Calling In Sick

In this week’s solo episode of Calling in Sick, I dive into the reality of processing and shifting our identity due to a Chronic Illness, whether you have an official diagnosis or not. I talk about the struggles that come from comparing ourselves to others and how we define self-worth, especially relative to our life before getting sick. The discussion also sheds light on how often we feel misunderstood and feel like we have to “look sick” in a particular ways to get care. Most importantly though, I touch on how processing a chronic illness looks and feels a lot like the grief curve. As always, I offer anecdotes of my own journey with processing my new identity and share some tips and tricks that have helped me navigate these topics. My hopes are this episode has you nodding “me too!” and that you can walk away feeling comfort that you are not alone in this journey. Thanks for Calling in Sick with me again - xx, AlexTimestamps: Introduction00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick00:03:40 Alex’s health update00:07:40 Alex’s mental health update00:11:20 Alex’s recent wins00:14:00 Alex’s Wellness PicksThe Chronic Illness Identity Shift00:17:50 Post-diagnosis prioritization00:25:25 The challenges of the chronic illness identity shift00:34:10 My tips for handling the identity shift00:51:20 My NUMBER ONE TIP for handling the identity shiftOutro00:53:30 Thank you for listening!Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #flareup #chronicillnessidentity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Calling in Sick, I sat down with the incredibly funny and sweet Alexandra Kopko. You may know her from her TikTok @alexandrawideeyes, where she uses her incredibly relatable sense of humor to create educational and absolutely hysterical content about living and thriving with a chronic illness. We talk about navigating your way to a diagnosis in your 20s and the funny-not-funny snafus that arose along the way - like doctors that don’t believe you and grieving your precious healthy self. I hope you this Monday’s episode makes you laugh as much as I did — my face actually hurt from smiling and laughing so much. Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to another episode of Calling In Sick!00:01:30 Alex’s Catch Up and Health Status00:08:00 Alex’s Wellness Picks00:11:45 Introducing Alexandra Kopka (@alexandrawideeyes)00:16:30 Alex’s Diagnosis Story00:36:30 Getting doctors to take you seriously 00:45:20 Using comedy to cope with chronic illness00:49:30 Health anxiety00:55:40 Chronic illness on social media01:09:50 The “Spoon-ion”01:13:00 Are their negative repercussions to joking about chronic illness?01:18:30 Thank you for listening! ----------------------------------------------------------------Thank you to our sponsors this week:Malla - Go to Malla.co and use code “CallingInSick” for 25% off your first session. Malla is here to help you thrive! ----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #chronicillnesscomedy #flareup #darkhumor #comedypodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Calling in Sick, I’m sharing my tips and tricks for navigating a hospital stay or ER visit, which we all know can be an overwhelming experience. I wanted to make a practical guide for anyone with chronic illness faced with a trip to the ER or hospital after I spent 72 hours in the hospital last week getting IVIG for an autoimmune flare up. I share my top 5 tips, which cover everything from what to wear and bring, to how to advocate for yourself and what to say to friends and family who want to help during and after your hospital stay. Get ready for a real conversation on how to navigate the system like a pro. Plus, I’ll teach you how to give your medical history like an elevator pitch so you’re taken seriously and get the care you need. Whether you’re packing your go bag, preparing for a surprise stay, or helping someone in your life through the experience, this episode will help you feel more prepared, supported, and less alone. I’m hoping you have a high spoon and low symptom week - thanks for calling in sick with me again this week!Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick!00:02:00 My recent ER trip/hospitalization00:15:00 Intro to my top 5 tips for ER & hospital trips00:15:42 1 - How to present yourself 00:17:00 2 - What to bring (ER)00:25:50 2.5 -What to bring (hospital)00:28:30 3 -What to say (medical history elevator pitch)00:35:15 4 - How to pull in your care circle00:39:40 5- How to care for yourself after00:41:45 Thank you for listening!Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips #emergencyroomtips #hospitalstaytips #hospitalization #chronicillnessflareup #navigatingyourhospitalstay  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I got to sit down with my friend, and personal Functional Practitioner, Aubree Steen! We got to chat about the foundational elements of Functional medicine - everything from how providers get their credentials to the hand map analogy that describes the key pillars of functional medicine. We also discussed today’s supplement culture… who actually needs supplements, why functional medicine uses them, how to safely navigate buying and taking supplements, and of course, we myth bust some misconceptions along the way. I hope y’all enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed making it. Happy Monday - hope you’re having a good sick day ;) Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:06:20 Introduction to Functional Nurse Practitioner, Aubree Steen & Functional Medicine00:18:30 The Hand Metaphor00:29:30 Myth Busting Supplement Culture 01:09:00 Where to buy your supplements01:13:00 Lifestyle: you cannot out-supplement a bad lifestyle01:22:00 Thank you for listening! Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #functionalmedicine #supplementculture #biohacking #healthandwellness #podcast #podcastclips  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Calling in Sick! This week I had the honor of chatting with Olympic rock climber, Jesse Grupper. His energy is absolutely infections, and his story of getting to the Olympics is inspiring to say the least. We talk about how although no one day defines a lifetime, it’s the things we do daily that make a difference. Tune in to hear Jesse’s protocol for managing his chronic illness (ulcerative colitis), which includes integrating Western medicine, finding the humor in shitty situations, intuitive lifestyle changes, mindfulness and optimism training. I walked away from this conversation with a deep appreciation for how humans truly do have the capacity of achieving what we might think is the impossible.Timestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back to a *spicy* episode of Calling In Sick! 00:02:30 Introduction to Olympian Jesse Grupper (Ulcerative Colitis // IBD)0011:15 Jesse’s diagnosis story 00:30:25 The spoon theory00:33:20 Jesse’s mindfulness practice00:42:30 Jesse’s Autoimmune protocol 00:47:40 How Jesse’s communicates his needs00:54:20 Connecting with other Olympians with Chronic Illness00:59:30 Jesse’s favorite mantra01:00:20 How Jesse relaxes and heals post-competition 01:09:50 Optimism training01:15:00 Thank you for listening! Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Hosted by: Alex Wildeson -- https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithchronicillness #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick #ulcerativecolitis #iritableboweldisease #olympics #jessegrupper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Calling in Sick! This week I had way too much fun chatting all things dating, sex and intimacy with Ali DiGiacomo of @AnotherDayWithRA.We share our own highs and lows of how chronic illness has impacted our romantic relationships - from the lens of dating and intimacy. Join in for some vulnerable oversharing, lots of belly laughs, spicy tips and tricks we’ve picked up along the way & our answers to your most pressing questions. PSA: Check out our socials (@CallingInSickPod and @AnotherDayWithRA) for a fun, on-theme giveaway!Cheers!Timestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back to a *spicy* episode of Calling In Sick! 00:02:45 Intro to the dating & intimacy with chronic illness w/ Ali DiGiacomo (@AnotherDaywithRA)00:04:05 Ali’s story00:08:00 Our struggles with sex & intimacy 00:15:45 How to increase your sex drive00:37:30 Pelvic floor therapy & pain management00:39:50 Q&A - Dating & Marriage01:01:20 Q&A - Sex & Intimacy01:11:30 Thank you for listening!!!----------------------------------------------------------------Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/Guest: Ali DiGiacomo -- @AnotherDayWithRA---------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Calling in Sick! This week I had the honor of chatting Traditional Chinese Medicine with Brehan Crawford, L.Ac founder of Crawford Wellness. Brehan explains the history of TCM and breaks down how to integrate it with your current chronic illness protocols and Western Medicine. We also discuss some practical ways to dip a toe into the world of TCM — hello foot soaks & hot water sipping — and debunks some viral TikTok “cures”.Timestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back to another episode of Calling in Sick!00:01:45 How Brehan Crawford got started with Traditional Chinese Medicine00:11:50 Traditional Chinese Medicine vs. Western Medicine00:14:30 TikTok “Cures”00:21:00 The foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine00:37:00 Who are the best candidates for TCM?00:42:25 What’s a typical TCM protocol?00:56:30 Chronic Illness & Social Isolation01:01:30 TCM & Tongues01:04:50 Practical At-Home TCM Tips01:13:30 Finding several healing modalities that work01:18:40 Thank you for listening!Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithchronicillness #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Calling in Sick! This week, tune in to meet Cooper Wildeson - Alex’s husband, rock and partner of 10 years. The two share how they met, what dating was like before and after different diagnoses and practical tips on how they’ve navigated being sick and staying in love. So come and be a third-wheel this week — no doctor’s note required!To hear more about Alex’s diagnosis story, tune in to last week’s episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDcAzclpc5ATimestamps:00:00:00 Welcome back to another episode of Calling In Sick!00:01:30 How we met the beginning of our relationship00:12:37 Mono triggered a chronic illness flare-up 00:17:30 After College: Things were changing, navigating transitions00:28:28 Getting engaged despite recent chronic illness diagnosis00:36:05 Growing from Covid lockdown00:41:50 Starting to share life online 00:45:30 What we’re most proud about 00:50:45 Advice to other caregivers & those recently diagnosed00:55:50 Thank you for listening!! Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithchronicillness #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the first episode of Calling in Sick! Tune in to hear what this podcast is all about and get to know me, your host, Alex. I make a long story long and share a bit on my health journey, which started at age 6, how this has all made me who I am, and details on the various diagnosis I’ve picked up along the way - Polyarteritis Nodosa (Vasculitis), Lupus / Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD), Dysautonomia, Endometriosis and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). So submit your doctor’s note, because we are calling in sick together!Timestamps:00:00:00 - Welcome to the FIRST episode of Calling in Sick! 00:02:30 - What to expect on the Calling in Sick Podcast 00:07:30 - My health journey00:29:50 - Goals & takeaways 00:36:35 - THANK YOU for listening!! Stay connected and follow social:• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568----------------------------------------------------------------Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/#chronicillnesssupport #livingwithchronicillness #livingwithautoimmunedisease #callinginsick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Calling in Sick, hosted by Alex Wildeson and produced by Just Media. On this podcast, Alex shares her unfiltered personal journey battling several autoimmune and chronic conditions including Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Vasculitis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD) / Lupus, Endometriosis, and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). She also provides practical “how-to” guides, explores hot topics, and welcomes other warriors, medical professionals, advocates and creators on the show to shed light on the latest healing modalities, promising treatments, and myth bust popular misconceptions and trendy health hacks. Tune in for some laughs, tears, and growth… but stay for the camaraderie and community. You can engage with Alex and the community through social media @callinginsickpod. We promise, you don’t need a doctor’s note for this one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices