It’s been a slice. Thank you to everyone who’s tuned in! For those of you in the midst of a challenging journey right now: know that you’re not alone. Keep going, don’t give up, and don’t lose hope ❤️ ----- This segment concludes the World Encephalitis Day series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherearemyp... Twitter: https://twitter.com/wampillows Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkM266d ..read more

For some encephalitis patients, finding good medical care is half the battle (or more) towards getting on the road to healing. Many doctors simply lack adequate knowledge or expertise to effectively diagnose and manage this condition. In today’s episode, we cover some of my thoughts on learning how to advocate for yourself in a medical setting. ----- This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whereare ..read more

From cutting-edge research shared by encephalitis experts, to inspiring stories from patients and caregivers, #WEDConf2021 was a day to remember! Shoutout to the Encephalitis Society, the AE Alliance, the Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Foundation, Encephalitis 411, and the Hashimoto’s Encephalopathy/SREAT Alliance for orchestrating a superb day of programming (not to mention their work year-round to improve the lives of patients and caregivers!). ----- This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my ..read more

Most likely, recovery will NOT be linear, pretty, or fast. From one encephalitis survivor to another: don't disregard your mental health, and allow yourself time and patience to recover physically AND psychologically from surviving encephalitis. ----- This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherearemyp... Twitter: https://twitter.com/wamp ..read more

If neurological or psychological issues are impairing your cognition, it’s tremendously helpful to get professional testing done to characterize your level of functioning on a granular level. Why? You can get help from speech/cognitive therapists! Why else? Because doctors are more inclined to recognize clinical recovery and/or relapse ..read more

World Encephalitis Day: what’s it about? In today’s episode we reminisce about last year’s conference and discuss what’s going down this year for 2021. ------ This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherearemyp... Twitter: https://twitter.com/wampillows Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkM266dcY9ay4YVpMALAwdg/ Blog: http://wherea ..read more

Schooling, career trajectory, social life, family ties—encephalitis can radically throw all of these things upside down. Despite the disruptive impact it's had on my life, I'm also incredibly thankful to have overcome the worst of it and to have a renewed sense of optimism for what's to come! ------ This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com ..read more

What does medical trauma and medical system-induced anxiety feel like? Let me tell you a story… ------ This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherearemyp... Twitter: https://twitter.com/wampillows Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkM266dcY9ay4YVpMALAwdg/ Blog: http://wherearemypillows.com ..read more

The unfortunate reality is that the majority of doctors have inadequate skill and expertise in diagnosing autoimmune encephalitis. Making things worse, few providers will readily admit to this.  If there’s one thing to take away from this episode, advocate for proper testing and imaging investigations early on. ------ This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: h ..read more

Anyone with an invisible, chronic illness will relate with the struggle of not being able to do the same things they were once capable of. For me, I would wonder: how much of my limits were due to being lazy vs. being sick? Now that I’m in recovery, the answer is clear. ------ This segment is part of the World Encephalitis Day countdown series, which culminates on February 22, 2021! You can find more insight into my story on my blog, http://wherearemypillows.com/ Social links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wherearemypillows  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wherearemyp... Twitter ..read more