#superpowers

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.

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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 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

Meet Cassidy along her journey of over-achieving before and after HSCT* (Ep. 67)

April 21, 2021 — Leave a comment

*This episode contains content that may be alarming to some listeners, including mentions of suicidal ideation. Please check the show notes for more detailed descriptions and take care of yourself*

Warrior: Cassidy V. Chapman
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: July 15, 2019
Superpower: Passion for bringing awareness to HSCT

To what extent are you an over-achiever? How open are you to receiving support from others? Where do you find family?

After being diagnosed with MS her first year of law school, Cassidy was initially able to manage her disease with a variety of disease-modifying therapies. Though building a successful career as an attorney came with compounding stress that caused significant relapses which left Cassidy fighting optic neuritis and blindness, it was the fatigue and cognitive impairments that ultimately led her doctor to recommend she stop working. After waiting 33 months to be approved for social security disability, Cassidy found creative ways to stay afloat while managing her relapses and steroid psychosis. Thanks to the guidance of an eleven-year HSCT veteran, once Cassidy decided it was time to pursue HSCT, she surrounded herself with caregivers.

With frank conversation about Cassidy’s experience seeking disability about the side effects of multiple sclerosis and its’ medical treatments, including steroid psychosis that led to homicidal and suicidal ideation (skip 40:00-42:30 and 1:02:00-1:05:05 if you want to avoid these parts of the conversation), this episode offers helpful insights about MS symptoms to look out for both pre- and post-HSCT. Tune in to learn more about Cassidy’s scare at 14 months post-HSCT and how her experience with HSCT has shifted her perspective and her priorities.

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.

Continue along Joceline’s journey and learn the practice to work-around covid (Ep. 62 part 2)

March 10, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Joceline
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: soon in 2021?
Superpowers: doing nothing

How comfortable are you with uncertainty? Are you able to leave the unknown alone? How do you find patience when you find yourself on the brink?

Picking up where we left off in this two-part episode, tune in to learn more about how Joceline reacted to the idea of incorporating a wheelchair as an assistive device, how she continues to manage her multiple sclerosis as she awaits HSCT, and the practices she has learned through various resources and connections. As a nurse’s assistant by training, Joceline continues detailing her journey beyond diagnosis, attempts at treatment, and pursuit of HSCT, including sharing her strategies for fundraising and finding patience with lockdown in the UK while awaiting the Russian border to open.

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 Moscow
MS Tripping on Air Instagram
HSCT Warriors Podcast
HSCT Warriors, Inc.

Enjoy Joceline’s reflections and find compassion for just wanting to feel normal (Ep. 62 part 1)

March 3, 2021 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Joceline
AI: Multiple Sclerosis
HSCT: soon in 2021?
Superpowers: doing nothing

How do you establish trust in the systems? How many doctors have you fired? How do you find patience when you find yourself on the brink?

After initially being brushed off by doctors, once diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Joceline found she wasn’t interested in pursuing medication for what she felt doctors knew very little about at the time. As she chose to pursue a natural course of treatment with Chi Gong, diet, and acupuncture, Joceline offers powerful reflections with the wisdom of hindsight in finding compassion for her younger self, who just wanted to feel ‘normal’ despite her diagnosis. 

Tune in this week to learn how after eight years of managing the diagnosis with alternative narratives and symptom etiologies, Joceline finally experienced her diagnosis-moment after finding a neurologist who appeared genuinely concerned for her well-being. Sharing details about the ups and downs of relapses, rejecting medications, and navigating modifications to walking, working, and support by the NHS medical professionals, this two-part episode offers a wealth of information and insights along the road to HSCT. As a nurse’s assistant by training, Joceline shares one of the most detailed interviews about her journey through diagnosis, treatment, and pursuit of HSCT, including sharing her strategies for fundraising and finding patience as she awaits the border to reopen.

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:
Bates Natural Vision Improvement Exercises
Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
Ahna Crum
Roger McDougal
MS Tripping on Air
NHS Expert Patients

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

Be inspired by Denise’s courage to take charge of her experience with stiff person syndrome (replay from S1)

December 2, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Denise Bishop
Snowflake: Stiff Person Syndrome
HSCT: 9/12/17, Chicago
Superpower: Increased empathy

Have you ever found yourself distracted by concern for the people in your life that are stressed about your condition? Do you question whether the resources you find when researching your condition are of comparable quality to the resources your doctors can access? Have you learned how to embrace the courage to make your own decisions in healthcare?  

Be inspired to take charge of your health when you meet Denise, a warrior who tapped into her 35 years of service as a trauma-care nurse when diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome. Once she started researching the disease, eventual progression, treatment options (e.g. IVIG, plasmapharesis, valium) and their respective side-effects, she informed her neurologist that HSCT would be the only option forward she found to be acceptable.

Tune in to learn strategies for handling the logistics of HSCT, including the importance of building a strong support team, knowing your limits, and finding a purpose. Denise shares insights that help to promote her mental, emotional, and physical recoveries.

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.

_________________________________

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 Ellie’s journey with HSCT and get comfortable to “let go of expectations”

November 18, 2020 — Leave a comment

Warrior: Ellie Baum
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 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, shared in the list of resources below.

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.

_________________________________

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 noted: 
Ellie’s blog: http://HSCTforMS.com
HeartMath: https://www.heartmath.com
Jiyo: https://jiyo.com/home
YogaGlo: http:www.YogaGlo.com

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.