Sick and Seeking
Sick and Seeking is hosted by Leslie Field who, after a diagnosis in her late teens of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), has been on a 22-year journey of healing and self-discovery.
In this podcast, Leslie invites you to join her for intimate, honest and heartfelt conversations with others who are also on their own healing journeys as they live with and manage the long-term effects of “dis-ease” in the body.
Listen to the stories of courageous people who, in the face of an uncertain medical future, are on a quest to go deeper into their bodies, beyond symptom and diagnosis—or in some cases no diagnosis—to reach a place of intuitive knowing, healing and transformation.
This podcast is, above all, an exploration in healing and examines a variety of modalities and knowledge from conventional medicine to holistic and complementary therapies that bring a spiritual, psychological and mystical perspective to bodily healing in our modern culture.
Sick and Seeking
E8 S3 |The Journey of a Spoonie Ninja – Tessa Muldoon
In this episode of the Sick and Seeking Podcast, I have an intimate conversation with Tessa Muldoon, also known as the Spoonie Ninja. Tessa shares her inspiring journey through chronic illness, particularly the management of dermatomyositis and other autoimmune diseases. Our discussion explores the emotional complexities of living with invisible illnesses, the impactful role of IVIG treatment, and the significance of self-advocacy and community support. Tessa emphasizes how sharing personal stories can foster connections and promote understanding in the face of chronic health challenges.
Conversation Highlights:
Tessa's Health Journey: Tessa shares her health struggles starting in 2012 with severe itching, leading to her diagnosis of dermatomyositis.
Understanding Invisible Illness: We explore the challenges of living with an invisible illness, often invisible to others.
Transformative IVIG Treatment: Tessa explains how IVIG has significantly improved her quality of life.
The Spoon Theory: This concept is discussed as a useful tool for energy management for those with chronic conditions.
Humor as a Coping Mechanism: The importance of humor in coping with chronic illness is highlighted as a key source of resilience.
Multiple Diagnoses and Impacts: Tessa shares her experience with multiple diagnoses, including congestive heart failure, and links them to her birth defect and autoimmune issues.
The Importance of Advocacy: We talk about how self-advocacy and education empower those managing chronic conditions and promote awareness.
Emotional Impacts on Loved Ones: The emotional strain on families and caregivers is discussed, stressing the significance of supportive networks.
Redefining Independence and Empowerment: Tessa emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in empowering individuals in the chronic illness community.
Creating Community through Storytelling: Sharing personal stories fosters a sense of belonging and mitigates isolation.
Quotes:
"IVIG is life-saving."
"It's like liquid gold."
"I had to be very intentional about protecting my energy."
"My goal is to help at least one person."
Connect with Tessa:
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