#snowflakes

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.

Be inspired in revisiting Bethany’s journey and find confidence despite judgment (S2 replay)

June 30, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Bethany Pappalardo
Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 03/08/05
Superpower: heightened awareness

When you need a different course of action, how long will you bide your time? How confident are you among judgement, shock and awe? Will you be ready once you hit rock bottom?

Having so many family members plagued with autoimmune disease, Bethany had just run out of options to treat her MS when her mom happened to watch an interview with Dr. Burt. With a ‘must do’ attitude, Bethany confronted HSCT and the public eye with brave resolve. Proclaiming it to be “literally the best thing that ever happened in my life,” you’ll likely be inspired to shed any fears about HSCT when you hear more of Bethany’s journey.

Tune in to this replay from Season two and hear more about the reciprocity of community, how Bethany continues to promote HSCT and coach others on their own journeys, as well as insights on why HSCT isn’t an option offered by more doctors.

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 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:
Other HSCT veterans
Facebook groups

Revisit Eileen’s uncertainty rollercoasters, and their shift through self-care (S2 replay)

June 23, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Eileen Hushion
Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 01/05/17
Superpower: Knowing you have the rest of your life to look forward to

How much fear do you have when facing uncertainty? How do you adjust when riding a roller coaster? What does normal even feel like? 

Despite years of debilitating fatigue and cycling through nine different disease modifying therapies, Eileen had a suspicion that someday, stem cells would help alleviate her pain. After researching the possibility of stem cells on her own, she found immediate support from her neurologist to pursue HSCT at Northwestern in Chicago.

Tune in to hear more about her experience of living with MS for twenty years, changes experienced post-HSCT, and learn more about the recovery roller coaster that has been life changing for Eileen.

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 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 noted:
Yogaglo
Myofascial release

Join Leta in her practice to dwell on the positive in life (S2 replay)

June 9, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Leta Krieger
Snowflake: Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 07-08/18
Superpower: Support from husband and friends

How affiliated are you with your autoimmune disease? How connected are you with your community?

After living with MS for nearly 40 years, when Leta first heard of HSCT while watching the BBC on vacation, she researched it and considered the chance that HSCT could possibly halt her progression. Rather than take a chance on letting her disease run her life, she decided to pursue the quickest course to treatment possible. 

Tune in to learn more about the fabulous care, comfort, and personalized service, and absolve any concerns in hearing more details of the “well-oiled machine” that is HSCT at Clinica Ruiz. Be inspired to treat your diagnosis as an interloper and “dwell on the positive”.

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: 
LetaKrieger.blog
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla
MS Gym
Any List app

Revisit all the ways Marlo strengthened her preparedness for HSCT (S2 replay)

June 2, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Marlo Kalb
Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis and Lyme Disease
HSCT: anticipated by June, 2019
Superpower: body-knowing

How does one come to terms with the brutality of multiple sclerosis? How many disease modifying drugs have caused you significant complications? Do you know what it feels like to live a life without a chronic disease?

After seeing too many doctors that wouldn’t listen, receiving a diagnosis at 13 years young, and spending eleven years trying nearly every disease modifying treatment available, Marlo developed inflammation everywhere in her body that led to countless additional potential diagnoses. Having very few memories of her childhood or of positive experiences with doctors, Marlo has persevered with an admirable, courageous, and brilliant sense of hope for the future.

Tune in to hear more about Marlo’s journey with multiple sclerosis and how she is preparing her mind and body to become the first MS patient treated with HSCT according to the BEAM protocol (currently under special executive review) at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts.

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 noted: 
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla
Aa Maximov Hospital, Moscow Russia

Revisit Bonnie’s affirmation of mental health considerations before and after HSCT (S2 replay)

May 26, 2021 — Leave a comment

Snowflake: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 7.10.18
Superpower: divine positivity

How thick is the fog on your brain? How clearly are you able to think and plan? When gearing up for a significant procedure, how well do you prepare for recovery? 

After years of experiencing symptoms without answers until finally receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2016, Bonnie experienced heart complications with her first line of treatment that were exacerbated after abruptly stopping her medication. After finding HSCT as an option, she knew she would need to move quickly in hopes to halt her relap

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 noted: 
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla
Aa Maximov Hospital, Moscow Russia
Essential oils
Healthy diet

Revisit powerful insights from Jay’s experience caregiving for his wife (S2 replay)

May 19, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Jay Blankenfeld
Snowflake: MS Caregiver
HSCT: March 18, 2018
Superpower: “Knowledge we could not do it alone”

How do you shift focus from self to other when faced with taking on the role of caregiver? When you ask your neurologist about HSCT as an option for treatment, what is their reaction? Do you have what it takes to construct space for success?

Meet Jay, a proactive planner who made a conscious decision to move past his own emotions to focus on helping his wife navigate her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and research a best course of action. After learning more about multiple sclerosis, the course of progression, side effects of DMTs, and the scary uncertainties that come with multiple sclerosis, he pushed his wife to understand more about HSCT.

Tune in to hear more about how quickly they moved to pursue HSCT, their experience with Clinica Ruiz in Mexico, strategies for caregiving from abroad, and how Jay was able to create space for his wife and their three children to make their way along the journey of 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:
HSCT.blog
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla, Mexico
Aa Maximov Hospital, Moscow Russia
“So they say” manuscript

Revisit all the hopeful curiosities of Katie’s Hope Journey pre-HSCT (replay from S2)

April 28, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Katie Hominsky
Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: Chicago, March 2019
Superpower: walk with God

Where do you find confidence to move forward? How do you take the reins and find the right mindset? Who do you consider to be family? 

Join us along Katie’s Hope Journey and learn from this interview with our first HSCT Hopeful. After spending 9 years battling multiple sclerosis, Katie found the mindset and the communal support to tackle HSCT head on. Despite her roller coaster of seeking insurance approval, the denial that led to fundraising and efforts of advocacy, Katie is now scheduled for pretesting and if all goes well, to undergo HSCT in March, 2019. 

Tune in and learn strategies for fundraising, answers to lingering questions, and how connecting with other HSCT veterans helped Katie build genuine excitement for 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 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.

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:
Personal blog: Katie’s Hope Journey to end her MS
End my MS blog: by Anna Wise

Learn more about HSCT amid the global COVID pandemic from Jan-Marie and the power of patience (Ep. 48)

August 12, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Jan-Marie
AI: RRMS
HSCT: 6/20
Superpower: Patience 

Do you take doctors’ opinions as gospel? How comfortable are you asking questions and conducting research? Who helps you through tough times?

Jan-Marie

Not only does Jan-Marie set a shining example to approach life with optimism and positivity, she offers insight into what it’s like to research scientific evidence to inform opinion, foster support both emotionally and financially, and gain confidence to pursue HSCT during the COVID pandemic. As a nurse by trade, Jan-Marie used her training in evidence-based medicine to be informed about her options with disease modifying therapies that ultimately did not work. After finding herself frustrated and hopeless with the progression of her multiple sclerosis, Jan-Marie was introduced to HSCT by a girlfriend and within hours completed the application, and in days secured a schedule.

Tune in to hear more about Jan-Marie’s journey to HSCT, changes to the typical experience in Monterrey at Clinica Ruiz for COVID, and how Jan-Marie is faring the first few weeks post-transplant.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:
Calm app

HSCT Warriors Podcast · Learn more about HSCT amid the global COVID pandemic from Jan-Marie and the power of patience

 

Revisit our chat with Jess about her myeloablative experience in Sydney

July 29, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Jess Green
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: February 2019 at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney
Superpower: Love and compassion from others

When your doctors run out of options, are you ready to suggest a course of action? Despite the scary struggle or the bad times, can you find the goodness? How strong is your support system?

Replay Jess

With a relatively quick diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis after her first sign of an issue, Jess researched treatment options and found her doctors at a loss for how to combat her relapses after she failed three different disease modifying drugs in just two years. She encouraged her doctors to send her records to the team running the HSCT Clinical Trial at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney and suddenly found herself accepted to proceed with HSCT.

Tune in and learn more about the importance of connections, compassionate caregivers, and the struggle that Jess experienced when she experienced an allergic reaction during the BEAM protocol with Dr. John Moore and Dr. Barbara Withers at Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Sydney Australia.

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.

HSCT Warriors Podcast · Revisit our chat with Jess about her myeloablative experience in Sydney