I'm joined by Ella and Jamie, who are both Cystic Fibrosis patients. Ella is holding steady with diminished lung function thanks to a new drug that she discusses on this episode. Jamie is post double lung transplant. They share their ups and downs, and how knowing your body is important in knowing when to make the decision for transplant. 

About Ella: I am 28 years old and was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 18 months old.  CF is a life-limiting, invisible, chronic, and rare lung disease. Since being a child, I’ve had countless hospitalizations to receive intravenous antibiotics to treat the lung infections that are the hallmark of this disease. These infections deteriorate the lung tissue over time, reducing function, and ultimately leading to failure requiring a double lung transplant to prolong life. My disease is becoming visible as I require using supplemental oxygen with physical activity, but despite the physical limitations I have with 28% lung function, I’ve never let it be my excuse. 

About Jamie:  Jamie is a 33 year old Interior Designer from St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Jamie has endured an immeasurable amount of suffering in his life but since his double lung transplant in 2017, he’s determined to make the rest of his life, the best of his life. Jamie discusses how important mental health is post transplant and working through shame and turning it into empowerment.

Fck The Illness Podcast is hosted by Nika Roxana, who is a kidney transplant patient wanting to bring together the chronic illness community and and change how the world views chronic illness.

www.fcktheillness.com

www.instagram.com/fcktheillness 

Nika will be joined by Brandon M. and Candice D. talking about how to find your own answers when dealing with chronic illness. What do you need to know to take action when it comes to your health? A chronic illness diagnosis can not only be devastating, but life altering. It's normal to feel overwhelmed and lost. This podcast episode is creating to help you overcome those feelings and find a path forward. 

Hosted by: Nika Eshetu

IG: @fcktheillness

Web: www.fcktheillness.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fcktheillness

*Brandon Mouw was just three-years-old when he was diagnosed as a Juvenile Type 1 Diabetic. His journey with diabetes is a survivor's story. Growing up to become a brittle diabetic, he underwent nine surgeries, lost a kidney, was told that death was imminent, and raised over $250,000 to pay for a life saving pancreas only transplant. Brandon can be found embarking on a new chapter in life which includes a book about how he overcame the impossible, motivational speaking, bringing awareness to chronic illness, and using his story and experiences as a resource to motivate others to keep on kickin'!*

To Get In Touch With Brandon:

Instagram: @brandonmouwofficial

Twitter: @bmouwofficial

Youtube: brandonmouwofficial

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/brandonmouwofficial

*Candice Davis is an athlete who was diagnosed with Hyper Mobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  She is a fire wife and mom to two children. She owns a functional fitness gym in the Dallas Fort Worth area and was a competitive weight lifter before her health began to decline. She loves coaching her athletes and stays motivated through working towards competing again despite her debilitating diagnosis. *

To Get In Touch With Candice:

Instagram: @Candiquads

Sean and Michael go deeper into what goes through a man's mind during diagnosis and while dealing with side effects of chronic illness. Their open and honest stories show the private thoughts men deal with when going through their illness and what it took them to build up their mentality.

In today's episode, I'm joined by Sean Pears and Michael S. Martin as they discuss what it's like for a man to go through chronic illness. The internal struggles that affect them emotionally, physically and mentally. I am so grateful to these two men for openly speaking about their experiences.

Episode 3 is a discussion with fellow female entrepreneurs about the ups and downs of having a business and chronic illness.

Nika Roxana is joined by Brigette Hurley and Michael S. Martin to discuss their experiences of being diagnosed with chronic illness.

Nika Roxana is joined by Brigette Hurley and Michael S. Martin to continue their discussion about the process of being diagnosed with chronic illness and what mental shifts were needed to keep going every day.