you have with others, the same, greater, or less than the patience you have with yourself? 

Within a few months of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Vic was connected with someone who was transplanted in Russia ten years ago and immediately began researching HSCT. Once he made his way to Clinica Ruiz for his treatment, he and his brother tested positive for COVID and opted to quarantine in Mexico before returning to Clinica Ruiz for HSCT. By this time, Vic’s brother needed to return to the US, and thankfully Vic was able to hire a caregiver.

Tune in to learn more about Vic’s experience with his caregiver in Puebla, his journey with the MS symptoms that caught him by surprise, his extensive research into HSCT, how things are faring nearly six-months post-HSCT, and the unexpected outcomes he continues to enjoy.

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.

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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.

Enjoy Joceline’s reflections and find compassion for just wanting to feel normal (Ep. 62 part 1)

March 3, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Joceline
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: soon in 2021?
Superpowers: doing nothing

How do you establish trust in the systems? How many doctors have you fired? How do you find patience when you find yourself on the brink?

After initially being brushed off by doctors, once diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Joceline found she wasn’t interested in pursuing medication for what she felt doctors knew very little about at the time. As she chose to pursue a natural course of treatment with Chi Gong, diet, and acupuncture, Joceline offers powerful reflections with the wisdom of hindsight in finding compassion for her younger self, who just wanted to feel ‘normal’ despite her diagnosis. 

Tune in this week to learn how after eight years of managing the diagnosis with alternative narratives and symptom etiologies, Joceline finally experienced her diagnosis-moment after finding a neurologist who appeared genuinely concerned for her well-being. Sharing details about the ups and downs of relapses, rejecting medications, and navigating modifications to walking, working, and support by the NHS medical professionals, this two-part episode offers a wealth of information and insights along the road to HSCT. As a nurse’s assistant by training, Joceline shares one of the most detailed interviews about her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and pursuit of HSCT, including sharing her strategies for fundraising and finding patience as she awaits the border to reopen.

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:
Bates Natural Vision Improvement Exercises
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Ahna Crum
Roger McDougal
MS Tripping on Air
NHS Expert Patients

Revisit Kevin’s inspiring journey to overcome nearly every HSCT complication (replay from S1)

January 20, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Kevin
Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: February 23, 2017, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Superpower: Novena to St. Jude

When facing the unknown, are you curious about possibilities or do you fear uncertainties? What part of your journey has become too familiar? How can we support each other to mobilize for different outcomes?

If you’ve ever been curious to know more about potential complications or side effects associated with HSCT, meet Kevin, who faced nearly any possible challenge you could possibly face (e.g. failed mobilization, infection in the blood) with HSCT, including travel across the globe to Singapore. Despite facing such significant challenges, tune in to learn more about Kevin’s journey to halt his MS and his continued dedication to recover his physical abilities, and promote 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 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 a brand new episode, highlighting another HSCT Warrior. Until then, be a snowflake and embrace your superpowers. Be kind. Be well.

Resources:
Ohio Facebook group: facebook.com/groups/OhioHSCTgroup/
Zen Jen’s blog: Haltmyms.com
WCPO Cincinnati ABC affiliate: wcpo.com

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.

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.

Revisit Dave’s reflective journey through HSCT and gain valuable strategies

November 25, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Dave Carey
AI: Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 9/11/17, Chicago
Superpower: Perspective

When you pause to reflect about what has changed during a year, what do you see or feel? If you take time to recognize your own personal successes, have you ever hesitated to share what you find with others? 

Meet Dave, a warrior who tried nearly every treatment available to treat his multiple sclerosis before finally receiving HSCT November 11, 2017 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dave used a cane and experienced regular active relapses before transplant so he was ready for a life-changing event. As he worked to get things in order and prepare for the worst, he ended up surprised when Dr. Burt said to him, “I can help you” without caveat. 

Dave approached HSCT with a commitment to “not fight anything” except his eagerness to get back to normal once he returned home. Listen to Dave’s strategies for keeping a positive mindset, accept all aspects of the process, “take a beat” and embrace the emotions including the difficult, stressful, or uncomfortable ones. Dave’s story will inspire you to “like yourself more,” embrace family and friends, develop an affinity for unexpected relationships, and experience life with a newfound perspective.

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.

Resource: 
Bradberry, T., & Greaves, J. (2009). Emotional Intelligence 2.0. TalentSmart. ISBN-10: 0974320625

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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.

Revisit Ellie’s journey with HSCT and get comfortable to “let go of expectations”

November 18, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ellie Baum
Snowflake: RRMS 
HSCT: 6/16/16, Chicago
Superpower: Tuning into the body

Do you know the importance of truly understanding your body? Can you get comfortable with letting go expectations?

Meet Ellie, a warrior diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who received HSCT at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in June, 2016. Ellie initially found HSCT in 2003 but didn’t find herself ready for the procedure until 2015 after a relapse forced her to stop working. 

Determined to “stay the course” and not rush into anything, hear more about the benefits of tuning into and getting to know your body throughout the recovery rollercoaster. Ellie shares some of the strategies she uses to tune in and focus on breathing, healing, and well-being. 

Tune in to hear more about Ellie’s journey to embrace uncertainty, learn strategies to support the nervous and autonomic systems, and better get to know your body, nutrition, balance and well-being. Continue following Ellie and her abundance of gratitude on her blog, shared in the list of resources below.

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 immediately.

Resources noted: 
Ellie’s blog: http://HSCTforMS.com
HeartMath: https://www.heartmath.com
Jiyo: https://jiyo.com/home
YogaGlo: http:www.YogaGlo.com

Catch-up with Marlo, an HSCT hopeful who persevered despite a super twisted path to HSCT

September 16, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Marlo Kalb
AI: Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 9.30.19
Superpower: confidence to fight back

When you encounter setbacks, how do you find your way forward? What are the skills required to persist and persevere? How will you face the many curves that lie ahead?

Diagnosed at just 13 years old, Marlo found herself eager for HSCT after doing research and listening to this podcast. First interviewed as a HSCT Hopeful during Season 2, Marlo shared her journey in anticipation to become the first person transplanted at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. After facing administrative issues, delays, and opinions not favoring her candidacy for HSCT, tune in to learn more about how Marlo faced the multiple twists and turns that eventually led her to Clinica Ruiz.

Join us in celebrating Marlo’s one-year stem-cell birthday and how HSCT has impacted her after spending 13 years living with MS.

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:
Clinica Ruiz
HSCT Warriors, Inc.

Support HSCT hopeful DeWayne, as he becomes the first autoimmune transplant in Cleveland (Ep. 52)

September 9, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: DeWayne Durr
AI: Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: scheduled for September, 2020
Superpower: prayer and understanding

How comfortable are you with difficult or impossible situations? How direct are you about the care you receive from your doctors? When faced with the chance of being randomly assigned to receive HSCT, would you feel conflicted?

After DeWayne researched the disease modifying therapies available to him, he chose to clean up his diet and forgo drugs, as he had also researched HSCT and barely missed the chance to be treated by Dr. Burt in Chicago before he closed the clinical trial. Tune in to hear more about how DeWayne advocated for consideration to be considered for the BEAT-MS trial at the Cleveland Clinic and the winding path to get there despite other doctors’ opinions, the details of participating in the clinical trial, and COVID. 

Tune in and learn more about how DeWayne managed to secure insurance coverage and approval to be the first patient to be treated at Cleveland Clinic off-trial for multiple sclerosis. 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:
Wahl’s Protocol
Rooftop Prayer Warriors