Jamie's Dream Team
PodcastDX
Jamie Holmes-Ward was born with a rare condition known as V.A.T.E.R Syndrome. The Cleveland Clinic says: VATER syndrome, also known as VACTERL association, is a complex condition that affects several parts of the body. VATER (VACTERL) is an acronym that stands for the affected parts of the body including the vertebrae, anus, heart, trachea, esophagus, kidney and limbs. Treatment is symptomatic and unique for each person diagnosed with the condition. Jamie is here to tell her story of overcoming obstacles with grace and creating a nonprofit to help children lift their spirits as...
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Bullying and Mental Health
PodcastDX
This week we discuss bullying with our guest Chelsey Peat. Chelsey is an advocate for those with facial differences due to Sturge Weber Syndrome. A person that looks different is a prime target for bullies. Bullying is often seen as a schoolyard issue, but its impact on mental health extends into adulthood. Bullied children face increased risks of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, with effects that can last a lifetime. Impact of Bullying Bullying occurs when a child uses physical or social power to hurt another. In the short term, it can cause anxiety,...
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EDS & Gut Dysmotility
PodcastDX
This week we will discuss the most common type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – the hypermobile type (hEDS, formerly also described as EDS type III or joint hypermobility syndrome), this is the type that most commonly presents to gastroenterology services. As connective tissue is present throughout the body, many different structures around the body including the digestive tract can be affected by EDS. Connective tissue is present in the digestive tract and is essential to the passive mechanical movements needed to complete digestion. It has been suggested that any abnormalities in the...
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Gut Dysmotility & Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
PodcastDX
This week we will discuss the most common type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome – the hypermobile type (hEDS, formerly also described as EDS type III or joint hypermobility syndrome), this is the type that most commonly presents to gastroenterology services. As connective tissue is present throughout the body, many different structures around the body including the digestive tract can be affected by EDS. Connective tissue is present in the digestive tract and is essential to the passive mechanical movements needed to complete digestion. It has been suggested that any abnormalities in the...
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Ketamine for Depression
PodcastDX
This week we will discuss the use of Ketamine for treating Depression. Our guest for this week's show is Karen DeCocker, DNP, PMHNP, CNM Karen DeCocker is the Director of Advanced Practice Providers at Stella overseeing the assessment team. She helps to identify which innovative biological medical treatments & virtual therapies can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD & traumatic brain injury. After completing a virtual assessment of each patient, Dr. DeCocker and her team analyze the medical, biological, psychological & social factors to provide...
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Complex Illness
PodcastDX
On this week's show we are speaking once again with Kristine Hoestermann, the founder of "" and she will be explaining how difficult it has been to get a diagnosis for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and where that diagnosis took her (Brittle Cornea Syndrome & the BRCA Gene for Breast Cancer are the latest two) During our discussion I mentioned how I picture complex diagnoses as being like an over-spooled fishing reel, you don't know where to start to unravel the different aspects of the condition, but you know it's all connected! Heeeeere's Kristine! Allow me to introduce...
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The Microbiome
PodcastDX
Your gut microbiome is like a microscopic ecosystem within your body, housing trillions of microorganisms that interact with each other and their environment in various ways. These microbes also have a significant impact on your overall health, influencing both your digestive system and other bodily functions. A biome is a distinct ecosystem defined by its environment and inhabitants. Your gut, specifically within your intestines, is a miniature biome teeming with trillions of microscopic organisms. This diverse community includes over a thousand species of bacteria, along with viruses,...
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S17E13 Sturge-Weber Syndrome
PodcastDX
This week we will discuss Sturge-Weber syndrome with a wonderful woman we had the pleasure of meeting previously in Chelsey Peat was born with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare condition that led to multiple surgeries, including a life-saving brain surgery as an infant. Despite doctors predicting significant limitations, Chelsey has defied these expectations throughout her life. She graduated from high school and college, and she is currently pursuing a degree in sociology alongside a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With nearly 40 years of personal experience living with a facial...
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BiPolar
PodcastDX
Paris Scobie is a Mental Health Speaker, Host of the top 1% globally ranked podcast, , & Best-Selling Author of her memoir, . Paris launched Live Well Bipolar to use her lived experience to help others overcome the shame, fear and isolation that can so often accompany living with bipolar. She shares how she went from being a patient struggling from inside the walls of a psychiatric hospital newly diagnosed with bipolar to returning to work at this same hospital years later. This unique perspective has allowed Paris to share her experiences on what truly made a difference for her...
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Common Variable Immunodeficiency
PodcastDX
Today, we have the honor of speaking once again with Sheila Ames, a registered nurse in Northern California who has been diagnosed with a rare type of a primary immunodeficiency known as common variable immunodeficiency or CVID for short. How did she fare during the recent Pandemic? Tune in now to find out! At the time of her diagnosis she was working as an ICU nurse and her first doctors order was: no more exposure to infectious patients. This diagnosis not only changed her career dramatically, it led her to following her life's purpose in opening her own health & wellness...
info_outlineOn this week's episode we are running a rare re-run on the aftermath of 9/11.
The tragic events of September 11, 2001, remain etched in the collective memory of not only Americans but also people worldwide. Beyond the immediate devastation, the aftermath of the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks brought forth an enduring health crisis among those who selflessly rushed to aid their fellow citizens. First responders, the courageous individuals who braved the smoke, debris, and toxic fumes of Ground Zero, now face a formidable foe: cancer. This essay delves into the harrowing issue of cancers among first responders as a result of their heroic work at the World Trade Center on 9/11.
The Heroic Sacrifice
On that fateful Tuesday morning in 2001, first responders raced against time to rescue victims, provide medical aid, and extinguish fires at Ground Zero. Their unwavering commitment to their duty and fellow citizens was nothing short of heroic. However, in their pursuit of saving lives and clearing the wreckage, these valiant individuals unwittingly subjected themselves to a hazardous environment, the consequences of which continue to haunt them.
The Toxic Fallout
The collapse of the Twin Towers released a vast plume of dust and debris, laden with a toxic cocktail of chemicals and substances. This included asbestos, lead, dioxins, and various carcinogens. The first responders breathed in these harmful particles, exposing themselves to long-term health risks. Moreover, the fires at Ground Zero burned for months, releasing even more hazardous pollutants into the air, further endangering the health of those on the front lines.
The Alarming Statistics
Over the years, an alarming number of first responders have fallen victim to cancer. The statistics are sobering, with many developing rare and aggressive forms of the disease. A study conducted by the World Trade Center Health Program in 2020 revealed that cancer has become a leading cause of death among 9/11 first responders. The incidence of certain cancers, such as prostate, thyroid, and multiple myeloma, among this group is significantly higher than in the general population.
The Struggle for Recognition and Assistance
First responders who survived the immediate aftermath of 9/11 are now faced with another daunting battle – the fight for recognition and assistance. Many of these heroes have struggled to receive adequate medical care and compensation for their illnesses. The process of proving that their cancer is linked to their exposure at Ground Zero can be arduous, and the burden of proof often falls on the shoulders of the afflicted.
Legislation such as the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act has provided some relief by establishing healthcare programs and compensation for affected individuals. However, the fight for ongoing support and comprehensive healthcare continues, as the prevalence of cancer cases among first responders only grows.
The Psychological Toll
Beyond the physical health challenges, the psychological toll on first responders cannot be understated. Witnessing the loss of colleagues and experiencing the long-term health impacts has led to significant mental health struggles within this community. Many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety, adding to the already burdensome weight of their physical ailments.
The cancers afflicting the first responders who valiantly served at the World Trade Center on 9/11 represent a tragic and enduring consequence of that fateful day. These individuals sacrificed their health and well-being in the pursuit of saving lives and aiding their fellow citizens. As a society, it is our moral duty to recognize their sacrifice, provide them with the necessary medical care and support, and continue research to better understand and combat the long-term health effects of their selfless actions. The cancers among first responders of 9/11 are a stark reminder that their heroism should never be forgotten, and their needs should always be a priority.