In Episode 37, of Our Invisible Life, Kendra and Laura catch up with Becky Caudill (episode 13) to discuss the changes to her health over the past year. Through new symptoms that led to a new diagnosis and finally finding a new treatment that alleviates some pain, Becky continues to advocate for herself and share her story of strength and perseverance while dealing with multiple chronic illnesses.

Becky is a 39 year old, from the Detroit area. She worked for 11 years in healthcare as a Registered Medical Assistant in pediatrics before becoming disabled in June of 2019. During her long journey with chronic illness she has been diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, hypermobility ehlers-danlos syndrome, Sjogrens, Graves Disease, and orthostatic intolerance. Most recently she has also been diagnosed with Tumid Lupus. She loves diamond art painting, spending time with her family, especially her 5 year old nephew and being a chronic illness advocate!

Episode Links:

Tumid Lupus Erythematosus

Mayo Clinic - Acupuncture

American Academy of Dermatology

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 36 of Our Invisible Life Podcast, Laura and Kendra talk with Michelle Bortnick about her personal experience with a chromosomal abnormality and the mystery of her daughters chronic illness. Michelle is a wife and mother of three young children: Ellie, Abby, and Max. Professionally, she enjoys teaching math to middle schoolers and in her spare time, she loves to be with her family, especially in Disney World! Michelle is also an advocate for women’s health, especially reproductive freedom. This is partially driven by her personal journey with a chromosomal abnormality, which has affected her ability to have children. She’s also happy to offer support to other families with children with complex medical needs after all she has experienced with her middle child.

Episode Resources:

Eosinophilic esophagitis

United Healthcare Children's Foundation

Campaign Urging Research for Eosinophilic Disease

Michigan Children's Special Health Care Services

⁠Michigan Children's Waiver Program⁠

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 35 of Our Invisible Life, Laura and Kendra talk about perimenopause, menopause, and the symptoms and effects on chronic illness. After discovering that many of her own MS symptoms mimic that of peri-menopause, Laura got very interested in learning more about this stage of life that all women go through. Over the past few months she's been studying and today she shares her discoveries with us.

Episode Resources:

www.joinmidi.com

www.myalloy.com

www.Evernow.com

www.thepauselife.com

www.dexascan.com

www.handexer.com

Instagram Sources:

Dr. Mary Claire Haver - @drmaryclaire

Dr. Vonda Wright - @drvondawright

Dr. Kate White - @drkatewhiteobgyn

Dr. Kelly Casperson - @kellycaspersonmd

Dr. Corinne Menn - @drmennobgyn

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: @our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 34 of Our Invisible Life, Kendra and Laura sit down with Abigail Bell to discuss her decade long struggle with bulimia. Brought on by life's stressors beyond her control and compounded by coming to terms with her sexuality, Abigail discusses how her fight with bulimia began, her struggles to keep it hidden and what pushed her to finally get help.

Abigail works as an experiential designer. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with friends and family. Abigail lives in Huntington Woods with her wife, Shannon, and two children, Finley and Asher.

Episode Resources:

NEDA - National Eating Disorder Association

ANAD - National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Call helpline (888) 375-7767

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 33 of Our Invisible Life podcast Kendra and Laura give life updates including discussing medication, supplements and a compassion course. Then your hosts focus on some of the darker truths of living with chronic illness, discussing losses we've felt because of illness and the losses we fear will occur in the future. We hope this episode will connect with you, our audience, about some realities we don't normally discuss.

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 32 of Our Invisible Life podcast, Kendra and Laura talk with Dr. Elena Borrelli about patient advocacy, what it is, what it can do, and how a private patient advocate could be right for you.

Dr. Elena Borrelli DMSC, MS, PAC, BCPA is the founder of Pathway Patient Advocates. She has over 20 years of experience in the medical field in both clinical and administrative settings and is a board certified patient advocate. Apart from her experience in professional practices, Dr. Borrelli has encountered frustration and discrepancies while personally navigating the health care system. Her passion is to help patients better understand the overwhelmingly confusing medical system. Dr. Borrelli has experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Her main focus is to assist clients who are dealing with chronic conditions, rare disorders, cancer, or undiagnosed symptoms. It is her compassion, experience, and determination that sets Pathway Patient Advocates apart from the rest.

Resources:

https://pathwaypa.com/

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 31 of Our Invisible Life podcast, Laura sits down with Jenny Morgan to talk about her experience with a parent with dementia. Jenny's mother, was a very active person who loved being with family, hanging out with her friends, playing mahjong. She was always the life of the party. For 20 years, she worked as an assistant teacher in a pre-k classroom and loved the little ones! Everywhere she went, families stopped her and told her how much their kids loved her. She was a bright star. Unfortunately, it all changed the day she found out she had dementia.

Dementia Vs. Alzheimer's

Cleveland Clinic - Dementia

Resources for Caregivers - Alzheimers.gov

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74

In Episode 30 of Our Invisible Life podcast, Kendra and Laura sit down with Eric Ambrose to talk about his recent ADHD testing and results. Eric has been teaching middle and high school instrumental music for 16 years and lives with his wife, Teri. Eric plays the bassoon, performs semi-regularly with the Southeast Michigan Wind Ensemble, and has recently started learning to play electric bass. Eric is a self-described "geek", and loves all things Star Wars, Marvel, and gaming.

Having always been a "chronic worrier" and one who struggled with task completion and working memory, Eric decided to get tested at age 39. He was diagnosed with ADHD - Predominantly Inattentive Presentation and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Though still new into his post-diagnosis journey, he shares what life has been like living with ADHD and GAD, and what his next steps may be.

Episode Resources:

Dr. Russell Barkley: https://www.russellbarkley.org/

If you'd like to share your story and discuss living with chronic illness, reach out to us on Instagram or through our email.

Find us on Instagram: our_invisible_life_podcast

Email: ourinvisiblelifepodcast@gmail.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bJteZ9wgTNf6dyUCxkP2R

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/887cd445-8807-4944-82a3-4a1ab237ed74