#selfawareness

Catch-up with Amy and celebrate her learning journey at nearly one-year post HSCT (Ep. 94)

October 5, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Amy Capel
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: October 2021
Superpower: mentality

To what extent are you distracted? Have you ever been on the outside looking in?

We first met Amy in Season 7 when she described her struggle to understand the disease and the storm of negative side effects from the first medication she tried. Thanks to a friend who had success with HSCT, Amy was convinced and committed to making the best decisions for herself and her family which meant advocating for herself to pursue HSCT. We last spoke with Amy the day before she met with a new neurologist at Duke University, just days before she was scheduled to travel to Clinica Ruiz in Puebla.

Tune in to hear more details about Amy’s experience with the clinic, the culture, the physical and the mental components of her journey to HSCT. 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 Rebecca at four years post-transplant and learn from her gracious outlook (Ep. 90)

September 7, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Rebecca Katonica
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: November 2018
Superpower: Grace

Do you try to explain away that which might be serious? When was the last time you took a leap of faith?

After an explosive headache behind her eyes, Rebecca found herself at the eye doctor who ordered an MRI that evidenced lesions and diagnosed her with multiple sclerosis. Insistent that she could still participate in a social event while wearing an eye patch, she began steroids that helped reset her double vision and vertigo. At this time, there was only one disease-modifying therapy to try, which gave her flu-like symptoms. Over her twenty-year experience with MS before HSCT, Rebecca tried all but one medication and ended up losing countless bodily functions until the point she was basically bedridden. 

Tune in to learn more about how Rebecca, despite having trouble sitting up in the car, successfully navigated the journey to Clinica Ruiz to undergo HSCT. 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.

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.

Learn more from Jan-Marie along her recovery rollercoaster and find hope (Ep. 78)

March 30, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Jan-Marie
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: June 16, 2020
Superpower: Hope

What do you think is happening? How do you advocate for yourself when seeking answers?

Nearly immediately after HSCT, Jan-Marie experienced significant improvements with her balance and walking and knew in her heart that HSCT worked to halt progression. So, when Jan-Marie began experiencing new challenges, pain, and neurological issues at just 5 months post-HSCT, she became very determined to find answers. Although her doctors insisted that the multiple sclerosis had returned, Jan-Marie had a feeling that what she was experiencing was in fact very different from multiple sclerosis. Tune in to learn more about the variety of options that Jan-Marie pursued, from a top-off of chemo to spending a month in the hospital for nearly every test imaginable, including two MRIs that showed no MS-related activity.

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:

Hydrafil Feasibility Study by RegelTec

Talk to a Warrior at HSCTWarriors.org

Reconnect with Chelsey and be inspired to move, live and prosper (S5 replay)

February 23, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Chelsey Bell
Autoimmune: RRMS
HSCT: 7/11/18
Superpower: Self awareness

How often do you find time to reflect on what works for your body? Have you been able to truly appreciate time with yourself? How does it feel to connect with someone else over commonalities?

Sharing insights to her solo experience getting to Moscow, Chelsey offers so much inspiration for the importance of mindset, taking time to figure out what works, and finding lessons from her younger self, and accepting challenges without holding on to frustration. With updates on her fundraising experience and securing an Alinker to promote her recovery, Chelsey shares an abundance of wisdom and resources.

Tune in to hear more about Chelsey’s journey to Moscow for HSCT and how she is faring after two 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 of HSCT locations. 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:
Eye mask
Alinker
Nonprofit: Move, Live, Prosper
________________________________

Revisit the power of affirmation on Kim’s journey to HSCT for scleroderma at Duke (S4 replay)

February 2, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Kim Rodning
AI: Scleroderma
HSCT: September 4, 2018 at Duke University Medical Center
Superpower: perseverance, patience, and perspective

Do you practice daily affirmations of positivity? Does your self talk promote healing or judgment? How does hearing the stories of other Warriors help you?

Having encountered the possibility of HSCT by chance, Kim explored more about the research and program for Scleroderma patients at Duke University. Thankfully, she found HSCT just before her lungs hardened to the point where she wouldn’t have qualified.

Tune in and learn more about her experience and symptoms of scleroderma, the aid she received to fight for insurance coverage, and the team of caring angels at Duke that helped motivate Kim to fight back.

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.

Resources:
Facebook @KimberlyRodning

Revisit the journey of Chris and relate to challenges of CIDP diagnosis by exclusion (S2 replay)

May 12, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Chris Masters
Snowflake: CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy)
HSCT: August 14, 2018
Superpower: ability to walk again

Have you ever lingered on the brink of life? Or wondered why diagnosis by exclusion takes so long? How much energy would you have to spin your wheels?

Meet Chris, a physical therapist familiar with physical movement, injury, and the understanding that when numbness, tingling, and pain consumed his abilities to move, he needed to fast-track some answers. Despite the shuffle from doctor to doctor without diagnosis, once his body completely shut down while driving to work, Chris and his wife knew they had to find their own answers and fully adorn the role of advocacy.

Tune in to learn more about the back-and-forth Chris experienced along his path to HSCT, the concern for others struggling to find the right diagnosis, the importance of self-advocacy, and the spirit of hope in sharing awareness.

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 noted:
GBS/CIDP Foundation: https://www.gbs-cidp.org/

Replay this loving kindness meditation to honor healthcare workers and find a sense of calm (replay from S4)

January 27, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warriors: everyone
Superpower: Loving kindness meditation

As we near the launch of our sixth season, revisit this special episode with our hostess zen Jen and her lifelong friend Jessica of Radically Rooted Yoga and Lifestyle Center 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 Radically Rooted, 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 pranayam, 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 to Jessica anytime for more information or to learn more about the self care fascial work that is discussed in the episode.

Resources:
Radically Rooted Yoga and Lifestyle Center
JessicaLichaa@liveradicallyrooted.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 immediately.

Revisit the importance of positive self-talk with Kim (replay from S4)

October 21, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Kim Rodning
AI: Scleroderma
HSCT: September 4, 2018 at Duke University Medical Center
Superpower: perseverance, patience, and perspective

Do you practice daily affirmations of positivity? Does your self talk promote healing or judgment? How does hearing the stories of other Warriors help you?

Having encountered the possibility of HSCT by chance, Kim explored more about the research and program for Scleroderma patients at Duke University. Thankfully, she found HSCT just before her lungs hardened to the point where she wouldn’t have qualified.

Tune in and learn more about her experience and symptoms of scleroderma, the aid she received to fight for insurance coverage, and the team of caring angels at Duke that helped motivate Kim to fight back.  

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: 
Facebook @KimberlyRodning

Managing setbacks post-HSCT; a chat with Brooke Slick (Ep. 55)

September 30, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Brooke Slick
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: May, 2013
Superpower: Surrender

Are you able to surrender to all that seems out of your control? How easy is it for you to allow things to just happen?

Revisit Brooke’s journey to HSCT and learn more about the setbacks she has faced post-HSCT, (including surgeries for trigeminal neuralgia) but also the influence of mindset, and the inspirations she has found with persevering in her battle with MS beyond HSCT. 

Tune in to check-in with our dear friend, Brooke and hear more about how she continues to support others along their journey to HSCT and celebrate the gifts of community and service to 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:
BrookeSlick.com
The MS Gym Podcast
The MS Gym
HSCT Moscow
HSCT Warriors, Inc.