My Invisible Disease

By: Jenny Nicoll and Kassy Draper
  • Summary

  • The mental, the emotional, and the spiritual side of living with chronic illness and invisible disease. Hosts, Jenny Nicoll and Kassy Draper, longtime friends and young moms share their experience while in the trenches with symptoms and side effects of chronic illness. Jenny’s wait for transplant and Kassy’s journey to diagnosis inspired the podcast where they interview guests and discuss hacks to keep their heads above water. They see you, and your own struggle with your own invisible disease. And the challenges of balancing motherhood, managing a household, family, and career! Not all days are good and sometimes you don’t make it out of bed, or struggle to make it through the week. With a focus on mindset and a positive perspective, they strive to create a community where mamas can come together and be seen for more than their invisible disease.
    Jenny Nicoll and Kassy Draper
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Episodes
  • Living with Lupus and The Impact of Invisible Diseases on Mental Health - with Amanda Chay
    Nov 26 2023
    Amanda, a resilient and determined advocate for invisible diseases, embarks on a mission to shatter misconceptions, forge connections, and reclaim her identity amidst the isolating journey of chronic illness. She has firsthand experience living with lupus, an incurable autoimmune disease. After going undiagnosed for 21 years, Amanda has gained a deep understanding of the challenges that come with seeking a diagnosis and navigating the early years of living with an invisible disease. She recently released a book called "The Girlfriend's Guide to Lupus" and is dedicated to sharing her experiences and offering support to others in similar situations. Amanda's journey is not only inspiring but also sheds light on the impact of invisible diseases on mental health. Her story serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, it is possible to find hope and support within a community of understanding individuals. https://amandachay.com/ Link to Book The Girlfriend's Guide to Lupus We often live a reactive lifestyle when it comes to our health, but being preventative and taking care of ourselves early on can make a significant difference in our well-being. - Amanda Chay BioAmanda Chay is an author, entrepreneur, and lifelong health nut who has helped countless businesses and individuals put their health first. With a master's degree in counseling and as the owner of a stress reduction and mindfulness training company, Amanda brings a wealth of expertise to her work. She is a member of the University of North Carolina Lupus Stakeholder Advisory Board and is a Lupus Foundation of American external affairs committee member for NC. When she’s not planning her next travel adventure with her daughters and husband, she’s drinking jasmine tea, teaching yoga, and giving book suggestions to anyone willing to listen. Learn more at AmandaChay.com. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover strategies for managing chronic illness and living a fulfilling life. Learn the importance of community support in navigating the challenges of invisible diseases. Explore the impact of invisible diseases on mental health and ways to prioritize self-care. Find inspiration and encouragement from others who have built supportive communities despite their invisible diseases. Gain insight into the unique challenges of living with invisible diseases and how to overcome them. Understand the importance of advocating for yourself and finding the right support system. Find validation and understanding as you hear stories from individuals who share your experiences. Importance of community support Community support plays a crucial role in navigating chronic illnesses. It offers a platform for sharing experiences, enhancing understanding, and cultivating validation for the daily struggles with invisible diseases. This support is vital for empowering individuals with chronic illnesses, helping them feel less alone, and providing a network of understanding that extends beyond their immediate environment. The resources mentioned in this episode are: Visit our website to listen to the full episode of the Invisible Disease podcast featuring Amanda Chay.Check out Amanda Chay's book, The Girlfriend's Guide to Lupus, for valuable insights and advice on living with lupus. If you suspect you may have an autoimmune disease like lupus, don't hesitate to seek medical advice and get a proper diagnosis.Take preventative measures to maintain your health, such as getting regular exercise, managing stress, and eating a balanced diet.If you're experiencing joint pain or other symptoms, consult with a rheumatologist or specialist to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan.Consider the impact of past traumas on your overall health and seek support or counseling if needed.Be mindful of the potential psychological impact of chronic illness and take steps to prioritize self-care and mental well-being.
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    42 mins
  • Living with Ulcerative Colitis: Saffron Cassady's Documentary Explores Fecal Transplantation
    Nov 13 2023

    Get ready to meet Saffron Cassady, a talented filmmaker and an incredible woman who has been living with ulcerative colitis since her early twenties. With her background in filmmaking, Saffron took her personal experiences with chronic illness and turned them into a powerful documentary. She dives deep into the world of alternative treatments for ulcerative colitis, shining a spotlight on the intriguing and somewhat unconventional practice of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Saffron's storytelling skills and her own journey with ulcerative colitis make her the perfect guest for this episode. Her documentary is not only informative, but also entertaining, capturing the struggles and triumphs of living with a chronic illness. Prepare to be inspired and educated by Saffron's incredible story and her dedication to raising awareness about FMT as a potential treatment option.

    "I think it changes your identity that you have of yourself...It was really hard to kind of come to terms with that new identity that had been placed on myself." - Saffron Cassady

    Wide Release: November 14, 2023

    https://www.designershitdocumentary.com/

    https://www.instagram.com/designershtdocumentary/


    In this episode, you will be able to:

    • Understand the hidden challenges of living with invisible diseases and chronic illnesses.
    • Discover the potential of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) as a groundbreaking treatment option.
    • Explore a compelling documentary that explores alternative treatments for chronic illnesses.
    • Uncover the psychological impact of living with chronic illness and find strategies for resilience.Learn how to build a supportive healthcare team and become an advocate for your own well-being.

    The resources mentioned in this episode are:

    • Watch Saffron's documentary: Check out Saffron's documentary on alternative treatments for chronic illness. The documentary is entertaining and captures the journey of women living with invisible diseases.
    • Explore FMT (Fecal Microbiota Transplant) treatment: Learn more about FMT, a treatment where someone else's poop is transplanted into the body, by watching Saffron's documentary or doing your own research.
    • Consider out-of-the-box treatments: If you're living with a chronic illness and feeling desperate, explore alternative treatments beyond conventional Western medicine. Saffron's documentary showcases some of these out-of-the-box options.


    Saffron Cassaday - Director/Subject

    Saffron Cassaday was born in Toronto and traveled to New York City immediately after

    completing high school to pursue acting at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film

    Institute. Upon returning to Toronto, she continued to cultivate her acting skills, appearing in 15

    feature films and 2 TV series, while working as an assistant director and editor on several online,

    TV and corporate projects.

    In 2014 Saffron directed her first documentary feature film called "Cyber-Seniors". The film

    screened at 14 film festivals (winning Audience Choice at the High Falls Film Festival), and

    played to packed houses in over 500 communities. Cyber-Seniors was nominated for Best

    Foreign Trailer - Golden Trailer Awards - 2014, and for the American Library Association Notable

    Videos for Adults - 2016. Saffron has received well over 200 accolades for the film and her work,

    several coming from the most prestigious media outlets in North America including the New

    York Times, LA Times, Village Voice and Hollywood Reporter. The film has been broadcast in 40

    countries including on PBS, Netflix and CBC in North America. Cyber-Seniors has also inspired a

    social campaign, which to date has reached over 800 million individuals through events,

    traditional media and social media, and is supported by over 900 partners including AARP

    foundation, Best Buy foundation, Consumer Technology Association, CVS, Senior Corp, TELUS,

    BlueCrossBlueShield Mn, and hundreds of other organizations throughout the United States and

    Canada.



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    37 mins
  • Living with Lyme Disease and the Power of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition: Meet Heather Gray
    Sep 5 2023
    Unlocking the Hidden Secrets of Your Health: The Power of Functional Testing with Heather Gray


    Struggling with relentless health issues that seemed to have no cure, Heather Gray's life was a constant battle. From Lyme disease at 13 to severe neurological problems, she felt abandoned by the Western medicine system. But just when she thought all hope was lost, a chance encounter with a podcast introduced her to a revolutionary concept – functional testing. Through this alternative approach, Heather discovered surprising and life-changing insights about her health, from hidden food sensitivities to hidden heavy metals. Join us in this inspiring journey as we delve into the unexpected twist that led Heather to finally understand her body, leaving us all wondering: What other hidden truths could functional testing reveal?

    In this episode, you will be able to:

    • Unearth the importance of functional testing for a holistic assessment of your health.
    • Understand how food sensitivities can significantly disrupt hormonal balance.
    • Identify the subtle signs of mold toxicity and its detrimental effects on health.
    • Grasp the power of healthy foundations to enhance your overall well-being.
    • Empower yourself with effective self-care strategies to take charge of your health journey.

    Heather Gray is a renowned Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner who has rightfully earned herself the title of Lyme Boss. Navigating through her own health trials, she discovered the significance of functional medicine, witnessing a tremendous transformation in her own life. With a mission to help others, her expertise lies in utilizing functional lab work to pinpoint the root causes of health issues rather than just treating the symptoms. Heather’s personal journey spans from dealing with autoimmune diseases, Lyme disease, to overcoming serious mental health challenges. Her real-life experiences have imparted empathy and a unique understanding of holistic health in her role as a healthcare professional.

    To book an appointment, purchase my book, or check out my YouTube, Website, or other social media please click here

    https://thelymeboss.com/
    https://linktr.ee/thelymeboss

    The key moments in this episode are:
    00:00:00 - Heather's Health Journey,

    00:07:51 - Becoming Your Own Health Advocate,

    00:10:34 - Discovering Functional Diagnostic Nutrition,

    00:11:35 - The Value of FDN,

    00:12:24 - Heather's Personal Experience with FDN,

    00:13:57 - Importance of Functional Testing,

    00:16:40 - Personal Journey and Peeling Back Layers,

    00:19:23 - Evaluating Mold in Your Environment,

    00:23:17 - Starting Point for Healing,

    00:26:05 - The Power of Breath Work,

    00:27:38 - Importance of Free Breathing Exercises,

    00:29:12 - Heather's Tried and True Self-Care Practices,

    00:30:45 - Frustrations with Misunderstandings of Gluten-Free Diets,

    00:34:03 - Issues with Food Standards and Organic Products



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    Connect with us here:

    Website: https://myinvisibledisease.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/https://www.ychannel/UC84nwpRzu-EzBtz7Z7Yz6zw

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/MyInvisibeDis

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/myinvisibledisease

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myinvisiblediseasepodcast/

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    43 mins

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