Advanced Directives and Advocacy: Jenna Swanson's Journey with Chronic Illness

Join resilient nurse Jenna Swanson as she battles Vesicoureteral Reflux and Chronic Kidney Disease, advocating for self-care and self-advocacy amidst the trauma and isolation of living with chronic illness.

My special guest is Jenna Swanson

Jenna Swanson is a loving mother of two who has been living with chronic illness since childhood. She was born with congenital chronic renal failure, which has led to multiple surgeries and issues with her bladder. Jenna has bravely faced these challenges and inspired her to advocate for organ donation and palliative care. As an expert in coping with chronic illness, she is eager to share her experiences and strategies that have helped her maintain emotional resilience and become a strong self-advocate for her health care needs.

This is Jenna Swanson's story:

For Jenna Swanson, living with chronic illness has been a lifelong reality. Diagnosed with congenital renal failure at birth, she has faced countless surgeries, hospital stays, and setbacks that have only served to strengthen her resilience. Throughout these challenges, Jenna found comfort and inspiration in the unwavering support of her nurses, leading her to become a registered nurse herself. Now a mother of two, Jenna is acutely aware of her own mortality and the significance of advocating for organ donation. Despite the numerous hurdles she continues to face daily, Jenna remains a beacon of determination and hope. She encourages others in similar situations to accept and embrace their circumstances, use their insight to advocate for themselves and others, and learn to process their grief and trauma in a healthier way.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:00 - Introduction,

00:05:08 - Advanced Directives and Organ Donation,

00:10:40 - Living with Chronic Illness and Mortality,

00:12:29 - Grief and Family,

00:13:49 - Childhood Trauma and Postpartum Depression,

00:17:28 - Advocating for Your Health,

00:18:30 - Living with Chronic Illness,

00:22:40 - Nursing with Chronic Illness,

00:27:16 - Pregnancy and Chronic Illness,

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