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!

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, we’re learning from one of our own—Kat—as she shares key insights from her personal journey, including:

• Her second IVUS experience: what it was like being awake vs. fully sedated, the pros and cons of each approach, and the benefits of seeking a second opinion from Dr. Peter Stratil

• Why renal angioplasty can be a viable treatment option for NCS that many don't know about

• How endometriosis, not May-Thurner Syndrome, was the main source of her pelvic pain

The road to an NCS diagnosis can be long and filled with exhausting testing to determine whether major surgery is truly the right step. Kat’s story offers not only clarity, but also empowerment. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone and more informed.

Welcome back to the NCS Podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful and personal story from one of our own—Lilly. She shares her journey living with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) alongside vascular compressions—specifically May-Thurner Syndrome (MTS) and Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS).

MCAS is a complex and often misunderstood condition, and for many in our community, it presents as a comorbidity that can make an already challenging path even harder. Lilly opens up about:

• The specific symptoms that led her to suspect something more was going on

• The diagnostic process she went through to finally get answers

• The medications, supplements, and strategies she currently uses to manage her MCAS

While MCAS can be a life-long condition, Lilly’s story is one of resilience and empowerment. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, we hope this episode helps you feel less alone and more informed.

Below is additional information Lilly shared during the episode to support your journey navigating MCAS and vascular compressions:

• Phone Application: InTolerApp
• Test to request: Tryptase (blood) & 24-hr urine collection
• Medications: Cromolyn Sodium 10mg (prescription), Pepcid AC, multivitamin, and Clartin or Zyrtex (OTC)

• Supplements: DAO enzyme, vitamin C
• Cookbooks: Search "low histamine diet cookbooks" to find different recipes that appeal to you
• Article: Kirk, C. (2023). The Important Role of the Lymphatic System and Mast Cell Involvement in Nutcracker Syndrome and other Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndromes

In this episode of the NCS Podcast, I'm joined by guest Kat Weissner to discuss her experience with the Marcaine test at UCHealth. We explore what the Marcaine test is, why someone might undergo this procedure, what to expect during the process, and important questions to ask your doctor to help ensure the test is effective for you. We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, and I hope it brings value to your NCS journey.

If you have any questions or would like to share your own story, feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you so much for listening!