My Spoonie Sisters

 *Trigger Warning* What if your lifelong pain was dismissed as mere imagination? Join us as we explore Riane's powerful narrative of self-advocacy and perseverance in the face of medical doubt. As a Hawaii native, Riane offers an intimate look into her life with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and chronic migraines, shedding light on how these experiences, along with her grandmother's wisd...

What happens when your life takes an unexpected turn, and you're faced with navigating the complexities of a chronic illness far from home? Meet Helen, a determined life coach whose journey through an ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis after battling COVID in her late 20s reshaped her world. Tune in as Helen shares her personal story of overcoming the intense physical challenges and emotional u...

After years of enduring chronic pain, Rick Cram transformed his life by embracing resilience. His story of overcoming a high school football injury and multiple surgeries will inspire you to rethink how you approach life's challenges. We promise you'll gain valuable insights from his “Plan to Be Your Best” program, designed to build resilience and find purpose despite setbacks. Rick’s jo...

Discover how you can manage the financial strain of chronic illnesses with insights from Laura and Jamie of Universal Drugstore, who join us for a candid discussion on medication affordability. We begin with Laura's heartfelt account of living with juvenile arthritis and how the exorbitant drug prices in the U.S. compare to more affordable international options. Learn about Universal Drugstor...

Maggie Bushway's journey of overcoming brain cancer and navigating life with seizures is nothing short of inspiring. Diagnosed at just seven, she turned her battle into a beacon of hope through storytelling. As she shares her experiences, Maggie reveals how her father's blog posts and her sister's artwork helped her transform her story into a heartfelt book during her chemotherapy t...

What if you could recognize early signs of health deterioration before it turns into a crisis? Join us in a conversation with the inspiring couple, Jeff and Catherine Pearson, as they share their remarkable journey navigating life with hydrocephalus. Jeff, who has managed this condition since birth, and Catherine, his devoted caregiver, reveal their story of resilience through multiple surgeries a...

What if your greatest challenges could fuel your passion and shape your life's ambitions? Meet Lauren, a clinical assistant at Boston Children's Hospital, whose journey with Conradi-Hunermann syndrome and nearly 30 orthopedic surgeries has not only defined her path but also her dream of becoming a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Through her eyes, we gain a profound understanding of the hum...

After grappling with juvenile idiopathic arthritis since she was just 15, our guest Ali shares her transformative journey from denial to empowerment. Allie's story is one of incredible resilience as she navigates the physical challenges of surgeries and isolation, ultimately finding strength and purpose through movement. As a certified personal trainer, Ali now inspires others with similar li...

Ever wondered how someone navigates the unique challenges of a thriving career in musical theater while dealing with the daily hurdles of a chronic illness? Chelsey, our inspiring guest, shares her remarkable journey from Vancouver to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and how she's now making a difference as the Associate Director of Musical Theater at the 92nd Street Y in New York Ci...

Ever wondered how someone can transform adversity into strength? Meet Victoria, a spirited yoga instructor living with lupus, who shares her powerful journey from undiagnosed college student to a wellness advocate in the bustling city of New York. Experience her raw and emotional recount of confronting extreme fatigue, hair loss, and brain fog before finally receiving her life-changing diagnosis....

What if embracing your vulnerabilities could become your greatest strength? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jake Mayers, a Lyme coach who has turned his chronic illness journey into a pathway for helping others. From dealing with dyslexia as a child to confronting the harsh realities of a Lyme disease diagnosis at 15, Jake's story is one of resilience and creativity. He shares h...

Could you imagine enduring years of chronic pain, only to discover it was more than just "growing pains"? Meet Kait, our remarkable guest who shared her compelling journey from a passionate marathon runner to navigating a labyrinth of medical challenges. From femoral acetabular impingement to labral tears, Kait opens up about her painful experiences that began at the young age of 13 and...

Walking into my first rheumatology appointment back in 2011 was overwhelming, but looking back, the right preparation made all the difference. This episode is your guide to navigating the often confusing world of autoinflammatory arthritis. We discuss the crucial elements of your first rheumatology visit, from bringing a detailed medical history to understanding the importance of a thorough physic...

What if a childhood filled with unexplained symptoms could finally find clarity years later? In this emotional and powerful episode, we journey with Jodi as she takes us through the highs and lows of her lupus diagnosis. From the age of four, Jodi's life was a whirlwind of mysterious rashes, fatigue, and pain. It wasn't until she was 13, with the help of the dedicated rheumatology team a...

Imagine enduring years of unexplained fatigue, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel, only to find out these symptoms were just the tip of the iceberg. Join us as Stasha shares her enlightening journey to a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, revealing the red flags she overlooked and how a rheumatologist finally brought clarity to her persistent health issues. Discover her tips for managing RA, from biologic...

How do you turn a life of chronic pain and addiction into one of resilience and inspiration? On this episode of "My Spoonie Sisters," we welcome Andrea Vincent, a beacon of hope in the chronic pain community. Andrea opens up about her journey from high school misdiagnoses to her battles with osteoarthritis, hypermobility syndrome, and fibromyalgia. Her story takes a powerful turn when sh...

Are you curious about how patient participation can revolutionize medical research? Join us as we sit down with Emily, a dedicated bio-enthusiast and biotech professional, to uncover her journey from cell biology student to trailblazer at the biotech startup Immu. Emily shares her mission to make complex scientific concepts approachable, fueled by her passion for CRISPR technology and personal exp...

Have you ever wondered how a small act of kindness can make a colossal difference in someone's life? Join us for an uplifting conversation with Dawn, the inspiring founder of "Cards to Warriors," who transitioned from a radiation therapist to an advocate for patients and caregivers. Dawn shares her heartfelt journey and the touching story behind this incredible initiative that sprea...

Have you ever wondered how one navigates life with multiple chronic illnesses? Meet Alexa Sutherland, who has been fighting against juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since she was just 15 months old and later fibromyalgia, ankylosing spondylitis, and the more recent Grave's disease diagnosis. Her journey is a testament to resilience and the power of community. Alexa shares her story, highlighting...

Can you imagine the frustration of battling a chronic illness and not finding the right treatment? On our milestone 100th episode, we reconnect with the remarkable Alison, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 28. Her journey from struggling with an unhelpful specialist to meeting the incredible Dr. Tony is nothing short of inspiring. Despite the bittersweet news of Tony's...

Ever felt overwhelmed by a health condition misdiagnosis? In this heartfelt episode, join me, Gracefully Jen, as I recount my personal journey with psoriasis, starting from the first sores that appeared on my ankle back in 2016. Initially mistaken for a skin infection, my condition went through a series of misdiagnoses until a visit to my rheumatologist revealed the surprising truth: a rare form o...

Curious about how to navigate life with rheumatoid arthritis while maintaining a positive outlook? Join us as we reconnect with Cheryl Crow with Jen Weaver,  spirited advocates and fellow Spoonies, who share her heartfelt journies. Jen opens up about the severe allergic reactions she's faced with TNF inhibitors leading to pustular psoriasis, offering a candid look at her daily routines and th...

What if you were diagnosed with a chronic illness at the age of five? In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Elizabeth, who opens up about her lifelong battle with lupus. From the early signs of hair loss and severe fatigue to the relentless support of her mother and medical team, Elizabeth’s story is one of resilience and hope. She takes us through the evolution of her treatment—from the ini...

Ever wondered how small lifestyle changes can significantly impact chronic illness management? Join us for an enlightening conversation with Patrick, a dedicated Florida-based pharmacist who specializes in reducing medication burdens for those with chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases. Patrick shares his holistic approach to healthcare, which includes a meticulous review of medication lists,...

What if the power to overcome a life-threatening illness lies within your mindset? Join us for an enlightening episode featuring mindset coach Sharon Banyas Hefetz, who bravely shares her journey of battling an aggressive form of multiple myeloma. Diagnosed at just 45, Sharon's story is not just one of medical treatments but of the incredible strength of positivity and self-advocacy. Discover...