HSCT Warriors

Warrior: Matt LeFrance

AI: Multiple Sclerosis

HSCT: June-July 2022

Superpower: peace of mind

How do you know what to expect? From whom do you seek feedback? How do you decide to take the next step?

Diagnosed just after college at the young age of 25 when he experienced double vision and a variety of doctors had a hard time understanding what was going on, Matt was diagnosed after a MRI revealed a lesion on his brain stem. As he pondered what was next, despite feeling as though life was ending when it should be only just beginning, Matt spent time researching his options for treatment before aging out of insurance coverage.

Tune in to learn more about Matt’s research efforts, his natural approach to managing MS for thirteen years before HSCT, and how he fared during his time in Puebla at Clinica Ruiz. 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:

Best Bet Diet and MS Hope

Warrior: Mike

AI: Multiple Sclerosis

HSCT: January 17, 2022

Superpower: acceptance and grace

Where does kindness hit you? To what extent do you seek grace? How well do you find acceptance?

We first met Mike in Season 7, shortly after he found out about HSCT. After battling with insurance and seeking HSCT at different clinics in the United States, Mike considered a variety of factors in his decision to pursue treatment in Monterrey, Mexico. As Mike works to support physical improvements despite spasticity post-transplant and a battle with COVID, he is finding room for his superpowers of acceptance and grace. Tune in to learn more about the ‘hiccups’ that Mike encountered and their resolution, as well as considerations for family and recovery.

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.

_________________________________

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.

Warrior: Dr. Richard K. Burt

AI: halter

HSCT: pioneer

Superpowers: vast knowledge, being patient-centric, caring for improvement in quality of life, facilitating clarity through education, and fortitude in human spirit

With gratitude for the additional time to connect with Dr. Richard Burt and celebrate the recent publication of his latest book, Everyday Miracles: Curing multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, and autoimmune diseases by hematopoietic stem cell transplant, we’re sharing a verbatim transcript of this conversation, the second of two episodes featuring Dr. Burt, on our website, https:HSCTWarriorsPodcast.org

Warrior: Dr. Richard K. Burt

AI: Halter

HSCT: Pioneer

Superpowers: tenacity, resilience, curiosity, compassion, holistic approach

With gratitude for time to connect with Dr. Richard K. Burt and celebrate the recent publication of his latest book, Everyday Miracles: Curing multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, and autoimmune diseases by hematopoietic stem cell transplant, we’re sharing the following verbatim transcript of this conversation, the first of two featuring Dr. Burt. Tune in next Wednesday to hear more in a second conversation with Dr. Burt.

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.

_________________________________

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.

Warrior: Ali Strong

AI: Multiple Sclerosis

HSCT: November, 2017

Superpower: Acceptance

What do you do for yourself that brings you joy? Are you someone who accepts moderation? To what extent do you find balance in life?

Check in with Ali Strong to recount her experience finding her way to and through HSCT and learn how she is feeling now at more than five years post-transplant, including her struggles with menopause, disordered eating, and mental health. Join Ali and Zen Jen in discussion about Dr. Burt’s latest book and what’s to come with the podcast.

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.

_________________________________

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.

Warrior: Graciela

AI: Multiple Sclerosis

HSCT: January 2021

Superpower: value for life

After initially being told her symptoms were all in her head, Graciela received an apology from her neurologist along with her diagnosis. She was presented with options for treatment including disease modifying therapies and the extreme option of HSCT. When she further explored HSCT as an option, she learned that Clinica Ruiz offered the treatment in her hometown of Monterrey and she immediately connected with family to learn more.

Tune in to learn how Graciela kept a positive attitude and mindset to help her take on anger, fear of the unknown, thyroid issues, and covid. 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.

_________________________________

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.

Warrior: Heidi Peterson

AI: Relapsing Remitting MS

HSCT: July, 2019

Superpower: strength

Do you take the time to celebrate in life? How often do you recognize the little victories?

Although Heidi was diagnosed relatively soon after her first experiences with early symptoms of multiple sclerosis, the doctor she saw focused more on prescribing medications to treat symptoms she was experiencing and it seemed her MS diagnosis was set aside. After seeking other care that led to identifying additional health issues, she soon realized the tally of prescriptions totaled thirty different medications, including some that should not be taken together.

Tune in to learn more about how Heidi regained control of her health care and pursued HSCT in Monterrey, spent six months taking cautions to work through neutropenia, only to return to quarantine due to covid. 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.

_________________________________

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.

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.

_________________________________

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.

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?

After a happenstance diagnosis of MS, Zarko initially held on to the hope that his symptoms would be a one-time hit of CIS. Easy to rationalize because of all the stress he experienced, he recovered fairly quickly and set out on his career path as a new attorney. After a year, the disease caught up with him, and unfortunately he noticed new symptoms that helped confirm his diagnosis. As he consulted with research about the disease and various treatment options, he found HSCT and asked two different neurologists for their opinions.

Tune in to the first of this two-part episode to learn more about Zarko’s plans to pursue HSCT and how they were delayed by covid. 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.

_________________________________

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.

Warrior: Yavor Milanov

AI: Relapsing Remitting MS

HSCT: Scheduled in March 2022

Superpowers: Consistency

How well do you attune with culture? Is your mindset one of growth, or is it fixed? How do you navigate your internal compass?

After his diagnosis, Yavor felt tired and run-down facing his experience as a new immigrant working three or four jobs at a time. He experienced terrible side effects after steroids and trying an initial disease modifying therapy, so returned home to Bulgaria for a long respite. Rest, reduced stress, and time with family and friends helped reduce his symptoms and after six months, he returned to Canada and began noticing his disease becoming more active.

Refusing to accept an incurable disease as his destiny, Yavor made radical changes to his diet and lifestyle to become as healthy as possible. Tune in to learn more about Yavor’s experience with the Wahl diet, mesenchymal stem cells in Panama, how he leaned on the discipline of swimming to keep his motivation and disposition positive, and his ability to anticipate (rather than react) to what is on the horizon, including his plans to pursue HSCT in Russia.

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.

_________________________________

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.