The Silent Battle

Today’s episode is going to be very bitter sweet. I've come to the decision very hard decision that I am going to take a step back from podcasting! Thank you for all the support of my listeners from the bottom of my heart!

Today ,I will be interviewing pharmacist Rachel Chelewski who is a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist for the Vanderbilt Transplant Pharmacy. She is here to speak to us regarding some of our medications we take and give us some tips on how to make life easier while taking these medications.This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon.Donations to the podcast are gladly accepted through Cashapp or PayPal.Life is Tough But So Are You!Enjoy! :)

Today, I will be interviewing a very special lady named Holly Kroeze. Holly is 24 years post double lung transplant! YES 24 YEARS YAY!! She received her double lung transplant in 2001 from University of San Francisco California. I definitely consider her a walking angel on earth. She is going to share her story regarding what led to her to needing a double lung transplant and how she is doing today!This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon.Donations to the podcast are gladly accepted through Cashapp or PayPal.Life is Tough But So Are You!Enjoy! :)

Today I will be interviewing Luther Brown JR from St. Augustine, FL.Luther has a very rare autoimmune disease called Antisynthetase Syndrome (A.S.S). Today, he is going to share his raw and candid story about his journey with (A.S.S) and how he manages his symptoms. Also, he will give us some tips if he has any on what may help you all out there to live life more easily as we battle our diseases.This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon.Donations to the podcast are gladly accepted through Cashapp or PayPal.Life is Tough But So Are You!Enjoy! :)

Today I will be interviewing Lisa Coscia who is the senior research coordinator for The Transplant Pregnancy Registry International, which is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA.The Transplant Pregnancy Registry International studies the outcomes of pregnancies in any solid organ transplant recipient worldwide. This is going to be a great segment for ladies like myself who are post-lung transplanted and who often have concerns, questions, or just wonder about the outcomes of pregnancy after being transplanted.I do have a brochure I can forward you and the latest TPRI report on organ pregnancy outcomes I can forward to anyone that would like to request them from me. This episode is posted on Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, and The Silent Battle Facebook page.Donations to the podcast are always greatly appreciated.Life is Tough But so are YOU!XOXO Erica :)

Today, I will be interviewing April Meade. April is from Maryland, and she has Interstitial Lung Disease that was brought on by the autoimmune mixed connective tissue disease.She has been battling ILD since 2018. She has completed her pre transplant work up at INOVA Fairfax hospital pulmonary transplant clinic in Virginia. She is currently waiting now for her case to be presented to the board so she can be listed for new lungs.This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon.Donations to the podcast are gladly accepted through Cashapp or PayPal.Life is Tough But So Are You!Enjoy! :)

Today, I will be interviewing social worker Taylor Riggsbee. Today’s segment is very important and much needed for people who are chronically ill because we often times are so focused on our physical health, and we tend to forget the importance of our mental health which is not good because our mental health is just as important as our physical health.This episode is aired on Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon. I can be reached at [email protected], Life is Tough But So are You!

Today I will be interviewing my friend and Vanderbilt Medical Centerrespiratory therapist Ashley Wright. I asked Ashley to come on here today and talk withyou all about the importance of respiratory care when you are facing lung disease, lung transplant, or autoimmune diseases that affect your lungs. Also, I am sure she will have some good tips for us on how to keep our lungs as healthy as possible.This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon.Thank you to all of my listeners for your continued support.(Donations for the podcast are always appreciated and accepted through paypal or cashapp )

March is National Kidney Month.Today I have asked kidney warrior Chandler Jackson from Macon, GA to be apart of The Silent Battle podcast to share his journey regarding his battle with Lupus and Kidney Failure/ Dialysis.This podcast is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon.Chandler's journey regarding his battle with his kidney failure is shared openly by him on Tik Tok.Life is Tough But So Are You!

Today ,I will be interviewing physical therapist, Chris Turner.Chris and I met at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. I was actually a patient of his when I was in the hospital recovering from my double lung transplant surgery. I asked him to come on here today and share with us the benefits and importance of physical therapy after having major surgery.This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon. If you have questions or comments or interested in being part of The Silent Battle Podcast, please email me at [email protected]

Today, I would like to introduce you all too Alaina Muckell.Alaina is a good friend of mine who resides in Newton, Connecticut. Alaina was born with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Alaina and I met in Durham, NC at Duke University Hospital about 7 years ago. We both needed transplants, but I wasn’t as sick as she was at the time we met. I was just beginning my process of seeking out a lung transplant center that would be right for me, however Alaina had chosen Duke and was on their list and awaiting her new lungs at the time we met.Alaina received her new precious lungs in 2018 ,6 years ago, and she is doing phenomenal! So today, she is going to share with you all some facts about CF and what it's like being a CF patient .She will also be talking about her lung transplant journey.This episode is aired on Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon. If you have questions or comments or interested in being part of The Silent Battle Podcast, please email me at [email protected]

Happy New Year!Welcome back to The Silent Battle Podcast Season 4!I am your host Erica Honeycutt! I am excited to reconnect with you all!If you all have anything you would like me to share on the podcast this season please let me know or if you have any topic ideas please let me know!Please email me at [email protected] or message me on my Facebook page The Silent Battle. Podcast.Have a great day! :)

Today, I will be interviewing Heather MacKenzie. Heather is originally from Detroit, Michigan, however she resides in Denver, Colorado. She was diagnosed with Acute and Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Her condition is very rare and is shared only by 2 to 3 people in 100,000 each year.Today, Heather is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis which is a form of Interstitial Lung Disease and how she manages her symptoms.(Please like and share what you hear. The Silent Battle Podcast is aired on Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, and Google Podcast. Donations to The Silent Battle Podcast through cashapp or paypal are greatly appreciated as well)Thank you!

Today, I will be interviewing Heather MacKenzie. Heather is originally from Detroit, Michigan, however she resides in Denver, Colorado. She was diagnosed with Acute and Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Her condition is very rare and is shared only by 2 to 3 people in 100,000 each year. Today, Heather is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis which is a form of Interstitial Lung Disease and how she manages her symptoms.

Today I will be interviewing Heather MacKenzie. Heather is originally from Detroit, Michigan, however she resides in Denver, Colorado. She was diagnosed with Acute and Chronic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Her condition is very rare and is shared only by 2 to 3 people in 100,000 each year.

Today, I will be interviewing Cheryl Jackson. Cheryl is originally from Gainesville, FL, however she currently resides in Murfreesboro, TN. She was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). Her rheumatologist later discovered that her IPF came from the autoimmune disease Myositis (which is very similar to Lupus).As Cheryl’s disease progressed, she underwent a double lung transplant in February of 2021. Today, she is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with pulmonary fibrosis and how she managed her symptoms and her journey with lung transplant.(Please like and share what you hear. The Silent Battle Podcast is aired on Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, and Google Podcast. Donations to The Silent Battle Podcast through cashapp or paypal are greatly appreciated as well)Thank you!

Today, I will be interviewing Deb Schroeder. Deb is originally from California, but she has been living in Utah for the past 30 years and she has RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis )Interstitial Lung Disease.Today, she is going to share with us her raw and candid story about her journey with RA ILD and how she manages her symptoms. Also, she will give us some tips if she has any on what may help you all out there to live life more easily as we battle our lung and autoimmune diseases.

Today, I will be interviewing Dr. William Schaffner. Dr. Schaffner is Professor of Preventive Medicine with a primary appointment in the Department of Health Policy as well as Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee. I asked him to come on the podcast to discuss illnesses that can be potentially transferred to immunocompromised people from our pets.

Today I will be interviewing Robin Fountain who is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration. I know a lot of you out there have had a lot of questions surrounding applying for disability and the process of getting Medicare. So, Robin is here today to help answer some of these general questions. Below I have also listed some important helpful links to information online on the ssa.gov website she shared .If you like what you hear, like and share. The Silent Battle Podcast is aired on Pandora, Spotify, Amazon, and Google Podcast. Donations to The Silent Battle Podcast through cashapp or paypal are greatly appreciated as wellThank you and Enjoy!Compassionate Allowances:Compassionate Allowances Website Home Page | SSASocial Security DisabilityDisability | SSASupplemental Security Income (SSI)Supplemental Security Income (SSI) | SSAMedicarePlan for Medicare | SSATicket to Work:What is Social Security's Ticket to Work Program? | Choose Work! - Ticket to Work - Social Security (ssa.gov)Your Ticket to Work (July 2020) (ssa.gov)Field Office Locator:Field Office Locator | SSADisability Starter Kit:Adult Disability Starter Kit (ssa.gov)Working While Disabled: How We Can HelpWorking While Disabled: How We Can Help (ssa.gov)Social Security Disability Benefits – Number of Credits Needed for Disability BenefitsBenefits Planner | Social Security Credits and Benefit Eligibility | SSAmy Social Security Accountmy Social Security | SSA

Today ,I will be interviewing a special friend of mine ,Lisa Ezell ,from Murfreesboro, TN. Lisa's husband ,Eddie Ezell, was diagnosed with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis) with unknown origins. Eddie received a double lung transplant in September of 2022, and Lisa was his primary caregiver. Today, she is going to shed some light on what it is like to take on the role of being a primary caregiver to someone who has had or is going to have a double lung transplant .The Silent Battle Podcast is aired on Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, and Google Podcast. If you like what you hear like, subscribe, share. Donations are greatly appreciated as well. Thanks and Enjoy!

The Month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Therefore, today I will be interviewing licensed master social worker and behavioral health therapist Shawn Daniels. This segment is very important and much needed for people who are chronically ill because we often times are so focused on our physical health, and we tend to forget the importance of our mental health which is not good because our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Shawn will be talking to us today about the importance of mental health and how to seek counseling if needed. If you like what you hear like, share and donate . Thank you all for your support!

Today, I will be interviewing a friend of mine and chief meteorologist for Nashville News 2 , Danielle Breezy.Danielle and I met at a Lung Force Walk for the Nashville American Lung Association a few years back. She is a huge advocate for lung disease /lung cancer. Today she is going to share with us how she feels regarding the importance of the fight against lung disease/lung cancer.

Today, I will be interviewing Sunil Kokal. Sunil resides near Toronto, Canada ,and was initially diagnosed with Non Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP).Sunil is going to share his raw and candid story about his journey with ILD and how he manages his symptoms. Also, he will give us some tips if he has any on what may help you all out there to live life more easily as we battle our diseases.

Today, I will be interviewing a friend of mine, Annabelle Kim. Annabelle is from Los Angeles, California, however she resides in Edmonds, Washington.Annabelle was diagnosed with autoimmune lung related interstitial lung disease and pulmonary fibrosis in February of 2023 in her third trimester of her pregnancy. However, on February 7th of this year at the University of Washington, she got approved to receive a double lung transplant.Today, she is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with ILD and how she manages her symptoms and also share how she is feeling awaiting a double lung transplant.

Today I will be interviewing Nikkie Foster from Dayton, Ohio. Nikkie was diagnosed with Non Specific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP) back in December of 2015. However, in January of 2020 she received the most precious gift, two new lungs from a selfless donor. Nikkie is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with NSIP and how she managed her symptoms and also share how she is feeling now since receiving her double lung transplant!( Donations towards The Silent Battle Podcast to support operating cost are greatly appreciated )

Today I will be interviewing Dr. Victor Thannickal. Dr. Thannickal is a Professor of Medicine and the Harry B. Greenberg Chair in the Department of Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine. He has also served on the faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Michigan, and Tufts University School of Medicine, where he completed his fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.Dr. Thannickal’s research is focused on cellular and molecular mechanisms of lung repair and regeneration that will lead to new and more effective treatments for pulmonary fibrosis.

Today, I will be interviewing Cherie Acosta. Cherie resides in Houston, TX ,and she battles Sjogrens, RA, Raynaud’s, Interstitial Cystitis, and Morphea. She is a retired costume design professor, and she completed an exhibit called Beautiful Affliction that looks at the invisibility of disease (autoimmune disease) through visual arts .The exhibit was in the Houston Health Museum ,New York, and Paris France. Below is a link to view the exhibit. Enjoy!https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=xYPK2F0U7cs&fbclid=IwAR2Gg8hVPnJYz6wG9gMuRC3xM-EU7rcVuH_1gVo0VMvtb2xEu65Lg_2QdLs

Today, I will be interviewing Joseph Thompson. Joseph is from Elmwood, TN, however he resides in Carthage ,TN. He was diagnosed with Desquamative Interstitial Pneumonia which is a form of Interstitial Lung Disease and was later re diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.. As Joseph’s disease progressed he ended up needing a double lung transplant. So ,on November 19,2023 , he received two new lungs from a selfless donor, and he is here today to share his story and give us an update on how he is doing.

Welcome back to another episode of The Silent Battle! I hope everyone is having a great week so far! I’m really excited for this segment today! Again, I am your host Erica Honeycutt, and today I would like to welcome back Beth Gorman from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts to the podcast. Beth was on my podcast in May of this year. She had Interstitial Lung Disease caused by hypersensitivity pneumonitis which happens in some people after they breathe in certain substances in the environment, such as mold or the skin cells shed by animals with fur. She was also awaiting a double lung transplant. However, on August 25th of this year she received two new lungs from a selfless donor and she is here today to give us an update on how she’s doing now!

Today, I will be interviewing certified health coach, Stefanie Foster Freeman. Stefanie is from Norwich, Connecticut and currently resides in Moyock,NC. She has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimoto’s, Psoriatic Arthritis, and Celiac Disease. She is going to talk with us about how she has managed her autoimmune diseases with an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. Her website is https://steffreeman.com/ She also has written two books and the links to those books are listed below!Life's A Journey, Are You Packed?: Living and Thriving with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis https://a.co/d/1jz7pwK Life's A Journey, Who Am I?: A Memoir https://a.co/d/hGxVJhe

I am your host Erica Honeycutt and today I wanted to talk with you all about Healthy Lung Month which is this month (October 2023). Today's article being read is from National Today . The link is https://nationaltoday.com/healthy-lung-month/#why-we-love . Enjoy!

Today I will be interviewing my friend and registered dietitian and board certified specialist in obesity and weight management, Bobbie Marie Gregg.She is going to share with us some good tips on becoming more healthy and how to shed those unwanted pounds with diet and exercise.

Today I will be interviewing Rena Scudder from Murfreesboro, TN.Mrs. Scudder’s son John was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2016. However, in 2018 he was told he would need a double lung transplant. In 2020, he received the most precious gift, two new lungs from a selfless donor. Mrs. Scudder was John’s primary caregiver during his double lung transplant process. Today, she is going to share with us what it was like being John’s primary caregiver and shed some light onto the role of being a primary caregiver to someone who has had a double lung transplant.

Dr. Erasmus is the Medical Director of the Lung Transplant Program at The Vanderbilt Lung Institute at Vanderbilt Medical Center Hospital. He is part of the Vanderbilt Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. He will be sharing some great information about lung transplant today!

Today, I will be interviewing Gail Frost, the National Director of Donor Relations of The American Lung Association. She will be sharing a lot of wonderful information such as the goal of the ALA , how to get involved , and how the ALA is beneficial to people with lung disease etc.

Today, I will be interviewing Echieko . Echieko is from Pittsburg, PA and she has Lupus and Interstitial Lung Disease. She also has been dealing with long term side effects from Covid and has severe Asthma. She is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with Lupus and ILD and how she manages her symptoms.

Today, I will be interviewing Elizabeth Morgan. Elizabeth is from Austin, Texas and is battling Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with (MS) and how she manages her symptoms.

Today, I will be interviewing Troy Warren from Las Vegas, Nevada. Troy has an autoimmune disease called Neurosarcodosis. His body is attacking his cranial nerves. The left side of his face is paralyzed with his eyelid closed and his right eye is locked in a permanent position. Today, he is going to share his raw and candid story about his journey with Neurosarcodosis and how he manages his symptoms.

Today, I will be interviewing Beth Cooper from Edinburgh, Indiana. Beth was diagnosed with Undetermined Interstitial Lung Disease. However, on March 22nd of this year 2023, Beth received the most precious gift ,two new lungs from a selfless donor. Today, she is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with ILD and how she managed her symptoms and also share how she is feeling now since receiving her double lung transplant.

Today, I will be interviewing Ashley Thompson. Ashley is from Spring Hill, FL. She has autoimmune diseases triggered from mold toxicity.

Today, I will be interviewing Beth Gorman. Beth is from East Longmeadow, Massachusetts ,and she has Interstitial Lung Disease caused by hypersensitivity pneumonitis which happens in some people after they breathe in certain substances in the environment, such as mold or the skin cells shed by animals with fur. She is also on the list for a double lung transplant!

Today, I will be interviewing Daava Mills. Daava is from a small town in Washington state outside of Portland, OR, and in August of 2022 she was positive for connective tissue disease, but then two months later diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome.

Today ,I will be interviewing Nickelynn Bright. She is from Lubbock, Texas ,and she wants to bring awareness to Interstitial Lung Disease in honor of her mother Cris Withers. Mrs. Withers passed away from Interstitial Lung Disease that was brought on by the autoimmune diseases Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren Syndrome. If you would like to know more about Mrs. Withers I have included the link to her obituary below.Cris Calvert Withers | Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory (npwelch.com)

Today, I will be interviewing Jen Smith. Jen is from all the way in another country Scotland, and she has multiple autoimmune diseases, seven to be exact. Having multiple autoimmune diseases is called Multiple Autoimmune Syndrome (MAS).She is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with MAS and how she manages all her symptoms.

Today, I will be interviewing Albert Pedroza from San Antonio, TX. Albert had Unclassified Interstitial Lung Disease, however he had a double lung transplant May of last year 2022 and is doing wonderful!Today, he is going to share his raw and candid story about his journey with Unclassified Interstitial Lung Disease and his double lung transplant .

Today I am going to share with you my raw and candid lung transplant story. I have my husband Travis here to help me through it because a lot of the story in the beginning after I first was transplanted is very vague.

Today I will be interviewing Angelyna Sharkey from Clarksville, TN. Angelyna has a rare autoimmune disease called Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO). Today, she is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with NMO and how she manages her symptoms.

Dr. Wilfong is a clinical instructor and board certified rheumatologist at Vanderbilt Medical Center. She is part of the Vanderbilt Division of Rheumatology & Immunology and the Vanderbilt Division of Allergy, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine. As most (if not all of you) know rheumatologists specialize in autoimmune diseases which is why I asked Dr. Wilfong to be part of the podcast today.

Today, I will be interviewing Chantelle Bryant from Atlanta, GA. Chantelle has an autoimmune disease called Lupus. Today, she is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with Lupus and how she manages her symptoms.

Today, I am interviewing Jefflin Breuer from Olympia, Washington. Jefflin has an autoimmune disease called Inflammatory Myositis. Today, she is going to share her raw and candid story about her journey with Myositis and how she manages her symptoms.