I’m excited to continue sharing stories as part of our Caretaker Series, a space dedicated to expanding our understanding of the vital role social support systems play throughout the NCS journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Shay and Clancey as they share their lived experiences navigating the complex and often evolving dynamics of caregiving and support. Their conversation offers valuable insights into building and sustaining an effective support system, including the importance of well-organized medical documentation, establishing clear and consistent communication channels, and engaging in difficult but necessary discussions surrounding power of attorney and shared decision-making.

In this episode, we kick off our Caretaker Series, which a true passion project created to better support those who take care of us. You’ll hear Heather and Danny’s story as they share how they worked to understand what was medically happening, how they navigated their NCS journey, and what helped them along the way.

They also offer meaningful insights into what supported them both as a couple and as individuals, ensuring that Heather received the care she needed while Danny, as a caretaker, was supported as well.

In this episode, I offer a brief introduction to what you can expect this season, along with heartfelt gratitude to those who have been here since the very beginning, and to those who found their way here after receiving a difficult, life-altering diagnosis. I truly wish you all the very best as you navigate this journey.

I’m deeply grateful to be able to curate and share this information with you, and I’m excited for all that this season of the podcast will bring to our community. As always, if there are topics or episodes you’d like to hear, please don’t hesitate to reach out; I’d love to hear from you.

Medical Disclaimer

The content shared on this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views, experiences, and opinions expressed are based on personal experience and research and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical care.

I am not a medical doctor, and nothing shared on this podcast should be interpreted as medical guidance. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking care because of something you heard on this podcast.

Listening to this podcast does not establish a patient–provider relationship. Any decisions regarding your health should be made in collaboration with your medical team.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please contact emergency services immediately.

Happy one-year kidney autotransplant anniversary to me! It’s been a whirlwind of a year, and I wanted to take some time to share an honest update: the good, the hard, the healing, and the ongoing. In this episode, I reflect on what recovery has really looked like, what I’ve learned about my body, resilience, vulnerability, and community, and how this experience has reshaped my perspective on health, work, and life. Whether you’ve followed this journey from the beginning or are just tuning in, thank you for being here and for walking alongside me this past year.

Hi, NCS friends! In this episode, I’m sharing my experience with developing an epigastric hernia after my kidney autotransplant. My hope is that this helps normalize the journey for those of you who may need additional surgeries after treating your NCS.

I go into more detail about:

• When I first noticed the hernia

• How I made the decision to move forward with surgery

• The conversations I wish I had with my surgical team beforehand to help reduce the traumatic impact

If you or your loved one has experienced a hernia post-op, feel free to share in the comments. I genuinely believe the current data doesn’t fully reflect how common these can be after abdominal surgeries, especially open-abdominal procedures. Much love to you all!

Hi, my NCS besties! In this episode, I’m sharing a side-by-side look at my best and worst in-patient experiences throughout my Nutcracker Syndrome medical journey. Ten months after my kidney autotransplant, I underwent a hernia repair surgery, which is an issue that developed as a result of my open-abdominal AT. To be clear, this was in no way due to any error by the incredible team at UWHealth in Madison, Wisconsin. Hernias are, unfortunately, a common risk following abdominal surgeries, especially open procedures. Mine appeared around five months post-op, and I eventually proceeded with the repair.

Unfortunately, the in-patient stay following my hernia repair turned out to be the most difficult hospital experience I’ve had, leaving me feeling unexpectedly helpless. In this episode, I break down what happened during that stay and contrast it with what made my best in-patient experience so positive. I also share practical recommendations to help you, and your loved ones, advocate more effectively and potentially avoid similar challenges.

As always, I’m sending you all so much love as you continue navigating this space. You are not alone!

Welcome back! It's been a few month hiatus from a new recording as I have been busy with work + starting a new company, The COPE Center, which is short for The Center for Optimal Psychological Education in Injury & Rehabilitation. Give the site a visit + please know I have not forgotten about you all; I just needed some time to get my feet back under me!

Now, for this episode, recorded on the doorstep of my next surgery, which is a hernia repair and endometriosis excision, I open up about one of the most universally frustrating parts of the American healthcare experience: insurance. From endless phone calls and pre-authorization delays to the emotional toll of waiting for approval just to receive the care you need, this episode explores the hidden stressors that accompany our medical journeys.

As I share my own recent experience navigating an insurance and pre-authorization nightmare leading up to my surgery tomorrow (10/27/2025), my goal is to validate what so many of us feel but rarely talk about: that medical trauma doesn’t begin or end with the procedure itself. It’s woven through every frustrating, exhausting interaction we have with a system that too often forgets we are more than just dollar signs.

If you’ve ever felt unseen or overwhelmed by the bureaucracy that stands between you and your healing, I hope this episode helps you feel a little less alone.

Also, to be clear, this episode isn’t about bashing anyone. It’s about acknowledging the shared struggle on all sides and finding empathy for everyone involved in navigating a system that’s just as overwhelming for those working within it as it is for those trying to access care.

Buckle up and grab your popcorn! I am so stoked for this episode of the NCS podcast because we have an absolutely incredible guest joining us—a true advocate, pioneer, and fellow Nutcracker Syndrome patient. In this episode, Sheri Spain shares what it was like in the early days of getting diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome, navigating a medical world that barely recognized it, and fighting for answers, care, and change. Sheri's story is raw, real, and powerful—and it's one you won’t want to miss. I know I am so appreciative of her and the others in her era that helped pave the way for so many of us today!