In this episode, I talk about what it truly means to be seen. I share the gratitude I felt when family, friends, and even strangers stepped up with food, cards, and financial help. So often, we move through life believing no one notices us, but that belief can blind us to the kindness around us. Human connection is powerful and valuable, even when we build walls that keep others out. 

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In this episode, I step away from my regular broadcast to discuss another often-overlooked survival method: grieving. During Halloween, I decided to wear my old scrubs from my veterinary social work internship. While waiting at a taco truck surrounded by hundreds of trick-or-treaters, I found myself in an unexpected conversation with the owner. He shared the pain of losing his beloved pet. The line behind us grew, but for a moment, time stood still. Our exchange left me wondering if he had truly permitted himself to grieve.

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 Leaving the hospital is supposed to mean you’re headed home to heal — but what if home isn’t ready for healing? Many of us believe we can care for ourselves until reality catches up. The truth is, recovery isn’t a solo act. Whether it’s a friend, a neighbor, or someone unexpected, sometimes the right caregiver finds you. Between the endless blood draws and clinic visits, a strange thing happens — community builds right there in the waiting room. Healing, it turns out, doesn’t just happen at home. It happens when we let others in. 

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In this episode of Scarred Not Silent, I share what it was like to wake up after transplant surgery and begin the healing process. The hospital stay wasn’t what I expected—major surgery, but surprisingly manageable pain. Within days, I transitioned off the morphine drip to simple pain pills and Tylenol. When the room quieted, the focus turned to healing—one slow step at a time. Walking came sooner than I thought, though keeping that gown closed became its own challenge. After a full week in the hospital, I left with gratitude, humility, and a few lessons about strength that medicine can’t prescribe.

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There are days that mark us forever — my transplant day is one of them. What should have been my rebirth turned bittersweet when I learned it was also the day my best friend faced a devastating loss. Now, every anniversary carries both gratitude and grief, like careless whispers of what life gives and takes away.

When I woke up that morning, the good stuff was flowing through my veins, and the pain was minimal. I knew this was the beginning of a new chapter. Somewhere in North Carolina, another life was being touched through a long chain of giving that started with my gift.

Despite the unexpected mix of emotions, I remain thankful. This is the story of my second chance — and the reminder that healing often comes hand in hand with heartbreak.

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My first late upload. Life threw a curveball when Amazon’s system crash froze several of the tools I use to run this show, but I’m back and grounded. After some deep reflection, I realized it’s time for everyone, myself included, to take their place and prepare for what’s next. There’s no full rehearsal in life, just a few moments to gather ourselves before the big surgery, the big leap, or the big change. Despite the potential complications, I was mentally prepared. I wasn’t worried, just human, a little anxious, yet calm enough to keep my poker face steady.

It’s an honest look at readiness, resilience, and what happens when life says, “Showtime.”

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I finally got the call. This time, it was real.
The moment I’d prayed for, fought for, and feared all at once.
With little time to prepare, I was handed a few instructions—and a lifetime of emotions flooded in. As I sat in silence, reality settled: I was about to face a life-changing procedure—one that carried deadly risks and astonishing rewards.

In this episode, I share the unfiltered truth of that moment. The anticipation. The fear. The faith it took to move forward when standing still felt safer.

Join me as I reflect on what happens when the moment you’ve been waiting for finally arrives… and your only choice is to say yes.

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In this episode, I pull back the curtain on what really happens while waiting for a kidney transplant. Many people don’t realize that dialysis often means you stop urinating altogether—and how that simple loss can change everything. I share what it’s like to live in that waiting space, why so many die before getting their call, and how others can help bridge the gap. This isn’t just about kidneys; it’s about compassion, awareness, and action.

If you’ve ever wondered how to increase your chances of getting a kidney—or how you can help someone who’s waiting—this episode is for you.

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This week’s episode comes to you a little later—dog-sitting duties and an occasional yapper made sure of that. Somewhere between walks and water bowls, I fell into a YouTube rabbit hole watching two Malcolm X interviews: one during his time with the Nation of Islam, and another after his pilgrimage to Mecca.

What stood out most was Malcolm’s awakening. He realized that for years, he hadn’t been thinking for himself. His journey toward discovery began the moment he started asking questions.

It made me think about how many of us, especially those living with illness, accept every word from medical professionals as the absolute truth. This isn’t about ditching your care team—they’re vital. It’s about courageously asking the questions you’re afraid to ask.

Because sometimes, healing starts not with an answer, but with the bravery to ask why.

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 They say “the call” changes everything. For most transplant patients, that phone call means life, hope, and a second chance. But what happens when you get the call, only to find out you’re not next? This week, I open up about what it feels like to stand between hope and heartbreak. We’ll discuss the emotions that flood in: joy, fear, guilt, and the complex dance between selfishness and selflessness that comes with waiting. Because sometimes, even when the phone rings, the hardest part isn’t the wait, it’s what the waiting brings out in us. 

Takeaway: You are invited to reflect on how you manage hope when outcomes aren’t guaranteed, and how to honor both the selfish desire to live and the selfless heart that wishes others well. 

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Thanks for tuning in to Scarred Not Silent: Stories from the Intersection of Survival. Stay connected: www.scarrednotsilent.com | [email protected] | Support the show by leaving a review!

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