#RRMS

HSCT Warriors Podcast Ep. 09

October 3, 2018 — 4 Comments

Warrior: Anna

Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: February 23, 2017, Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Superpower: Running  

How bright is the light you shine on your present situation? What are you committed to, without any doubts or hesitation, to achieve your “next best life”?

After hearing a “no” from her first attempt at HSCT, Anna remained open to try anything (including experimenting with mesenchymal stem cell therapy) to cure her MS. She found herself on Medicare and full-time disability for two years at the end of her late-thirties, so after failing four disease-modifying therapies (DMT) and facing the side-effects of yet another DMT, Anna chose to jump at the chance to revisit her application at Northwestern Memorial.

Tune in to hear more about Anna’s journey with Multiple Sclerosis and the effort she made to prevent her disease from progressing; the “rollercoaster” peaks and valleys of post-HSCT recovery; strategies to battle the chemotherapy-related fatigue, regain confidence, and embrace energy from physical exercise in simple environments; and pursue the best life possible.  

Be sure to explore our website, HSCTWarriorsPodcast.com where you can find notes from today’s episode, submit ideas or feedback, listen to more episodes, 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.

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”
Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors, #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

Resources:
Jesus Calling: Everyday Devotions by Sarah Young
Anna’s blog: https://endmyMS.com

HSCTWarriorsPodcast Ep_09

HSCT Warriors Podcast Ep. 07

September 12, 2018 — 2 Comments

Warrior: Julie

Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: February 19, 2018, Northwestern Memorial
Superpowers: Empathy and ability to “not sweat the small stuff”

Are you a goal-oriented person who likes to create plans and back-up plans to the plans for every aspect of life? Have your plans been significantly detoured by your experience with autoimmune disease?

As a young warrior with brilliant energy, Julie shines her light on the importance of managing stress in order to negotiate the realities of unpredictability. She very quickly realized the reality that as a progressive disease, MS created daily fear that “the next day could have been the day when I woke up and couldn’t walk again.” Within two short years of diagnosis in 2016, Julie felt completely defeated by MS until she embraced hope as a mantra to navigate life and hasn’t let it go throughout her HSCT journey. Tune in to learn more about Julie’s shifting perspectives and find wisdom that might take others a lifetime to learn.

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.

Resources:

Blindsided, Richard Cohen
Chasing Hope, Richard Cohen
Julie’s blog: MakingSenseofMS.com
FB group: We’re F*%!^’in MS Warriors

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”
Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors, #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

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HSCT Warriors Podcast Ep. 06

September 5, 2018 — 1 Comment

Warrior: Ron

Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: May 6, 2017, Puebla, Mexico
Superpower: Advocacy for HSCT

Have you ever learned something that left you at a loss for words? Found yourself tied to the railroad tracks looking for a way to stop the oncoming train?

Meet Ron, a warrior who invested in the “short term pain for long term gain” of HSCT and found courage to face his fears, doubts, and misconceptions in order to commit to Clinica Ruiz in Puebla, Mexico. As an American citizen residing in Canada, he unexpectedly found an extended family and friends in Mexico.

Ron leaped into his journey without looking back, continues to grow his family by embracing a positive outlook, and focusing on the small things to appreciate in life. Tune in to hear Ron’s tips and tricks, encouragement to pursue objective research, and strategies to support a healthy outlook in recovery.

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.

Resources:

Ron’s blog: ronniesmstrek.mozello.com
Heavy Metal testing: https://www.doctorsdata.com/urine-toxic-metals/

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”
Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors, #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

HSCT Podcast_Ep.06 Media

 

HSCT Warriors Podcast Ep. 04

August 22, 2018 — 2 Comments

Warrior: Dave

Snowflake: RRMS
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 for Dave’s strategies to keep a positive mindset, accept all aspects of any process, “take a beat” and embrace emotions, including the difficult, stressful, and 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

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”
Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors, #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

hsct ep 04 dave

 

HSCT Warriors Podcast Ep. 03

August 15, 2018 — 5 Comments

Warrior: Ellie

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 of 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: http://HSCTforMS.com

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.

Resources noted:

HeartMath: https://www.heartmath.com

Jiyo: https://jiyo.com/home

YogaGlo: http:www.YogaGlo.com

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”
Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors, #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

hsct ep 03 ellie(1)

Learn from Dustin about the shifting realities of autoimmune disease (Ep. 02)

August 8, 2018 — 3 Comments

Warrior: Dustin
Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: 4/19/16, Chicago
Superpower: Zen

Do you find yourself struggling to adapt with shifting realities of autoimmune disease? Are you looking to find peace in your life? Or get inspired by transformational journeys?

hsct ep 02 dustin

Meet Dustin, a warrior diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who received HSCT at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, four years after his initial diagnosis. His abilities were rapidly declining, he relied on a cane to walk, and was eager to find a “cure for MS.”

His resolve helped him let go of the need to be in control and stop trying to plan for future uncertain

ties. He was able to allow Dr. Burt to “take the reigns,” and completely trusted the nurses and staff throughout the HSCT process. Hopefully Dustin finds continued healing and someday soon he will be able to accomplish all that he feels ready for.

Tune in to hear Dustin’s journey with HSCT, his secrets to staying positive and strategies to cope during the two-week-plus long hospital stay where “you’re never alone, but you’re always lonely.”

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.

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”
Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors, #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

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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 immediately.

Uncovering faith with Ali Strong (Ep. 01)

August 1, 2018 — 7 Comments

Warrior: Ali
Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: 11/6/17, Chicago
Superpower: Motivation

Have you ever found yourself on a road you’ve never been down before? Found strength to navigate a pathway that is far from straightforward? Uncovered faith where you never believed it could exist?

hsct ep 01 ali

Meet Ali, a warrior diagnosed with multiple sclerosis who “just doesn’t settle well for [being told] ‘there’s nothing left we can do’.” Before she received HSCT at Northwestern Memorial University, her biggest challenges with MS created extreme stomach issues that restricted her diet and for 11 years, she “couldn’t eat a single meal without getting sick.”

Through extensive research, Ali fought her fears of chemotherapy, connected with some beautiful souls, and found tremendous strength to power through an extraordinarily challenging HSCT experience. Her journey helped her shift from a life “which was just surviving” to embrace positivity, “what inspires and lights me on fire” without fear, and her unique law of attraction.

Tune in to hear Ali’s transformation as her story offers “hope to people struggling with autoimmune disease… to know that there’s an option out there… that [is] getting safer and safer all the time.” Ali offers brave inspiration in sharing a piece of the “bunnies and tiaras” warriors’ story, honoring her soul-sisters and the legacy of HSCT advocacy.

We all take the chance with HSCT because we believe that it is our only hope for a life free from progressive disease. This podcast is dedicated to all the warriors whose journey with HSCT ended too soon. We honor their advocacy, their legacies, and their spirits.

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.

Hosted by: Dr. Jen Stansbury Koenig aka “Zen Jen”

Tags: #HSCT, #HSCTwarriors #autoimmunedisease, #RRMS, #HSCTsnowflakes, #HSCTsuperpowers

Resources:
Kris Carr, Meditations

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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 immediately.