The Nutcracker Syndrome podcast

Welcome back to the NCS podcast.  In this episode, I want to provide some additional details on ways to ease the financial burden of what you are going through. For many, you have to travel to see a specialist, but rest assured! There are travel options for you that can help cut costs. I offer more details about each of the below option—things to know when navigating each organization—but I wanted...

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! In this episode, I dive deeper into how to prepare for your inpatient stay, covering important topics like visitor hours, the food menu, what to bring with you, and more. Toward the end of the episode, I also share a few personal insights—what proved helpful for me and things I wish I had considered after being discharged from the hospital. Please keep in mind that...

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! I want to thank everyone who has tuned in to listen to my ramblings for the first couple of episodes. This was the first request I received, which jogged my memory in that, "Yes! I did do a nuclear medicine scan, and I completely forgot to talk about it on this show". So here we are! Even more reason why I appreciate all the feedback/requests you all have provided...

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! As an extension of episode 7, I wanted to zoom in on the initial consult I had with UWHealth in Madison, WI as this was a *F U L L* day of appointments/scans (9am - 3pm). As stated throughout all the episodes, I share my lived experience; thus, how the initial consult went for me isn't the same as how it goes for others. There are some that have other scans schedul...

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, I take a deep dive into all things kidney autotransplant —the surgery I personally opted for. As of this recording, I’m three months post-op. My surgery took place on December 19, 2024, at UW Health in Madison, WI, with Drs. Foley and Phillips, with Dr. Foley as the primary surgeon on my case. In the first half of this episode, I break down what a...

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! We're continuing to build episode by episode, starting with my NCS diagnosis and now diving into the specific scans and procedures that led to my kidney autotransplant. In the previous episode (#5), I shared my lived experience with the venogram. In this episode, we take a deeper look into the renal hilar block (RHB). I discuss not only what the RHB is and why it's...

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! In this episode, I take a deep dive into all things venogram. I’ll share key tips and considerations to keep in mind before your procedure, along with a firsthand walkthrough of what the day was like for me. My goal in sharing these details is to help ease any anxiety you might have about this step in the process. In my experience, this procedure was a walk in the...

Welcome back to the NCS podcast! In this episode, we’ll dive into the important questions to ask your doctors to help you determine if they’re the right fit for you. Before we get into the heart of the discussion, we take a brief detour to talk about insurance—how your plan (or lack thereof) can impact not only the questions you ask but also whether you even have the flexibility to shop around for...

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! As many of you might already know, navigating the world of vascular compressions can feel like a joke—especially if you've been diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome. Out of my five-doctor team, only two even knew what NCS was. That’s exactly why I hope this podcast can provide some insight into the steps you can take to move from point A to point B on this journey. M...

In this episode of the Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS) Podcast , I take a deep dive into what Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS) is, breaking down the condition in a way that’s easy to understand. I share my personal journey with NCS—the challenges, the milestones, and everything in between. We’ll explore the common signs and symptoms that often go unrecognized, as well as the lesser-known aspects of this rare c...

Welcome to the Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS) Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. But if you’ve just been diagnosed, suspect you might have NCS, or are a loved one of someone navigating this condition, I also want to say—I’m sorry you have to be here. NCS is not an easy diagnosis, and my heart goes out to you. Sending you all a big hug as you embark on this journey. This quick episode will give you a gli...