Welcome to The Lone Zebra! Glad you’re here with me for the first episode of my new weekly 30 minutes podcast. (For all the details of the show please see the TRANSCRIPT tab below. The show notes (blog post) for each episode will highlight links, books or other mentions on the show for you to get more information for things I’ve mentioned during the show.)
Older But Wiser
Today's episode is the premier where I’ll share things I’ve learned along the way, as I’ve become older but wiser. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck, you know. I’ve traversed the bumpy roads of medical misdiagnosis and misunderstanding of how my body works. It’s not like everyone else, you see I’m a “zebra”. I live with MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and the histamine issues that go along with it. I hit the trifecta actually and have issues with EDS (Ehlers Danlos Syndrome) and POTS (Post Orthopedic Tachycardia Syndrome) as well as MCAS.
Please note I initially mispronounce MCAS and later get with it and use the usual pronounciation, please extend some latitude since I was nervous on the first episode.
In the meantime, Amber Walker sums up my feelings in her book and echoes why I’m doing this podcast. I always thought I was the only one that dealt with this but now I know that I’m not alone. I’m the lone zebra looking for the rest of the zebras out there.
Knowledge is Power
At the end of the day, I hope that my story helps other patients feel less alone and perhaps even gives them confidence that their future can include more answers and improvements to chronic MCAS symptoms.
We are facing an era of widespread chronic and debilitating, quote, mystery, end quote, illness, massive exposure to toxins and a medical system that turns down the flame, without putting out the original fire.
In spite of these challenges, there is still great reason to have hope.
I believe that the future depends on uniting mainstream and natural medicine approaches to provide patients with the tools that they need to find long lasting healing from a chronic disease, one step at a time.
Let's keep this hope alive.
Amber Walker, “Mast Cells United: A Holistic Approach to Mast Cell Activation”
Mast Cells United: A Holistic Approach to Mast Cell Activation Syndrome
by Amber Walker
Two years of full-time research and over 500 pages of information about MCAS!
Book Overview:
Allergies and anaphylaxis are on the rise, alongside gastrointestinal problems, skin issues, fatigue, orthopedic pain, neurological symptoms, and just about everything in between. Patients are coming out of the woodwork with chronic, debilitating, often invisible illness. Recent research estimates that 14%-17% of the population may have mast cell activation disease.
Much of the medical community has never heard of the condition, and existing mainstream treatment tends to focus predominantly on pharmacological management. However, once a patient has reached a stable baseline, there are a number of other individualized approaches that can guide patients to successfully address the underlying root issues.
This book includes:
an in-depth overview of mast cell activation disease, with a focus on mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS);
a patient story describing life with MCAS;
a detailed literature review and current hypotheses for disease origins;
a practical guide of clinical considerations for diagnosis;
a chapter devoted to comorbid conditions, including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, POTS, Lyme disease and much more;
several chapters devoted to mainstream and natural treatment options, dietary considerations, and strategies for holistic healing;
content from dozens of interviews with prominent MCAS experts, including specialists in allergy/immunology, hematology, functional medicine, naturopathy, psychology, nutrition, gastroenterology, physical therapy, clinical research, and more!
Whether a patient, medical practitioner, or family member/friend, this book empowers readers and provides patients with concrete steps to move forward in the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of mast cell activation syndrome.
You can find the electronic version and paperback here. For more information visit the website Mast Cells United.com
Also visit the Resources page on my website and look for the Mast Cell/Histamine Resource page for links to websites, books, cookbooks and more information to help you navigate life.
Faith and Hope
Living for over six decades with these chronic issues that doctors seemed to know little or nothing about often left me feeling defeated and with little hope. I found my courage and my strength through my faith. I found these daily devotionals by Sara such encouraging words that I hope reach out to you too, wherever you are and whatever you’re going through.
A Daily Devotional for Discovering a Meaningful Life in Christ by Sarah Daigle.
Finalist in the 2019 TopShelf Book Awards, Women of Purpose offers 100 days of scripture-based devotions for an intentional and abundant life rooted in Christ.
Why do some women seem deeply rooted in peace and joy—even in difficult circumstances—while others of us struggle daily with feelings of dissatisfaction, worthlessness, or anxiety? Being a Christian doesn’t mean we’re exempt from pain and suffering—but it does mean we are called to a higher purpose and can claim the gifts of the abundant life that Jesus promises.
Sara Daigle is passionate about sharing a message of deliverance, freedom, and ultimate love with women from all places and walks of life. Her passion gave birth to this book composed in devotional form with a Bible verse and prayer for each day, focused on leading women out of the labyrinth of their own thoughts into a higher identity and value found in Christ.
For those facing uncertainty and life changes, Sara reminds us that Jesus has “come to bring abundant life that doesn't end when one season flows into the next before you catch your breath.” For those who look around and see women who are prettier, more accomplished, better moms, or even “better” Christians than they are, we are shown that “There is no joy fuller than living out exactly what He's gifted us in without comparison to another.” Readers will resonate with Sara’s authentic voice, honesty about her own struggles, and the wisdom that comes through hard times and a rich relationship with God.
This devotional is geared to bring even the busiest of women into daily intimacy with God. It is written to help each heart know they are not alone, but destined for a life of meaning, identity, and purpose in union with a Creator God who designed each of us just as we are.
Music
for the show is provided by my subscription to Epidemic Sound
Today’s featured song is “Run to Me” by Hector Gabriel
Musical Interludes that are features for the show are parts of the following songs:
“Your Grace” by Station Story (Theme Song for the podcast)
”Shaving Grace” by T. Morri
”Come Be With Us” by Joyspring
”The Paper Birch” by Johannes Bornlof
”Our Early Years” by David Celeste
I hope you enjoyed the show and share it with a friend! I’m not on the usual podcast platforms due to censorship that would not allow me to share the truth. Apple, Spotify and Google all have terms of service spelling out the inability to speak in truth about the medical system vs. natural health. Faith based shows are not favored in algorithms and sometimes banned outright. I believe my audience is out there but not necessarily exclusively listening to just these platforms. My hope you will help me by sharing this podcast with your family and friends that you care about. There are many people out there struggling with chronic illnesses that can benefit by listening to some of the tips I share.
My show can be found here on Substack with no ads and all the links and show notes are here for your reference too. I also post the episodes on Rumble, Brighteon, TuneIn, and Pocket Casts.
Please don’t forget to subscribe before you go! You want to miss an episode and it’s free.
Today’s feature photo by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash
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