Join us in meditation of loving kindness to honor healthcare workers and find a sense of calm

April 8, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: everyone
Superpower: Loving kindness meditation

Have you wanted to express gratitude for all the healthcare professionals who are on the front lines, responding with care for individuals battling life threatening illness? Do you know how to find calm within a state of stress and anxiety?

In this special episode, join our host zen Jen and her lifelong friend Jessica 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 the Radically Rooted Yoga and Lifestyle Center, 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 pranayama, 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 for more information or to learn more about the practices or music highlighted in this episode. 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 immediately.

Resources:
JessicaLichaa@liveradicallyrooted.com

Join John in finding possibility, similarities, and appreciation with multiple sclerosis (Ep. 45)

April 1, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: John Taylor
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: September 2019 at Northwestern
Superpower: Appreciation

Have you ever tried to describe the sensation of severe pain, despite knowing that you’re also physically numb? When side effects and risk outweigh the good, how do you make a choice? How do you feel when selected for the chance of a lifetime, knowing others have to miss that chance?

After years of living with symptoms considered insignificant, John finally received a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2010 from his third opinion doctor. While the first disease modifying therapy seemed to work for nearly a decade, just as John began to fear a future with little hope about his new normal, his wife stumbled upon HSCT in time for him to be treated in Dr. Burt’s last cohort before sabbatical.

Tune in and learn more about John’s experience with loss of balance, shooting pains, burning sensations, optic neuritis, and other symptoms that he experienced with 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.

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Resources:
Patient care manuals for post-HSCT
Research articles

Meet Kim and the sunny disposition that keeps her fighting back against scleroderma (Ep. 44)

March 25, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Kim Rodning
AI: Scleroderma
HSCT: September 4, 2018 at Duke University Medical Center
Superpowers: 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.

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Resources:
Facebook @KimberlyRodning

Learn about the compassionate care that carried Jess through myeloablative HSCT in Sydney

March 18, 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?

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.

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Learn from Meghan how not to poke the bear of scleroderma and more about HSCT at Duke (Ep. 39)

February 19, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Meghan Newell Davis
AI: Scleroderma
HSCT: 1/22/19 at Duke University
Superpower: Unbreakable

Have you ever watched a doctor google your symptoms to find help? How often do you take the little things in life for granted? As you move through life, do you take caution not to ‘poke the bear’?

Celebrating a son just one year younger than her new immune system, Meghan offers our listeners a glimpse into life with a very aggressive form of scleroderma and her experience with HSCT at Duke University. The highly competitive-Ironman-Nutritionist suddenly found her body to be suddenly sore, stiffening and stonelike. As she continued struggling to hide invisible symptoms that were physically shutting down her body, she spent weeks visiting doctors, researching her symptoms, and experimenting with various alternative remedies to find some relief.

Tune in and hear more about the freight train that wrecked Meghan’s capacity to function in everyday life despite not looking sick. Once she was connected with a rheumatologist, Meghan finally had diagnoses of multiple autoimmune diseases and was fast-tracked to HSCT at Duke University. Through HSCT Meghan gained lifelong warrior friends and family, including her doctors, nurses and care team and shares so many valuable insights!

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Resources:
Meghan’s race to HSCT
Meghan_fit4life on Instagram
Dr. Twining, Myrtle Beach
Dr. Baker Frost, Medical University of South Carolina

Find confidence with Jess and learn about HSCT in Calgary (Ep. 38)

February 12, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Jess Faulds
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: July 2019 in Calgary, CA
Superpower: Sensation and mental strength

How do you react when people stare at you? At what age did you feel confident about managing your options with autoimmune disease? Where do you find faith in humanity?

Being diagnosed with MS at 15 years young certainly wasn’t a walk in the park for Jess, but it motivated her to keep active and persistent with staying informed about her options. As someone raised to value movement and nutrition, Jess was sure to incorporate these cornerstones throughout her experience with HSCT.

Tune in and learn more about her routines that promoted a quick rebound from HSCT and the holistic approach to HSCT care and treatment at the clinics in Canada in Calgary and Ottawa.

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Resources:
Wrap Me Cool wraps
Jess Faulds on Instagram: allthrightbites
MS Society of Canada

Season Four Update with Ali Strong (Ep. 37)

February 5, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ali Roberts
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 11/6/17
Superpower: Gratitude

Do you believe in the power of self-talk? That the words you say to yourself become the narrative that you fulfill? Where do you find yourself bringing attention?

Another season brings another conversation with Ali Strong about her experiences post-HSCT with diet and nutrition, exercise, stress, shingles, mindset, wellness, and personal challenges to continue promoting wellness, healing and longevity. Tune in and learn how Ali navigated wellness through the flu and shingles at two years post HSCT, then take away some valuable insights about life that she shares from her coaching perspective.

Revisit Tammy’s courageous story of resilience through HSCT

January 29, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Tammy Richert
AI: Primary Progressive MS
HSCT: 2013, AA Maximov Hospital, Moscow Russia
Superpower: Incredible hulk-type shifts between calm intention and strength to power through

How intentional are you about making memories? Which side of the coin are you on? Who are the people in life that you can count on to run with you?

HSCT Warriors Podcast Ep. 48

After she spent years managing another autoimmune issue, Tammy found HSCT in her research to learn more when she was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. After being denied elsewhere for HSCT due to the PPMS diagnosis, she found that Russia offered a path to HSCT that Tammy chose to run.

Finding a new sense of community among fellow HSCT Warriors has been an uncomparable support for Tammy as she realized that even after a successful transplant, she relapsed after three years post-HSCT and is considered a non-responder. Tune in and be inspired by the brave vulnerability that Tammy shares in her perspective ‘on the flip side of the coin.’

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. 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.

We would definitely love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease… if you could take a moment to share your story, 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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Resources:
The MS Gym Podcast
BrookeSlick.com

Revisit Allison’s courageous journey to HSCT and her efforts to spread hope and awareness

January 22, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Allison Carr
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: 2014/15, Northwestern Memorial, Chicago IL
Superpower: Survival

To what extent do your doctors have your best interest in mind? Does the medical community you depend on even have accurate information about HSCT?

After suffering symptoms without a diagnosis for twenty years, Allison felt completely ignored by her medical community. As a busy mom in a busy career with a busy life, Allison didn’t find much time for her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, let alone the frightening side effects of pharmaceuticals. Despite the opinions of multiple doctors, when family friends connected her to the possibility of HSCT in a clinical trial, she did her research and pursued HSCT without hesitation.

Tune in to hear the lessons learned as Allison survived a see-saw insurance battle, challenges to her marriage, and what happened when Allison realized that the little she knew about HSCT was more than what her doctors knew or willing to learn. In listening to Allison’s journey, we hope you’ll be inspired to become your own self-advocate and join her in efforts to spread hope and awareness.

It has been great to connect with Warriors worldwide so reach out if you’re interested in sharing your story. We would definitely love to learn how the podcast has helped your journey with autoimmune disease… if you could take a moment to share your story, 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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Revisit Keri’s remarkable journey and be inspired to persist in self-advocacy

January 15, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Keri Huff
AI: Tumefactive multiple sclerosis
HSCT: July/August, 2010
Superpower: Self-advocacy

When you try to advocate for your health and doctors turn you away, how do you persist? Have you ever reflected on how much time you have? Where do you find beauty each day?

At just 28 years old, Keri started experiencing odd symptoms that countless doctors ignored and dismissed. As she persisted through debilitating pain and extreme fevers, an MRI finally evidenced several masses on her brain. After persisting through additional testing and a ten hour brain surgery, she learned she was pregnant but did not walk away with a diagnosis.

When her masses eventually returned, she continued fighting for answers and connected with Dr. Burt at Northwestern. Sharing her remarkable journey battling multiple autoimmune diseases, be inspired to learn how Keri fought for ten years struggling to find answers and relief from her pain as a one in 20,000,000 statistic, only to face death with the possibility of HSCT.

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HSCT Warriors Podcast

Illuminating invisibilities of autoimmune disease

#snowflakes

Join us in meditation of loving kindness to honor healthcare workers and find a sense of calm

Join John in finding possibility, similarities, and appreciation with multiple sclerosis (Ep. 45)

Meet Kim and the sunny disposition that keeps her fighting back against scleroderma (Ep. 44)

Learn about the compassionate care that carried Jess through myeloablative HSCT in Sydney

Learn from Meghan how not to poke the bear of scleroderma and more about HSCT at Duke (Ep. 39)

Find confidence with Jess and learn about HSCT in Calgary (Ep. 38)

Season Four Update with Ali Strong (Ep. 37)

Revisit Tammy’s courageous story of resilience through HSCT

Revisit Allison’s courageous journey to HSCT and her efforts to spread hope and awareness

Revisit Keri’s remarkable journey and be inspired to persist in self-advocacy

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