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Episode Stefanie
Blog, Patient Stories, Podcast

Adapting is a Superpower: Stefanie’s Journey as a Mom with RA, Coach and Nurse Practitioner

November 23, 2020
4 min read
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On Episode 19 of the Arthritis Life Podcast, Stefanie shares her unique journey as a patient, healthcare provider, coach and mom in this heartfelt episode. Both Cheryl and Stefanie share why “adapting” your daily tasks, as well as emotionally adapting to your disease, are important superpowers when pursuing a full life with this disease.

Stefanie is the Rheumatoid Arthritis Coach. She’s a mother, teacher, volunteer, Family Nurse Practitioner, and also has rheumatoid arthritis. She was diagnosed about six years ago after the birth of her  first child. As a medical professional with over ten years of experience at that time, she was completely lost and felt like her world was shattered. The day she was diagnosed she cried for 10 minutes in the car, and then decided: “I’m not only going to take control of MY disease, but I want to help others to do the same!”

Cheryl Crow is an occupational therapist who has lived with rheumatoid arthritis for seventeen years. Her life passion is helping others with rheumatoid arthritis figure out how to live a full life despite arthritis, by learning effective tools to navigate physical, emotional and social challenges. She formed the educational company Arthritis Life in 2019 after seeing a huge need for more engaging, accessible, and (dare I say) FUN patient education and self-management resources. 

Links:

Here’s the show breakdown:

  • 1:00 – Introduction to Stephanie
  • 2:05 – How Stephanie’s background in medicine helped her figure out her Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis. 
  • 4:18- How Stephanie took control of her diagnosis and created the 1st arthritis support group in Las Vegas, Nevada through the Arthritis Foundation. 
  • 7:13 – Stephanie’s experience working in critical care (ICU – Intensive Care Unit) as a nurse at the time of her diagnosis and afterwards
  • 9:20 – Stephanie’s choice to leave the ICU setting due to her RA diagnosis
  • 10:17 – Stephanie’s advice to people with RA who are conflicted about whether to switch careers: don’t be afraid to change paths due to your condition, particularly if it helps you manage your stress better.
  • 13:25 – Cheryl & Stefanie discuss the importance of patient education.
  • 14:35 – Cheryl & Stefanie discuss how having RA changed how they practice as health providers: learning to listen better and be more present.
  • 18:50 – Stephanie’s most important tool to manage her RA on a daily basis: the ability to adapt (it’s a super power)!
  • 20:25 – Examples of how Stefanie adapts her daily routines to match her condition and abilities: pants with buttons versus pants without buttons, bar soap versus pump soap, types of cans, and more examples.
  • 24:30 – Cheryl’s examples of how occupational therapists help patients with arthritis adapt their daily routines to what works best for each individual. 
  • 28:09 – Stefanie’s family history of autoimmune diseases.
  • 29:30 – Stephanie’s first big RA flare after her first child was born and her experience with pregnancy and postpartum with her second child was born.
  • 30:35 – Stefanie’s difficulties with breastfeeding after her first pregnancy, versus her second pregnancy where she knew she couldn’t breastfeed due to medications.
  • 31:47 – Cheryl’s experience with chronic mastitis infections while breastfeeding and her views on infant feeding: fed is best! 
  • 34:15 – How Stefanie manages the demands of parenting with young kids: honest communication with your family, and some adaptations like a ramp for her children to get into their own bed.
  • 40:00 – Stefanie’s journey to creating her RA Coaching program
  • 42:30 – More details about Stephanie’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Coach program: diet, symptoms, and medications, individualized medical chart reviews for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients. 
  • 46:50 – Stefanie’s reflections on the importance of individualized care.