A Mom's Life

Episode 35. With a rich family history of breast cancer, she hoped it would skip her but deep down she knew her diagnosis would come.  Nikki shares her incredible story of battling breast cancer and having a major and rare complication with her a double mastectomy surgery.

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WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
2:30- Welcome Nikki! A wife, mother of  4 and now breast cancer survivor.
3:15- Why she always knew she would be on this journey.
4:45- Being proactive and how that caught the cancer early.
8:30- Getting a biopsy and the after-hours call no one wants from the doctor.
13:00- Deciding to get her care at Ohio State.
14:15- She wants to remind women to not miss their appointments!
16:11- Was having the family history a blessing?
16:52- How she told her kids she had breast cancer
19:05- Pandemic hits and she is recovering. Why it was difficult to focus on herself.
20:20- Of course this timecode would be 2020. The story of her double mastectomy surgery and how it went really, really wrong.
24:00- The chilling ask from a nurse during the tense moments.
25:00- 6 blood transfusions later, she starts her recovery.
28:30- Nipple sparing mastectomy
31:04- Making that initial decision to take her breasts.
32:40- What Nikki's message is to women.
35:13- Why she is getting her daughter tested at age 18!

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Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW:

Episode 34. It’s truly never too late to become whoever you want to be. Fitness trainer and The Biggest Loser Trainer, Erica Lugo shares her fascinating story of weight loss and all the things she gained along the way.

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast@KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
(minute by minute breakdown)
1:00- Have you ever wanted to reinvent yourself?
2:30- Welcome Erica!
4:50- She lost 160 pounds!! Was that her goal?
7:30- Her son triggered her desire to lose weight
9:30- Started with basics. Eating healthier, getting active
11:30- When you see benefits, it spurs your desire
12:30- Having control over her body
14:07- She is a Biggest Loser Trainer and she still has days she doesn't want to show up
15:45- Why who she was as a woman changed
17:20- Biggest hurdle clients have is that one size does not fit all. We use blanket excuses because it's easy
20:20- It can take years to undo the decades of negative thoughts about yourself
22:00- Taking care of yourself on the inside
22:52- The car accident that alerted her to a big health issue...thyroid cancer
29:15- Where her strength came from to get through it
34:12- Putting yourself out there and getting her spot on The Biggest Loser as a trainer!
40:00- What is it like on set?
44:00- What her son thinks of her. Staying humble in Ohio
46:15- Married during a pandemic
50:15- Tips for taking control of body and life
52:00- What would you tell the former you?

Erica's website can be found here.
He monthly fitness program can be found here.
Instagram: @ericafitlove

-Minute with Mike (54:15)
Finding the root cause of why you are not losing weight.
Connecting control over weight to control over your emotions and attitude.

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma! Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language! Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW:
Erica’s Fit Love website,  click here.

Episode 33. Miscarriage and dreaming of what might have been for your family. It impacts 1 in 4 women. This month, we are recognizing all the parents who have lost a baby or infant. In this episode, we talk with author and speaker Rachel Lewis. she is an adoptive, foster, and biological mom. She experienced five pregnancy losses and writes about them on her blog, The Lewis Note, as well as at Still Standing Magazine and Pregnancy After Loss Support. She is the founder of the online support group Brave Mamas, the safest place to grieve a child. Her first book, Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss, releases August 2021.

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
(minute by minute breakdown)
4:00- Rachel's story. Back to back losses. Why she started to feel like it was part of her identity
8:00- The loss of hopes and dreams
10:30- Why is it taboo to talk about?
11:15- When there is no happy answers, it's hard for society to deal with it.
12:30- The aftermath of a miscarriage
13:15- Why she felt like a stranger in her own body
18:00- Waiting period for trying again
21:20- Word and labels matter. Why it's ok to talk about the differences.
22:50- Rachel's ectopic pregnancy story
24:40- The commonalities of all pregnancy loss
26:05- Do we need a different word for miscarriage?
26:55- Thoughts on waiting to announce until the 12 week mark.
29:00- Reactions from others
29:50- What others should and should not say after a pregnancy loss
31:00- Why it's ok to mention it.
31:15- Why you shouldn't say "let me know if you need anything"
31:45- Silence hurts
34:15- Resources
36:30- Rachel's new book coming out next year. Unexpecting: Real Talk on Pregnancy Loss
38:10- Partners and how we grieve differently
46:00- Last word to any mama who has experienced pregnancy loss.


STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Free guide for friends and family: "Your BFF Guide to Miscarriage" http://eepurl.com/c7cLLb

Brave Mamas Support Group: www.facebook.com/groups/bravemamas

Website: www.thelewisnote.com

Facbook.com: www.facebook.com/Thelewisnote

Instagram: @rachel.thelewisnote

Episode 32. Is your thyroid the problem? According to thyroid specialist, Dr. Henderson, the thyroid contributes to the function of almost all systems in the body. When it gets wonky, you can start feeling off.

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
(minute by minute breakdown)
:55- A problem that impacts more than 20 million people
1:20- Natalie shares her own story with Thyroid issues
4:25- So many women suffer from this
6:30- Hello Dr. Brittany Henderson
7:50- What is a thyroid?
9:08-Thyroid basically helps all functions of the body
10:05- When it becomes a problem. Why it runs in families.
11:05- Why we should be screening girls at 10 years old for thyroid issues
12:25- Why postpartum is a very common time to develop thyroid issues
16:00- Hyper vs. Hypo and what is your TSH?
18: T3 and T4
20:45- If your levels are off, what's next?
22:30- Making sure you have a doctor who understands thyroid
23:30- Early intervention is key!

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW
https://www.charlestonthyroidcenter.com/
https://www.drhendersonmd.com/

Episode 31. Things we’ve both been hardcore judged for ... and maybe a few things we’ve judged others for too. Let’s stop judging!

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
1:00- Do you ever judge other parents? Let’s talk about it.
5:15- Swearing. When kids do it.
9:39- Screen time at home and at restaurants
12:49- Do we judge parenting on screen time?
14:02- Making a mess at restaurants
15:07- Messy eating
15:37- Are we failing as parents?
16:02- Breastfeeding
19:11- Homebirth
20:49- Pacifier
23:02- Sex ed and teaching your kids about the birds and the bees
28:03- Being too "dressed up" at school events
31:22- Spoiled kids
33:28- Using your kids to parent the younger siblings
35:06- Keeping kids out too late. Kids in bars.
37:46- Is it ever ok to judge? 

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

Episode 30. Divorce, coparenting, and making it all actually work. It’s possible.

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
5:15- Introducing our guest, Amber
7:25- What it was like to tell your child about the decision to divorce
8:50- Child's reaction
10:00- The most heartbreaking moment
11:35- Having that initial conversation with your spouse
12:35- Navigating feelings and making it about the child
13:32- The impact having parents who also divorced
16:55- Putting the child first and why that's not easy all the time
18:45- Do you have to have more trust for your ex-partner than you do your current spouse?
23:25- The firsts
25:20- Routines and flexibility
26:15- Parenting styles and how they vary
*When should you tell your children what really happened?
29:30- New relationships. Dating again and talking to your child about it.
32:10- When other come in and want to change things immediately
33:30- Calling someone else mom or dad
37:10- Single mom challenge
40:40- What happened and why you shouldn't tell your kids about it.
43:30- It's not about you, it's about them.
49:05- Final tips. Giving yourself a break.

MINUTE WITH MIKE
-How to talk to your children about divorce
-What’s the main thing parents should consider when coparenting
-Navigating a strained relationship with your ex while coparenting

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Episode 29. Pregnant again after miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of your child.

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
4:00- Welcome Lindsey Henke, founder of Pregnancy After Loss Support and Clinical Social Worker. Why she started her support group.
11:15- Difference between pregnancy and pregnancy after loss
12:10- No safe zone
15:00- A mother is born when a dream of a baby is conceived
15:50- Dancing with fear & hope
18:15- Questions that helped come to terms with current reality.
20:25- Taking moment by moment
21:25- Parenting before birth and fetal movement monitoring
24:10- Why pregnancy after loss is like getting back into a car after an accident and not being able to get back out for 9 months.
24:30- Loss support
25:20- Partners helping with pregnancy after loss.
29:05- Who grieves most online
32:40- Gender disappointment
36:15- Being pregnant after loss during a pandemic. The unintended consequences.
42:30- Not replacing child you lost and dealing with grief during pregnancy after loss
44- Why postpartum anxiety and depression is more common after a pregnancy after loss
49- How to be pro-active
51- Detachment after birth and why that's normal
54:00- How long to wait after a loss to try again.
56:00- Resources and ways to support PALS.

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Natalie's favorite apps to stay in the moment: Here and here.
Lindsey founded Pregnancy After Loss Support.
Some of her writings can be found here.
Lindsey's blog can be found here. 

Episode 28. We have some exciting news!

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
We hit our 6 month anniversary recently so we thought it would be a good time to do a refresher on who your hosts! Who are we, what's are story, why do we do this podcast! We start with quick introductions just in case you are new to our community. After that, we dive into our BIG NEWS!

Apps mentioned in this episode:
The Calm App
Expectful

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

Episode 27. School looks very different this year, let's discuss!

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
This week we talk with a teacher to give parents some great advice to deal with virtual learning.
(minute by minute breakdown)
5:00- How Katie's first week of virtual learning went in her house
6:00- It's not the teacher's fault
9:00- What Katie told her kids on day 1
16:45- Adversity and adapting to change
19:00- Tips for parents (mom to mom)
30:00- Welcome Kylie, science teacher from the Columbus area. Currently teaching virtually.
41:00- Advice for kids from a teacher
48:00- It's going to take time. Give yourself grace
50:45- Help! Tips for parents
55:00- Empowering kids who want to have a say
58:00- Using this pandemic as a teachable moment
1:00:00- Can you reach out to teachers?
1:02:45- Parting words of wisdom

MINUTE WITH MIKE
1:05:00- Minute with Mike
Mental health of our kids and how what we should be saying
Will this all help us raise better, more well-rounded kids in the end?

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community. 

Episode 26. Ways to parent from afar when your child goes to college.

Follow us on Instagram: @amomslifepodcast @KatieLKenney @ntendall
Click here for our website and like us on Facebook @amomslifepodcast

WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN THIS EPISODE
Great insight from our Licensed Independent Social Worker Mike, of Mi to prepare any parent for some top issues that happen with this age group.
(minute by minute breakdown)
1:00- Last week recap
4:00- This is an extended Minute with Mike.
8:05- Handling the "new"- advice for parents on how to navigate new emotions from their kids.
13:10- Demand for mental health services is going up. Why?
15:00- Depression and anxiety. Warning signs that go with that. Why talk therapy should be paired with any mediation.
18:20- Staring early with teaching your kids how to cope. How technology is making that job harder.
19:00- Why it's okay to let your kids sit in discomfort.
24:00- Difference between a bad stretch and clinical diagnosis
26:00- Academics and navigating the new workload
29:30- Suicidal thoughts are more common than you think. Why it's okay to ask "are you thinking of killing yourself"
32:00- How do you know there is a problem if your child is far away?
33:00- Body image and eating disorders
43:00- Sexual assault and teaching your kids about consent
53:00- Parting words of wisdom and why you probably shouldn't show up unannounced at your child's new place.

STAY WITH US
Next week, and every week, a brand new episode just for you, Momma!
Subscribing, following, and five-star reviews are our love language!
Thank YOU for being part of our community.