#stemcells

Revisit DeWayne’s experience as the first patient for MS at the Cleveland Clinic (S6 replay part 1)

October 26, 2022 — Leave a comment

Warrior: DeWayne Durr
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: Oct 29, 2020
Superpower: Confidence

How supported do you feel? To what extent do you think about each step that lies ahead?

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 study, 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 airs 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.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.

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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

Continue learning the power of mindset along Zarko’s journey with HSCT in Moscow (Ep. 74 part 2)

November 10, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Zarko Bilal
AI: Relapsing Remitting MS
HSCT: April, 2021
Superpower: positive thinking

When did you start to figure out the important things in life? How do you overcome fear of the unknown? How do you keep your mentality in tact?

The continuation of this two-part episode reveals even more detail about Zarko’s experience with HSCT at the AA Maximov Hospital in Moscow, including how he managed the stress of delays due to covid, how he kept himself busy during isolation, the mindset he embraced, and insights gained during his journey. We are grateful to spend two episodes with Zarko learning about how he trained his mindset in preparation for HSCT and gained new perspectives to carry forward in life 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. 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.

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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 our check-in along Katie’s Hope journey and find renewed confidence (S3 replay)

August 18, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Katie Hominsky
Autoimmune: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: Northwestern Memorial, Chicago
Superpower: Confidence

Who has your back when things get tough? When facing struggles in life, where do you seek support? How do you find hope and understanding?

Tune in for this post-HSCT update from Katie, our first Hopeful interviewed about her Hope Journey to HSCT and hear more about her recovery rollercoaster. She offers updates on her fundraising initiatives and support strategies, and shares more about her ongoing Hope Journey. 

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. 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 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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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 Tracey’s positive outlook and perspective on HSCT (S3 replay)

August 11, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Tracey Rossi
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: August 2018
Superpower: motivation

Are you looking to fit all the HSCT pieces together? What is your outlook on life? How often do you choose to turn a frown upside down? 

As a former surfer, Tracey became an expert in finding balance and going with the flow. Having lived with the MS monster since 2009, Tracey was shocked when Dr. Burt was surprised enough by her symptoms to expedite her enrollment in the MOST clinical trial. Tune in and hear the latest updates from Chicago when Tracey was seen for her one-year follow-up in August.

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.

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 appreciate all your support, and if you’re looking to contribute in other ways – including volunteering or monetarily – we’d love to hear from you. 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.

Revisit Alison’s insights for caregivers traveling abroad for HSCT (replay from S2)

May 5, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Alison Coates
Snowflake: AIMS Charity
HSCT: Caregiver
Superpower: Dedication

Have you considered the possibilities of traveling abroad to pursue HSCT to halt your autoimmune disease? Are you striving to overcome obstacles like funding or researching HSCT? 

Meet Alison, a caregiver for her warrior husband who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2010 and experienced significant declines in a short time. Once they determined HSCT would be the best avenue for treatment, they struggled to be accepted to their local clinic in the United Kingdom. After fundraising to pursue HSCT at Clinica Ruiz in Puebla Mexico, they were finally accepted for treatment in the UK and allocated the dollars already raised to begin AIMS; the world’s first charity to support individuals in their pursuit of HSCT.    

Tune in to learn more about how Alison came to co-found AIMS, the world’s first registered charity to support UK residents with Autoimmune Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, with an emphasis on 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 noted: 

AIMS Charity AIMS Symptom Checker
Clinica Ruiz, Puebla, Mexico
Aa Maximov Hospital, Moscow Russia


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.

Be inspired by Chloe to increase awareness, and stay active and sane despite COVID (Ep. 61)

February 24, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Chloe Zallen
AI: Relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
HSCT: Oct/Nov 2020
Superpowers: self-love

Are you able to recognize your limitations? Are you aware of your stressors? Where do you find courage to be confident in your decisions?

As a traveling cardiac specialist with experience at several hospitals, Chloe found herself in an extremely stressful environment with a lot of fear incited by the uncertainties of her MS. When she suddenly had numbness along the entire right side of her body, she began googling her symptoms and weighing the possibilities while awaiting the results of an MRI. Though she received a diagnosis soon thereafter, nearly every neurologist she consulted encouraged the same disease-modifying therapy and after researching the side effects, Chloe opted instead to adopt special diets and a natural path to managing her symptoms. 

Tune in and learn more about how Chloe found complete relief from her symptoms while away in New Zealand, find motivation to be your own advocate, and how she found her way to HSCT despite doctors’ and friends’ concerns that she would die. Hear more about her experience in Monterrey and how she was able to stay active and sane despite the global pandemic.

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: https://hsctmexico.com
HSCT Warriors, Inc.: https://HSCTWarriors.org

Meet Ovi on her way to Puebla and learn what it means to be strong-strong (Ep. 59)

February 10, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ovi James
AI: Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: February 2021
Superpower: Strength, Bravery, Grit, Courage

When faced with adversity, are you able to advocate for yourself? Are you someone who can find gratitude often? What gifts can you share with the world?

After years of terrible headaches and issues with standing and walking, Ovi ended up losing her job and her home which caused significant relapses that rendered her disabled. As a single mother, Ovi’s goal was to focus on the positive and help her son “see the light at the end of the tunnel” even though she struggled to understand everything that was going on as her family chose not to support her. With the support of various shelters and physical, occupational, and mental health therapies, Ovi was able to focus on healing and learning how to better advocate for herself. She eventually found a rheumatologist who was able to see she was struggling with more than fibromyalgia and scheduled the MRI that led to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

Although this interview occurred the weekend that Ovi was preparing to head to Clinica Ruiz in Mexico, it is airing while she is currently undergoing treatment and could use continued support from our HSCT community. Tune in and learn more about Ovi’s journey and how she found strength in being properly diagnosed, and keep such a positive outlook on life and how she turned inward to focus on her gifts in order to actualize the possibilities of pursuing 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:
Social media YouTube: @ovijames and Instagram: @itsovijames
Clinica Ruiz: https://hsctmexico.com
HSCT Warriors: https://HSCTWarriors.org

Welcoming Season 6 and personal growth with Ali Strong (Ep. 58)

February 3, 2021 — Leave a comment

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

How often do you set intentions? Are you comfortable stepping into the unknown? How easy is it to consider yourself first?

Our season openers would not be the same without checking in with Ali Strong about her experiences post-HSCT with diet and nutrition, exercise, mindset, wellness, and personal challenges to continue promoting wellness, health and longevity. Check in with Ali to reflect on all that has changed during her experience with HSCT recovery. Join us for this informative, authentic, and engaging dialog that highlights the importance of reaching out for help.

Please share your ideas for upcoming episodes 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 with contact information for HSCT clinics. 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:
AliStrong: facebook.com/pages/AliStrong
HSCT Warriors, Inc.: https://hsctwarriors.org
Genomic sequencing: https://yourgenomicresource.com/

Revisit Cecilia’s journey to HSCT and be inspired by her renewed “lens of love”

January 6, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Cecilia
Snowflake: RRMS
HSCT: July 11, 2018 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Superpower: Connections

How positive is your outlook? How empowered do you feel by your faith and innate resilience? When life seems scattered like a puzzle, how do your pieces fit together? 

Tune in to learn more about how Cecilia embraces a positive mindset, regular mantras, and her lens of love to face any challenge that presents itself. Within the first few weeks post-HSCT, Cecilia found strength in physical therapy, resilience in connections and sharing her experiences, and even found the balance to get back to work part-time.  

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.

Resources: 
Affirmations by Louise Hay

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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.