The Transplant Strong Podcast

Danny Chats episode 41 features special guest Lewis Evans.   

Lewis is a kidney transplant patient who will be competing for England and NI in the transplant games 2023 after finishing first in the 100meters at the UK games with an incredible time of 10.99 seconds.   

In this episode Lewis tells me about his transplant and how that has inspired him to compete in the transplant games, Lewis also tells me about his training process for the 100m and how he achieved his new PB time.   

Danny Chats Episode 39 features special guest Lisa Woodcock.  

Lisa had a liver transplant in 2021 due to having a liver disease called Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) which her family has a history of although it is not fully classified as being a hereditary disease.   

Although there is medication to control the illness Lisa's body was unresponsive to it which meant her only option was to have a liver transplant.    

Lisa talks about the ups and downs of life post transplant including taking out her own nasal biliary drain out which made me pull a funny face.   It's great to share the real life experiences of other transplant patients and hopefully this reaches people who are going through a similar experience.   

Danny Chats Episode 38 features special guest Grey Brett.   

Grey is a liver transplant patient from Canada and in this chat we talk about Grey's transplant journey and how that led him to work with the Transplant Games and Move For Life Foundation.   

Grey has such positive energy and since his transplant he has been doing a lot to support the transplant community, raise awareness and vital funds to help further the progress of transplants and transplant patients in Canada and around the world.    

Danny Chats Episode 37 features special guest Vicki Lee.  

In this Episode Vicki talks us through her transplant process. Vicki explains the reasons she needed the transplants and tells me what she is up to a year after having the life saving operation.   

Danny Chats Ep33 features special guest Margaret Elizabeth.   

In this episode, Margaret tells us how in her early twenties, Wilson's Disease left her fighting for her life. 

Over a very short period, Margaret became so ill she could barely walk, write or feed herself. As you can imagine, this was a hugely worrying time for her and her family.  

Once the doctors had diagnosed Margaret with Wilson's Disease, she recalls how she had to dig deep and find her inner strength and determination to get her life back.   

With the proper medication, lots of support from her family and medical team, plus a huge effort both physically and mentally on her part, Margate is now living a quality of life some of her doctors said she might never achieve.   

Margaret is a very proud Mum to a beautiful baby boy, and in this chat, she talks me through her pregnancy and how her doctors managed her medication throughout the whole process.   

Wilson's Disease really can be a complex disease to deal with, and even now, Margate still has some bad days, although she says the good days definitely out way the bad.   

If you would like to say hello to Margaret or you have any questions, you can find her on Facebook or Instagram.  

Danny Chats Ep32 Wilson's Disease; Special Guest Emilia Quezgo.  

My guest Emilia is from Mexico and she talks to me about her experience of being diagnosed with Wilson's Disease and how she has struggled to get the correct medication.   

The main Wilson's Disease medications are not available in Mexico so Emilia has had to apply for a special permit and gets them from Canada or America.    

As many of you will know, being without medication can be deadly to a Wilson's Disease patient so not having medication available can be a big problem.   

Emilia is now using her knowledge to try and help other Wilson's Disease patients from Mexico get access to the correct mediation too.  You can find Emilia on Instagram @wilsondisease_mx  

Thank you for listening to this podcast, if you found it interesting please hit the like button and remember to subscribe to my channel for more videos.   

If you have any  questions or you would like to join me for a chat then please give me a message on either Facebook or Instagram.  

Danny Chats Episode 31 features special guest Caroline Tancredy.  

In this episode Caroline tells me how Wilson's Disease affected her and her twin sister Marry, who sadly lost her life before being diagnosed.   Caroline was asymptomatic but when tested for Wilson's Disease she still had very high copper levels and was put on medication immediately. Some of this medication Caroline took had side effects and she tells me more about this.      

This is the first Wilson's Disease chat I have done where we go into more detail about how Wilson's Disease and the medication may affect pregnancy. Caroline is very open and honest about how her pregnancy and we talked about things I had not previously thought about.    

As always I really enjoyed this chat, I am privileged to get to talk to so many amazing people.    

If you found this interesting please give it a like and subscribe to the channel for more videos.   

If you have any questions or would like to join me for a chat you can find me on Facebook or Instagram.  

Danny Chats Episode 29 features special guest Elisha Emerald.  

Elisha was diagnosed with Glycogen Storage Disease when she was 4 months old and this meant having lots of treatment and constantly having to worry about her health.   

When Elisha reached her 20's the Doctors told her she would not live for much longer without having a liver transplant.   

Elisha's brother became a living liver donor to her but unfortunately after 4 days Elisha needed another transplant.   

I'm pleased to say Elisha is stable now and she is currently working for Lyfebulb who work around raising awareness and connecting transplant patients together.   

Danny Chats Episode 28 features special guest Denise Redeker.  

Denise had a heart transplant in 2018 and is very open about her journey through recovery.   

Denise faced a few obstacles along the way but is now doing really well and is often out running, hiking or holding charity events for Heartfelt Help Foundation.   

Denise is the founder of Heartfelt Help Foundation and she tells me about why she set it up and what the the goals are for the future. 

It really is a great charity and I have added a link to their website here so you can check it out.    

Danny Chats Episode 26 features special guest Brooke Gurrad.   

After joining Brooke on her podcast The Bonus Years to talk about my transplant journey it was a pleasure to have her join me on Danny Chats.   

Brookes need for a transplant was a huge surprise to her as she had had very good health up until her 20's.   

Over a very short time Brookes liver started to fail and although she didn't realise it she would soon in need of a new liver in order to live.   

Brooke is very open and honest about her journey and I think lots of transplant patients will relate to the feeling and emotions she felt along the way.   

Danny Chats Episode 25 features special guest Jareb Gutierrez.   

In this episode Jareb tells me about his experience with Wilson's Disease, like me Jareb was diagnosed in his early teens.   

Like most Wilson's Disease patients the diagnosis took some time but one Jareb was diagnosed he was soon put onto medication.    

Jareb has been able to live a happy stable life since being on the medication and over the years he has developed a passion for photography.  

Jareb Instagram - @jnggtzphotography   

Danny Chats Episode 24 features special guest Hannah Sharma and we are talking about heart transplants.   

Up until 2019 Hannah had had no real bad health issues in her words she was living her life.   

Then during 2019 she had a bout of Norovirus and that was getting worse and worse but the GP's kept giving her antibiotics and that's all.   Hannah became so ill she had to move back to her parents house and from there she ended up in A&E and then admitted to hospital.   

Hannah had in ICU fitted shortly after being admitted to hospital and that was in until she was given a heart transplant.   

All of this came as a huge shock to Hannah and her family but she describes being put on the transplant list as a relief and was looking forward to getting her life back after transplant.   

Danny Chats Episode 19 features special guest Thomas Stokes.  

Thomas contracted hepatitis C which caused liver damage and eventually lead to his liver developing a Cancerous tumour.  Thomas then needed a Liver transplant to save his life in 2017.   

Thomas was a keen runner before his operation and kept up the training through his transplant process, he makes a good point in saying the fitter you are before the operation the better and faster your recovery will be after the liver transplant.   

Thomas was soon back on his feet after his operation and began training for the American Transplant Games where he competed in a virtual Triathlon. He then flew over to England to compete in the World Transplant Games where he competed in track and field events before doing some site seeing in the UK.   

For Thomas he said the main concern for him pre transplant was what would his lifestyle be like after the operation so being able to travel the world still and compete in sporting events shows there is lots of life to be had.     

Its been great learning more about the games and the inspirational people that take part, the games are open to everyone that has had a transplant and its a great way to celebrate together the extra life we have been given.   

We also talk about writing to the donor as it seems everyone has their own view on this and how it should be done.   

Thank you for watching, if you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Diseases and where that has lead me today.   

Danny Chats Episode 18 features special guest Nick Stonehouse.  

Nick's liver failure came on extremely fast and unexpected during a time that was already very hard for him and his family. Luckily Nick got a transplant in time and he is able to tell me his story.   

During this chat we talk about writing to the donors family and Nick tells me how he has meet his donors family at a Transplant Games event, as you could imagine that was a very emotional day all round.  

We go into more detail about how the games work in the U.K and Nick tells me what inspired him to take part.   

Nick has competed in a few different events at the UK games on 3 occasions  and he has won a number of medals including 3 Golds in the discus throwing competition.   

This is a great achievement and one that earned Nick a spot on the UK Transplant Team to compete in the World Transplant Games. The last world games was in Newcastle (UK) and Nick managed to win a bronze medal which again I think is an incredible achievement and what an honour to perform for your country.  Well done Nick  

We also discuss coping with Covid and being in lockdown. Nick has some great words on this and essentially its all about doing what you are most comfortable with.   

This chat has really inspired me to get involved with the transplant games and I hope it inspires others too.   

As Nick says having the focus of the games and all the training that goes with it really helps to deal with the ups and downs and mental emotions that go with having a transplant and life in general.   

You can find Nick on Instagram @tscontinental   

Thank you for watching, if you would like to join me on an episode or you have any questions please feel free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me today.   

Danny Chats Episode 17 features special guest Tatiana Narveaz.  

In this episode Tatiana tells me about how she was being treated for a cancerous tumour for 2 years with Chemo before the doctors made the discovery that the tumour was  not actually cancerous.   

Tatiana describes this as a huge relief as it then meant she was eligible for a Liver Transplant and luckily she did not have to wait long for the life changing operation.   

After having the life saving transplant Tatiana found she had a new passion for sports and competing. This lead her to competing in the Transplant Olympics and the Latin American Transplant Games.   

Tatiana is a great example of the peak physical fitness than can be achieved after transplant as she competes in one of the toughest events going, the Triathlon.   The triathlon is a mix of swimming, running and cycling and it takes more than just physical strength to complete, it is also a big test of the mental will power.   

The mental willpower is possibly something lots of us transplant patients can understand as it takes a lot of PMA to get through a transplant, times when you want to give up but you don't. You dig deep and you find that extra bit of strength to keep going.   

Tatian trains very hard and was good enough to win a silver medal in the World Transplant Olympics and a Gold medal in the Latin American Games which I think is an incredible achievement.   

Tatian mixes her passion for sports with helping to raise awareness around Organ Donation in Columbia as at this current time there are very few registered donors.   

You can find Tatiana on Instagram - @Tatiananarveaztx  

It was a very inspiring chat and who knows maybe I will go to the transplant games to compete and I hope it may have inspired you to take up sport again or maybe for the first time.     

If you would like to join me on an episode or you have any questions please fell free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more my life with Wilson's Disease where that has lead me today.   

Danny Chats Episode 16 features special guest Amy Honeycutt.  

In this episode Amy tells me about needing a Liver Transplant at just 26 years old due having a bad reaction to medication she was on at that time. Her liver failed and she needed an urgent transplant.  

Luckily Amy got her transplant and she recovered well. Now 10years later she is working as transplant coordinator in America which is awesome.

Amy and I discuss the transplant procedure from a transplant coordinators point of view, we talk about going through the evaluation stage and the tests people may need.   

Technology is ever evolving and Amy tells me about a new Liver pump they have that keeps the transplant liver fresh and can even improve the its condition. This means they can now sometimes us a liver that would normally have been thrown away, which is brilliant.   

As you can imagine Amy's favourite part is calling people to tell them they have a liver that matches, its an exciting time for everyone.  

We discuss why some people get sent home after being called in for the operation and how its all about minimising risk to the patient and the new liver. I personally I know how hard that can be for someone on the waiting list to get called in then sent home, its a really emotional rollercoaster.   

Amy tells me how important it is to follow the doctors advice before transplant especially when it comes to using drink and drugs.   

Finally we talk about the emotional side to being given an organ and how that is a special thing but a tough time.   

You can find Amy on Instagram @Lemons.and.honey.blog  

If you would like to join me on an Episode or you have any questions please fell free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me today.   

Danny Chats Episode 15 features special guest Rhonda Rowland.  

In this episode Rhonda tells me about her own experience of being diagnosed with Wilson's Disease and the medication she is now on to control her copper levels.  Rhonda is a board member of the Wilson's Disease Association in America so we talk a bit about that and also the great work she has been doing to put a book together about Wilson's Disease.  

Rhonda travelled to the UK to talk to Dr Walsh the man that invented the first medication for Wilson's Disease patients and also Dr Wilsons son plus the first person that was ever treated with the medication, Penecillamine.   

Danny Chats Episode14 features special guest Jessica Alice. 

In this episode Jessica talks about having a liver transplant when she was just 7yrs old and how for many years she was living a good healthy life.  Jessica was in desperate need of her transplant so her Mum did what I think any mother would do and become a living donor.   

Jessica tells me how getting sepsis in 2019 made her very ill and she spent a lot of time in and out of hospital getting it sorted and getting her immune system back to working order.   

She describes the time as a big reminder of how being a transplant patient can leave you vulnerable to certain illness and it was bit of a shock again.   We discuss the pro and cons of being in Transplant groups on the internet and Jessica tells me about possible plans to start her own podcast which I think is a great.   

You can find Jessica on Instagram @Jessicaalicety 

If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also add a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me today.  

Danny Chats Episode 13 features special guest Armin Muzafirovic.  In this episode Armin talks to me about his experience growing up with a pacemaker and eventual needing a heart transplant.  

At around 17 years old Armin's heart was 3x as big as a normal heart and he was fitted with his first pacemaker.   Armin tells me how he has been shocked back to life on multiple occasions and he even had the defibrillator used on him while he was still awake and conscious.   

He had his first heart attack while up a mountain at 19 years old and a few years later he was on the operating table receiving a heart transplant.  He really is an inspiring young man who despite everything takes life in his stride and has a very calm and positive attitude.      

You can find Armin on Instagram - @Armin.Muza  

If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to find me on Instagram or Facebook. I have also add a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me today.  

Danny Chats Episode 12 features special guest Brandon Mouw. 

In this episode Brandon tells me about his journey with Type 1 Diabetes and how having that lead him to needing a Pancreas transplant.    Brandon tells me how he was passing out 8-10 times a day before his operation and had to stop driving and give up work all this while having to find $250,00 to fund his transplant.   Since his operation Brandon has been doing well but has had a few hospital visits with mild rejection and he tells me about his most recent one.   

We touch on many subjects and Brandon is brining out a book next year (2021) which he tells me a little about.   

Danny Chats Episode 11 features special guest Elizabeth Cassidy.  In this episode Elizabeth tells me about her journey with Wilson's Disease and eventually needing a liver transplant.   

Like many Wilson's Disease patients Elizabeth went for many years unwell but without having the vital WD diagnosis she was told to go back to the doctors and eventually she was sent for a CAT scan which lead to more tests of the liver and eventually she was diagnosed with Wilson's Disease.   

After many years on medication Elizabeth eventually needed a liver transplant and she is the first guest I have had on that had a living donor.   We discuss all this plus loads more, its another really interesting and inspiring story.  

If you enjoyed this video or found it interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe.  

If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.   

Danny Chats Episode 10 features special guest Arooj.   

In this episode Arooj tells me her story of having a heart transplant when she was just a child, we discuss the operation and the medication Arooj needed to take after the Op.  

We talk about a range of things including  the pros and cons of social media and the importance of taking time for your self.  

You can find Arooj on Instagram - @littlemissnewheart  If you enjoyed this video or found it interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe.  If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have added a link to my blog where I talk about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.  

Danny Chats Episode 9 features special guest Dr. Veronica Loy.   

Dr. Loy is a transplant hepatologist from America and she kindly answers some of the most common questions people have regarding the liver and liver transplants, questions like 'Does the liver regenerate'. 

I love the answer to this question!   We also discuses how Drs train for some of their procedures and the different types of biopsy patients have to undergo.    

Dr Loy tells me about the longevity of a liver transplant and the different types of medication people need to take after and we discuss the possibility of 3d printing organs.   Check it out, hopefully there is some useful information for people pre or post liver transplant.  

Thanks for watching you can find my social media pages and blog below.   

Danny Chats Episode 8 features special guest Dan Gottlieb.  

We talk all things Wilson's Disease including diagnosis, having a raw food diet, doing sports, how Wilson's Disease can affect school and work plus loads more.   

Check out Dan's website here - https://www.sproga.com 

If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to message me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk about life before and after a liver transplant.   

Danny Chats Episode 7 features special guest Jamie Delf.  

Jamie was diagnosed with a rare condition called Abernathy Syndrome which effects his cognitive function and caused tumours to develop on his liver.  

In this episode Jamie talks all about going through different stages of diagnosis and being miss diagnosed for a long time. He explains how tumours developed on his liver and the treatment he was having to try to help fight them.  

We also cover having a liver transplant, writing to the donor and life after transplant plus a few other bits.   

Danny Chats Episode 6 features special guest Beth Trudeau.  

In this episode we talk about miss diagnosis, liver biopsy, clinical depression and recovering from a transplant.  

If you enjoyed or found this podcast interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for future episodes.  

If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to message me in Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.   

Danny Chats Episode 5 features special guest Rob Holcombe. 

In this episode Rob and I talk about our experience of Wilson's Disease and the medical health system in the USA. Rob also talks about his diet, relationship and a few other things.  

If you enjoyed the podcast or found it interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for future episodes.  

If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to message me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.  

Danny Chats Episode 4 features special guest Virginia Lee. 

In this episode Virginia and I talk about our experience of Wilson's Disease and having a liver transplant, Virginia tells me about her life and we cover relationships, food and the current happenings (Covid-19). 

 If you enjoyed the podcast or found it interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for future episodes.  

 If you would like to join me on an episode or have any questions please feel free to message me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.   

Danny Chats Episode 3 features special guest Michelle El Nemnom.   

In this episode Michelle and I talk about our experience with Wilson's Disease and Michelle tells me about the struggle she has with getting her medication to Beirut.  

 If you enjoyed this podcast or found it interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to the channel for future episodes.  

 If you would like to join me on an episode or you have any questions please feel free to message me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.  

Danny Chats Episode 2 features special guest Heather Lindsay.

In this episode Heather and I talk about our experience with Wilson's Disease, Heather opens up about her journey from diagnosis to transplant and tells me what its like 29 years later. Its great to share these stories and big thanks to Heather for joining me for a chat.   

If you enjoyed this podcast or found it interesting please give it a thumbs up and subscribe for future episodes.   

If you would like to join me on an episode or you have any questions please feel free to find me on Facebook or Instagram. I have also added a link to my blog where I talk more about my life with Wilson's Disease and where that has lead me.   

In this episode I am joined by Jessica Wickers from the USA.

We discuss how Jessica's diagnoses came about and what treatment was needed to control her Wilson's Disease.