What types of story tellers are you interested in?

What types of stories are you interested in?

     
    

Please Note: The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not medical advice. Please consult your physician for any questions you have related to your individual medical condition. If you are in need of immediate medical help, go to the nearest emergency room or call 9-1-1.

PATIENT STORY

You got to have trust in your doctor

After being told her defibrillator was not working, this storyteller describes the process of getting a new one implanted and how she stays healthy currently.

December 11, 2019 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

“You find out something new just about every visit…”

This storyteller shares the challenges with having a rare immune disease of the blood; where levels are monitored, recurrence is possible, and medication side effects can be severe.

August 31, 2022 | 21m 13s
CAREGIVER STORY

They should be able to have enough pyschological and social support

A mother and caretaker describes her daughter's story with cancer and how hospitals should consider the socialization of young patients.

October 18, 2019 | 18m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

A human has two components: mind and body; In treating the body, we must also treat the mind

A clinical psychologist shares her views on the impact illness has on patients, her experience treating patients in a hospital setting, and possible directions for future study.

April 15, 2016 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's difficult to not know

In this conversation, a woman describes her story with cancer and how testing, treatment, and insurance only contributed to her problems.

February 18, 2019 | 17m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PARTICIPANT STORY

...my families there you know, and I;ve never spend so much time [without] seeing them

This storyteller share their experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic as a new student in a new country, managing their health getting the vaccine and caring for their partner.

April 14, 2023 | 19m 48s
PATIENT STORY

...is to be more mindful of what you cook, and what you do...

The storyteller shares how a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes changed the relationship she had with food, and quality of life.

May 11, 2020 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There are rules in medicine that do not make any sense

A woman who has struggled with multiple health conditions explains her anger about the health care she's received, including an overlooked osteoporosis diagnosis and denial to get a hysterectomy after years of suffering from adenomyosis.

August 22, 2017 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I was really nervous if I was going to get more long COVID symptoms.

This storyteller shares their experience when they started having COVID-19 symptoms.

March 21, 2023 | 06m 11s
PATIENT STORY

Hospitals hide what they are doing

In this story, a woman expresses extreme disappointment and frustration regarding hospital regulations and staff.

January 25, 2017 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They keep on telling me different body parts are going, but I'm moving!

A woman diagnosed with interstitial lung disease describes her life changes following the diagnosis and the importance of family and positive attitude throughout other health battles.

March 24, 2016 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...so I think the support of my family...I think that's very very critical."

This storyteller had been experiencing signs of diabetes for some time before a trip to the emergency room highlighted a health concern besides insulin.

May 24, 2022 | 22m 58s
PATIENT STORY

...not only protect them, but some of my other family as well.

This storyteller shares their experience getting the vaccine, getting tested for COVID-19. and managing their mental health.

February 22, 2023 | 21m 37s
PATIENT STORY

I can't do all the things I used to do because I can't walk as long...

This storyteller shares their experience getting treatment for multiple health conditions and surgeries and arthritis and managing their health after with pain management and programs.

April 08, 2022 | 14m 05s
PATIENT STORY

Healthcare providers do have to go into a partnership with their patients

After battling cancer herself, this storyteller describes her family's experience with breast cancer.

September 20, 2019 | 25m 15s
PATIENT STORY

They told me there was no help for me

After being diagnosed with interstitial lung disease and given months to live, this lung transplant patient describes her experience receiving the transplant and its effects.

June 19, 2017 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's good to have a skepticism...

This storyteller shares their experience advocating and making health decisions related to their religious beliefs and advocating for the appropriate treatment when limited by options and health care professionals.

March 02, 2023 | 19m 16s
PATIENT STORY

...it's just a mess and it needs to be re-vamped , so that we're getting the health care that we need.

This storyteller shares the challenges in getting appropriate and timely treatment for POTS and a late diagnosis of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, especially after lost health records and increasingly challenging body regulations. .

March 30, 2023 | 23m 22s
CAREGIVER STORY

It would help the healthcare system a lot if we recruited better people, people more adaptable to the job

A man talks about CNA's and other health care professionals providing better daily life care for dementia and hospice patients, including patience and respect.

May 12, 2017 | 16m 35s
CAREGIVER STORY

Logic doesn't always yield the path

In this story, a woman describes her family's interaction with Huntington's disease and how the medical community should approach it differently.

November 01, 2019 | 19m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Provide support to those providing care and to the patients

A caregiver shares her experiences taking care of her mother that was in renal failure and declined to receive dialysis for treatment.

July 06, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

" Si tengo la espalda muy inflamada, al otro dia no puedo ir a trabajar" . ["If my back is very inflamed, the next day I can't go to work"]

" The storyteller shared their story about how back pain has affected their ability to work full time"

June 30, 2023 | 17m 39s
CAREGIVER STORY

Making preventative healthcare more readily available

A woman discusses her father's healthcare story regarding kidney failure and the struggles to get proper treatment.

September 04, 2019 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I felt like there weren't a lot of doctors I could trust to help me

After being diagnosed with spondylolisthesis this storyteller details her trust issues with doctors because of their poor communication.

May 22, 2019 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...that when we said, 'Alright, we need to be with one another...'

This storyteller shares their experience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, their thoughts and decisions when it came to getting the vaccine, and how they managed their health during this time of transitions for them.

January 19, 2022 | 21m 42s
PATIENT STORY

...was a time for me to slow down and realize the things I really did want.

A month after entering a statewide shutdown, during the covid-19 Pandemic, this storyteller is diagnosed with a autoimmune disorder;being at risk and a physical therapist can make you conscious the changes you have to make for your health and safety.

July 06, 2021 | 23m 36s
PATIENT STORY

…knowledge is power and to understand the process...

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system having been diagnosed with high blood pressure, staying active with age, and the impact of COVID-19.

August 05, 2022 | 19m 06s
PATIENT STORY

…having something to do and being helpful.

This storyteller shares how they managed their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth in their faith and in the love from their community.

February 21, 2023 | 22m 02s
CAREGIVER STORY

We're good friends, and that helps

After falling and breaking a femur, this storyteller's mother-in-law was sent home with strong urges to go into a skilled nursing facility. However, that is not what the family has decided on.

July 10, 2019 | 26m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

You're constantly asking the person with the illness, to do more stuff.

This storyteller shares being a support for her child with a chronic condition, and how being a nurse practitioner has made support easier at times.

September 16, 2021 | 21m 18s
PATIENT STORY

Don't take your health lightly

Alarming symptoms cause a man to seek medical attention from a nephrologist, and he received news that he had a kidney disease that managed through dialysis.

May 18, 2018 | 29m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It’s almost like if I get it, they’ll get it too.

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic; new hobbies, maintaining relationships, and being at risk due to job position.

February 10, 2023 | 09m 16s
PATIENT STORY

Stroke doesn't discriminate

At the age of 25, having suffered three strokes in less than three years, a woman experience with Moyamoya disease and her journey towards two brain surgeries.

September 19, 2019 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

People don't know how to participate with the treatment plan or healthcare system

A woman suffered extensive injuries after being involved in an accident, and she shares the story of her recovery.

May 24, 2018 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Like a lot of places right now just don't have the help.

This storyteller shares how routine blood work revealed concerning levels in the thyroid and the advantage of finding a medication regime that needs very little adjustment over the years.

March 03, 2022 | 12m 50s
PATIENT STORY

I saw a whole side of my community, I've never seen.

This storyteller explains the steps him and his community have taken to protect everyone during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

April 13, 2020 | 27m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I was watching my son die before my eyes

A mother shares her son's heroin addiction journey, her learning how to help without being an enabler, and the importance of support groups.

April 17, 2019 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There's a difference between what you should say to a child's parent and what you should say to the child

A woman describes additional health problems such as anxiety and hormonal complications that stemmed from an eating disorder that became present in her high school years.

July 14, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

This is your textbook complicated, brittle diabetic

A woman retells her experiences with diabetes and a troubled home life.

January 15, 2020 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I worked as a nurse for 30 years; It's a different perspective looking down than looking up

A former nurse gives unique insight about what it is like to be on the other side of the bedside, especially when dealing with problematic care and troubling doctors.

May 20, 2016 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

As we get older it is extremely important to keep your muscles up...

The storyteller describes his experience navigating the healthcare system while taking preventative measures for colon cancer due to a family history. The storyteller also details finding out about a glaucoma diagnosis and the way he treats it.

February 28, 2023 | 09m 42s
PATIENT STORY

Every time I get prescribed a new medication I do my own research

A storyteller shares their concerns with how adequate mental health care is provided, especially when it comes to making informed decisions about medication.

November 08, 2016 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Acknowledge the reality of the procedure

This story focuses on two instances of communication. In the first, the narrator focuses on communicating with her doctors after she lost her child during birth and the second instance centers around a lack of communication before surgery.

June 29, 2016 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had to take my workload which was like three times as much, because ancillary department were refusing to go in there...

This storyteller shares their pregnancy experience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; a candid talk about disparity of healthcare within underserved communities they saw, challenges with finding their own support, and seeing loved one contract COVID-19.

June 22, 2021 | 28m 03s
PATIENT STORY

…saw him as valuing me as a patient and valuing me for my health.

This storyteller shares their experience with getting treatment after dealing with symptoms related to hyperthyroidism and the ways her health care team stepped up.

April 08, 2022 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had to keep pushing and pushing and advocating for myself

Suffering from stomach pains, this woman was eventually diagnosed with appendiceal cancer which started her on a journey to advocate for herself, lean on her husband for support, and rely on faith.

September 08, 2017 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I saw seven physicians in total

Interacting unsuccessfully with the health care system, this storyteller describes her struggle getting her diagnosis with hyperparathyroidism and the importance of self-advocacy.

December 20, 2018 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...you really felt this sense of isolation.

This storyteller shares the impact COVID-19 has had on his work, physical activity, and social isolation.

May 15, 2020 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Try to find the joy out of each day

A caregiver voices her concerns about the healthcare system during her experience in taking care of her mother.

August 06, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The most difficult part has been waiting for months on end for the health care I believe I need

A patient describes the issues with access to mental health care.

October 18, 2016 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…I think just having that strong support network, that immediate family right there.

This storyteller shares the physical, social, and academic impact COVID-19 has had on them and their family.

February 15, 2023 | 13m 22s
PATIENT STORY

When I found out I had cancer, I thought my life was over…but they caught it in time

A cancer-survivor shares why her healthcare team made a positive impression.

May 20, 2016 | 08m 00s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

..well your double vaccinated just like the president so...

This storyteller shares how the COVID-19 pandemic motivated them to make preventative health decisions and the necessity to get vaccinated.

March 02, 2023 | 08m 17s
PATIENT STORY

Don't be afraid to speak up - I would have had gallbladder surgery for no reason

After getting an incorrect diagnosis, a woman shares the importance of doctors fully evaluating and paying attention to their patients.

November 11, 2019 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The pain woke me up

This storyteller describes her interaction with navigating the healthcare system at a young age.

January 24, 2020 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've had several surgeries for my gender confirmation

A transgender male tells his story of starting hormone therapy and surgeries to confirm his identity.

November 06, 2018 | 40m 07s
PATIENT STORY

If I wouldn't have done my research, I wouldn't have known about it"

After having high blood pressure, this kidney transplant patient was sent to a nephrologist who removed his kidney after discovering a tumor.

August 14, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

" Es definitivamente muy doloroso. Uno siempre espera una atencion medica rapida".[It is definitively painful. I usually wait for quick medical attention].

The storyteller shared their story about back pain and how it changed their work and family environment.

May 31, 2023 | 17m 20s
PROVIDER STORY

...so we need to be creative and work with our immediate support systems or community.

This storyteller shares their experience navigating the health system as a social worker in acute outpatient with ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, getting vaccinated, and the impact on quality and efficiency of care.

February 15, 2023 | 15m 03s
PATIENT STORY

And they look at you, like what's your problem you look fine to me.

This storyteller shares the hardships faced when your partner is diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, and how sometimes the care put in managing someone else health has a major impact on your own.

June 23, 2020 | 29m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…I will never be able to get back what I have lost.

This storyteller shares their health journey after a series of car accidents which have led to 2 traumatic brain injuries, significant memory loss and therapy to manage chronic pain.

February 28, 2023 | 22m 23s
PATIENT STORY

" Dolores muy fuertes me estan dando ahora y a veces no se que hacer". [ I am having so much pain now and sometimes I do not know what to do].

The storyteller shared their story with back pain and how difficult is to manage the pain.

May 31, 2023 | 16m 08s
PATIENT STORY

...and that really pisses me off, because you are a doctor you have million of resources to find out what that is in five minutes...

This storyteller share about being diagnosed with Dystrophy Myotonic at the age of nine; around the sametime her father would be first diagnosed as well.

October 15, 2021 | 35m 40s
PATIENT STORY

You know things like that eat away at you and make you feel bad.

This storyteller shares the challenges that comes when a stroke in the frontal and parietal lobe, impacting dependence and emotions.

April 29, 2020 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I believe there is nobody out there who is completely hopeless

After struggling with mental health for years, a woman tells her story about finding the right treatment to help treat her anxiety and depression.

July 11, 2019 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I just genuinely appreciate getting to do things more.

This storyteller shares how their experience during pregnancy during the COVID-19 Pandemic

April 11, 2023 | 16m 53s
PATIENT,PROVIDER STORY

...it makes me reflect on those doctors and makes me want to change that aspect when I become one...

This storyteller shares their experience seeking health services related to their sexual health and being dismissed by the doctors on their concerns and how these experiences inform how she wants to improve as a health professional.

April 07, 2023 | 18m 42s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

...and he's telling me you need to get somebody in there to help you

This storyteller shares the impact COVID-19 had on her marriage, managing her health, and being a caregiver to a resistant partner.

May 09, 2023 | 20m 55s
CAREGIVER STORY

...I guess it's all based on the idea that people are all gonna die at an early age.

This storyteller shares being a support and caregiver to her daughter with Cerebral Palsy; the lack of early and adult medical management intervention and understanding.

April 27, 2022 | 13m 59s
PATIENT STORY

At the age of 38 I was diagnosed with breast cancer

After finding a lump on her breast, a woman discovers that she has breast cancer and experiences a poor experience by a health provider when first diagnosed.

June 01, 2018 | 18m 38s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

…you don't know how much risk you're at.

This storyteller shares their experience being a caregiver over the last five years and the importance of maintaining your personal health , as she was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 19, 2023 | 21m 27s
PATIENT STORY

"I lost my faith in my normal provider, he dismissed what I had to say, he did not notice, he did not allow me to be a partner in my healthcare knowing what I know and experiencing what I experience."

This storyteller describes his experience with patient provider communication and the importance of listening to what patients are saying.

June 17, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Anything that can protect you…I consider very important.

This storyteller shares how she stayed inform about the avalbility of the COVID-19 vaccines, planning for other medical appointments, and how time has been spent during the pandemic.

June 09, 2021 | 17m 32s
CAREGIVER STORY

Even though they're acting different, you still have to take care of them

A grandson shares his story of learning about his grandmother's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease. As the story progresses, the storyteller describes how the diagnosis affected his family.

September 02, 2016 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There are very real consequences to having unprotected and dangerous sex

This college student details his story about HIV scares and the importance of being well educated when it comes to safe sex because being unaware of your health status can also have mental repercussions such as anxiety and depression.

March 30, 2018 | 13m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We wanted to give him a lot of independence, but safety was first.

This storyteller shares their experience being the primary caregiver to both parents after her father experienced traumatic brain injury and the challenges and changes throughout the years.

June 22, 2023 | 19m 21s
CAREGIVER STORY

It was the most supportive thing, I could tell him anything.

Having been asked to take time off from work due to being a t risk of contracting COVID-19, this shares her experiences when of when her husband begins to have them.

May 20, 2020 | 36m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I eventually found a MS clinic

After being diagnosed for years, this storyteller describes her official diagnosis with MS and its implications.

October 02, 2019 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…and every time I swing normal I'd fall down

This storyteller shares their experience getting treatment and exams for Unilateral Vestibular Hypofunction, after internal bleeding from a head injury.

July 25, 2023 | 20m 46s
PATIENT STORY

We need more of a focus on mental health issues

In this story, a young man explains his ADD diagnosis and journey with it as he's grown into adulthood; he also expresses his concern for therapists who don't accept patients with the diagnosis.

November 29, 2017 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I was basically given some inhalers and told to stop smoking

A woman diagnosed with COPD details her experience with the disease and shares advice for others struggling with quitting smoking and living healthier lives.

May 29, 2019 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...the knowledge and the ability , to get a good nutrition.

After living a healthy lifestyle throughout her life, this storyteller shares her positive experience with the healthcare system. She maintains her overall health through checkups, regular exercise, and good nutrition. She also shares some ways that COVID

November 11, 2020 | 14m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

The tears would run down his cheeks and tear my heart out

A woman shares her story as a caregiver for her husband who had Alzheimer's Disease. She describes how much their lives changed and the obstacles they faced in their daily lives after the onset of this disease.

February 05, 2020 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"If I get a hangnail, I think it's cancer coming back"

A storyteller talks about her stage 2 breast cancer diagnosis, healthcare team, and recovery to be cancer-free today. She also talks about current health concerns of weight management and cholesterol. She ends her story by talking about the impacts of COV

February 22, 2021 | 26m 24s
PATIENT STORY

…I find it ridiculously organized...greedy as far as the corporate structure.

This storyteller shares that they ease in which they were able to maintain their health, isn't what others experience, in fact the healthcare fails everyone.

December 02, 2020 | 44m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"You know that that discrepancy existed, but it just came to light how much..."

This storyteller shares on missing long-distance family, a new diagnosis of scoliosis, and experiences and thoughts during the pandemic.

May 27, 2022 | 22m 47s
PATIENT STORY

I would sit down and drink all 28 bottles.

A man tells his story about recovering from alcoholism and losing years of memories.

December 06, 2019 | 09m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

So it's hard them to process, just because they mentally shut down.

This storyteller shares their experience being a caregiver to their in-laws , as they were both diagnosed with cancer, and how experience within the health care system helped support their husband.

April 11, 2022 | 31m 48s
PATIENT STORY

I was so close to being one of the few female infantry members…all of that’s gone away

A woman describes life with a seizure disorder, expressing her gratitude for her PCP in their effort to get a reference to a neurologist.

November 09, 2016 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Once you've gone through something this serious, you have a new level of compassion for people dealing with scary health issues

In this story, a woman describes life with musculoskeletal disorders, ITP, and a diagnosis requiring surgery on a brain tumor.

March 08, 2017 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…and it just brought a sense of adventure and an appreciation for simple things...

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their family, getting them all vaccinated due to a child at high risk and the emotional and social impact as well.

June 16, 2023 | 12m 52s
PATIENT STORY

Burnt out and checked out

A woman discusses her medical symptoms, a lack of answers, and several other thoughts about the health care system.

April 15, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I think it's just to keep myself and other people safe."

After receiving her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, this participant talks about her experience, side effects, and reasoning behind getting vaccinated against COVID-19.

April 15, 2021 | 08m 53s
CAREGIVER STORY

It used to be that when I was tired I would have seizures; now when I am tired, I am just tired, and it's wonderful

In this story, a woman diagnosed with epilepsy describes her own medical struggles and what it was like balancing that with her child who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy; she describes the stress and daily life of their dynamic.

January 02, 2018 | 22m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I'm grateful that his illness was caught when it was, but there is some sadness that comes with this too

A wife describes her husband's diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer; she details his surgery and its outcomes and how the urologist did not thoroughly explain the implications of the procedure.

October 11, 2017 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Five grand..financial burden...as a nursing student ...straight from the hospital.

This storyteller shares the challenges to getting back on track, after recovering from COVID-19.

April 10, 2020 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It reminds you that you're alive... you are gloriously alive."

The storyteller recounts his experience with Hepatitis C and receiving care from a clinic assisting underserved populations. He also describes how this health story gave him a new outlook on life.

May 19, 2022 | 19m 45s
PATIENT STORY

Continue to be the voice for the voiceless and the face for the faceless

After being referred to a nephrologist from kidney problems, a man shares his story of receiving a kidney transplant after a few complications along the way.

May 18, 2018 | 22m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Everything you go through in life, although it may be hard, makes you stronger

A daughter of two parents who passed from cancer tells her story of what it was like as a caretaker.

August 28, 2018 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie Tooth Syndrome

In this story, a woman describes how she learned to deal with her genetic disease when her doctors weren't familiar with it by starting a support group for others with CMT.

March 18, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I felt like the world was ending; I felt very dark

A woman who suffered from a miscarriage and postpartum depression tells her story of finding the right treatment for her mental health.

October 23, 2018 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It feels so chemical

A woman shares her experience with depression and how it influenced her capabilities as a mother. She shares her advice regarding how helpful medication is when it comes to depression and anxiety.

September 09, 2019 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

This isn't in my head, I hurt.

This storyteller shares his experience with seeking appropriate treatment for Hepatitis C.

April 24, 2020 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The quality of life is more important than length of life.

This storyteller shares their experience with being a self advocate when it came to treatment decisions after total hysterectomy surgery due to uterine cancer.

August 24, 2021 | 19m 04s
PATIENT STORY

"...because sometimes you think you have everything done right, but then it doesn't work."

This storyteller shares their experience receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, along with the great care she has received from her health care team, over the years.

February 16, 2022 | 10m 06s
PATIENT STORY

All I was doing was, dropping people off at the grocery store or dropping people off the gun shop.

This storyteller shares their experience during the pandemic, testing positive for COVID-19 and symptoms, and what they saw whole working during this time.

April 28, 2023 | 19m 48s
PATIENT STORY

...well I want to get it for myself.

This storyteller shares their experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine and how they managed social gatherings.

July 27, 2023 | 06m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Hospitals are for patients, not people

In this story, a young woman describes the impact of growing up in a hospital setting. She talks about relying on a wheelchair, ventilator, constant care and how medical professionals should view hospitals differently.

July 18, 2017 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It's very seldom the family has someone who can stop everything else and devote their whole time to doing everything that needs done

A caregiver shares her experience taking care of an elderly friend and advocates for doctors to improve their care for these patients by not prescribing an abundance of pills and providing resources for social interaction.

May 10, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Like, I'm doing my part I need for a doctor to do their part too.

This storyteller shares the lack of care and concern from health professionals when it comes to the treatment and recovery of a gun shot wound through the hand, has sensation and mobility remain low.

March 30, 2023 | 15m 24s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

I had to think and I shouldn't take it for granted.

This storyteller shares their experience with COVID-19 when their family had it, her husband having had a serious case, challenges for getting their father vaccinated, and picking up new interests and socializing online.

June 13, 2023 | 14m 26s
PATIENT STORY

Bodhi Meditation

A woman experiencing joint pain, headaches, and growth tries to find treatment for her symptoms and discovers that she had a pituitary tumor. She explores alternative treatment with Bodhi meditation to help treat her condition.

November 29, 2018 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I have been successfully treated for depression for the last 23 years, but I feel like I have been depressed my entire life until that point."

In this story, a participant discusses her experience with depression, hip surgery, and a condition that is a precursor to blood cancer. She also discusses the difficulties of getting older and availability regarding the covid vaccine.

February 12, 2021 | 22m 42s
PATIENT STORY

...this is a time where you can work from home...

This storyteller shares her journey through mental health and the challenges with maintenance during the pandemic.

January 06, 2021 | 21m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

…when she was there, she knew that I had her back.

This storyteller shares being a caregiver and advocate for their mother while in a care home, the concern for her care as she contracted COVID-19 Thrice, and the need to communicate with the health care team.

March 09, 2023 | 17m 23s
PATIENT STORY

I was in the hospital for 5 months

Starting with an illness that had flu-like symptoms, the patient's health declined rapidly while being transferred to multiple hospitals to find treatment for various health issues.

July 24, 2017 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...nobody believed I was sick, and I was very terribly sick...

This storyteller shares their experience managing multiple symptoms , treatment changes, while searching for answers and reaching out to more institutions.

August 16, 2022 | 18m 02s
PATIENT STORY

" A veces no puedo hacer nada en la casa porque el dolor de espalda no me deja hacer nada".[Sometimes I can not do home shores because the back pain does not let me do much.]

The storyteller shared their experience and difficulties about living with low back pain; and how hard it is to spend time with family.

June 08, 2023 | 24m 50s
PATIENT STORY

...that's what this study is all about. It is for senior citizens with osteoporosis who have suffered fractures, so there we go I was the perfect candidate.

This story teller shares their experience participating in a research study

August 19, 2021 | 12m 28s
PATIENT STORY

Having OI doesn't make us less of people, it adds to our lived experience

Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a woman shares her journey navigating through medical bias and the genetic variances of OI, in preparation of motherhood.

September 19, 2019 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's the best worst thing that's ever happened to me…brain cancer

The summer of 2016 a woman having fainted while on her lunch break, finds out that she has an malignant brain tumor .

September 19, 2019 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I would say this experience has impacted my perception of doctors...

This storyteller explains how the lack of collaboration between medical professionals , almost exacerbated another health condition; sharing experiences where doctors lacked communication.

March 12, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…technology has been a lifesaver for me.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system throughout managing Type II Diabetes , being on dialysis after kidney failure , and navigating life and health being a transplant receiver.

July 25, 2023 | 25m 11s
PATIENT STORY

So I didn't feel like I had any advocate on the ground with.

This storyteller shares their expeincee with managing their emotional wellness, trying to make connections and figure out school and the impact that isolation had when it came to dealing with kidney stones.

March 13, 2023 | 14m 04s
PATIENT STORY

They understood what I was going through

In this story, a mother shares her experience with depression and anxiety and how these diagnoses changed after her husband's death.

October 16, 2019 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"The potential of the illness hasn't really changed me or changed us, I'm a three time cancer survivor so there's not much that scares me, I'm not scared of COVID but I'm causious."

Storyteller tells her story of being a three time cancer survivor taking chemo therapy during the COVID 19 pandemic.

July 14, 2020 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...it felt like my days didn't necessarily end at 5 o'clock.

A school board therapist shares the different responses regarding COVID-19, from patients , as well as the work and life-style changes.

December 16, 2020 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had to adapt to a new normal

After being involved in a severe motorcycle accident, a woman shares her story about the recovery process for her leg that was injured.

September 05, 2018 | 14m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

...I want to them to understand that mental health is not a joke.

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic with multiple health conditions and the challenges getting health care and addressing a new diagnosis of Hashimoto disease.

June 05, 2023 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

To this day, I never got a diagnosis.

The story teller expresses his frustration with an Emergency Room visit.

May 14, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

My life doesn't circulate around weight anymore

A woman who previously struggled with weight and diabetes receives surgery and describes her process to live a healthier life.

September 07, 2018 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

,,,everything that I just said will be tested at some point and time...

This storyteller shares the challenges of caring for a parent with Dementia/Alzheimer, taking care of yourself and knowing your limits, and the transition into a care facility.

April 06, 2023 | 21m 48s
CAREGIVER STORY

Be proactive versus reactive

A caregiver describes her experience providing care for her husband diagnosed with Lynch syndrome and the removal of pre-cancerous colon polyps and a section of the colon.

December 01, 2016 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The body is very delicate and it needs time to heal

An athlete outlines the injuries he sustained from football and how they prevented him from staying physically active.

October 13, 2016 | 06m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Everybody's pain is different

When originally promised an easy fix for her jaw, this patient still encounters health problems from an implant treatment that lacks proper research behind it.

July 17, 2017 | 21m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I was a thousand miles away and I diagnosed my mother with a heart attack

This storyteller shares her experience caregiving for her blind husband who suffered from alcoholism and depression and her mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer and cardiac arrest issues.

November 03, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

Well I think that I learned it's okay to slow down.

This storyteller shares the impact COVID-19 had on their family, themselves as a kidney transplant recipient and their social life.

March 14, 2023 | 08m 07s
PATIENT STORY

What you do early in life does catch up with you

A mother details her battle with weight loss which was made difficult with pregnancy, PCO, and hypothyroidism; now she plans to get bariatric weight loss surgery.

March 30, 2017 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…but I was never told exactly what it meant...

Thsi storyteller shares their experince with the health care system after a lump was found on her thyroid and the subsequent surgeries after.

July 15, 2022 | 23m 26s
PATIENT STORY

They didn't treat me different because of how old I was

A woman with PCOS describes previous interactions with medical personnel and the process of learning about her diagnosis.

September 23, 2016 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I was kept inside most of the time. I didn't go out and socialize like I normally do.

This storyteller describes their experience receiving the COVID-19 vaccination

June 01, 2021 | 00m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"When you're a case manager, please reach out to the caregiver and find out the needs of the caregiver to properly care for someone else"

This caregiver expresses her frustrations with the lack of communication regarding patient care from other health care professionals, and she voices her desire for healthcare providers to include caregivers when forming a patient care team. She also expla

January 20, 2021 | 29m 00s
PATIENT STORY

" At the end of the therapy everything is the same"

The story teller shared their experience with low back pain and all the different treatments he tried.

February 09, 2023 | 19m 20s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

I didn’t even think about it, it’s just what you do

This storyteller shares their experience with being caregiver as their sister went through breast cancer, leg surgery and end of life care.

February 08, 2023 | 15m 24s
PATIENT STORY

I never got anything or anyone to talk to me about healthy living. I had to research it on my own and I had to figure it out myself.

The storyteller shares their experiences after being diagnosed with lung cancer and speaks on their treatment, experiences interacting with healthcare professionals, and advice for others going through similar situations.

September 17, 2021 | 25m 06s
PATIENT STORY

Still in all this is a nice way that exercise is done and I really like it

This story teller describes what is was like to participate in a research study

August 11, 2021 | 16m 46s
PATIENT STORY

Trust your doctor as best you can

A man receives open heart surgery to replace a heart valve, but a few years later, he experiences heartburn symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of carcinoma and a Whipple procedure.

May 16, 2018 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I could have been sick a lot longer.

This storyteller shares their experience as a study participant after becoming ill with COVID-19 and the symptoms they were recovering from.

September 27, 2023 | 20m 44s
PATIENT STORY

There were quite a few times where I would call home and say, "I can't do this."

Having had childhood brain tumors, with an upcoming brain surgery, this storyteller shares on navigating college and the health system during a pandemic being immunocompromised.

August 17, 2021 | 36m 48s
PATIENT STORY

That was kind of helpful because I didn't really workout or anything.

This storyteller shares their experience with compartment syndrome which causes pressure in the muscles and causes pain.

February 17, 2023 | 18m 21s
PATIENT STORY

"I don't remember what it's like to not be in pain"

After receiving surgery for spinal scoliosis in early adulthood, this storyteller talks about the post-surgical complications of spinal stenosis and nerve damage later in life. He talks about the recovery process of the initial surgery, the symptoms he ex

February 05, 2021 | 27m 05s
CAREGIVER STORY

It started with a misdiagnosis…

This storyteller shares her experience as a caregiver for her mother, how the medical system failed her, and what she learned throughout the journey.

November 20, 2019 | 21m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

This is just a bump in the road

A caregiver shares his experiences of when his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer two times and the importance of having a positive outlook on life. He later shares his own diagnosis of prostate cancer.

December 04, 2019 | 05m 00s
PATIENT STORY

... Initially I waited, just because I'm younger and not really at risk...

The storyteller shares his experience receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and subsequent boosters.

April 18, 2023 | 06m 29s
PATIENT STORY

I feel like a lot of health care professionals give you very surface level cures.

This storyteller talks about reproductive health, the search for options, and the unexpected side effects.

February 09, 2023 | 09m 27s
PATIENT STORY

I got to fight for other individuals who have this disorder

After being diagnosed with a rare blood disorder, his storyteller talks about her journey and the importance of self-advocacy

September 20, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I'm looking at my future and knowing that my arthritis is going to be a challenge

In this story, a woman details her experience with arthritis in her knees and hips, how it's changed her daily life, and what the medical community could be doing differently to better patients health issues.

June 04, 2019 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

In terms of cardio health, I should be good and eat anything I want, but that's not really the case."

This storyteller shares how a severe leg injury and the following surgery, leads to multiple health concerns with severe chronic pain.

May 05, 2022 | 21m 32s
PATIENT STORY

"...they don't even know when they're caring it around."

This storyteller shares their experience managing their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, obtaining the vaccines, and going through rehabilitation due to a n injury of the femur.

October 26, 2022 | 20m 07s
PATIENT STORY

I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance

After being diagnosed as gluten intolerant and lactose intolerant, a woman explains her symptoms prior to the diagnosis and what lifestyle changes she has adopted in order to treat it.

November 20, 2018 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I do feel, sometimes, that if you take one med, you get reactions, and you have to take another med."

This storyteller shares her journey with finding a treatment for GERD and the concerns about certain medical practice related to operations.

May 16, 2022 | 20m 33s
PATIENT STORY

Never trust doctors with your test results, be a manager of your own health

This mother talks about her kidney failure consequential of a genetic disease; she describes her transplant, its effects, and how being a mother throughout this time also played a role in her health.

January 23, 2018 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You know, trying to keep a positive perspective on that.

This storyteller shares the impact COVID-19 had on their education, family, practice, and recovery after testing positive.

March 01, 2023 | 09m 46s
PATIENT STORY

Just do what you can, when you can.

This storyteller shares their journey with Dystrophy Myotonic Type 2, diagnosis and beyond.

October 20, 2021 | 12m 19s
PATIENT STORY

Make sure you get the care that you deserve

This storyteller talks about her experience being a cardiac patient since birth and how it has been different getting medical treatment with the preexisting condition.

October 13, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The physician needs to be more involved

This storyteller describes the struggle finding treatment for his chronic pain, emphasizing the effects of the opioid epidemic and the importance of sincere, healthy patient-physician interaction.

March 01, 2017 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...and it's always taking away from your safety, instead of adding to it.

This storyteller shares the challenges of working as a surgery technician , during COVID-19, and the subsequent changes that have happened.

April 20, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I'm more important than the current project we're working on.

This storyteller shares how she maintains her asthma through yoga and diet,during COVID-19 social distancing.

May 26, 2020 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You shouldn't have to sacrifice your mental health to graduate from college

A woman suffering from depression and anxiety experienced challenges when going through college, and she shares her story of receiving treatment for her symptoms.

June 28, 2018 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I repeat to myself; 'I don't eat that anymore or I don't need that anymore'.

This story teller shars how a lifelong struggle with weight had contributed to mental and physical health conditions and how through bariatric education,she rediscovered self-acceptance, discipline and support.

June 04, 2021 | 23m 07s
PATIENT STORY

I am a work in progress

A patient with Type 2 diabetes shares his insights for finding the right balance between medication, nutrition, and activity.

May 09, 2016 | 06m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...you can have excellant doctors, but they really don't work together as a team."

This storyteller shares their health care experience with aggressive prostate cancer, preventative treatments discussed, medications, inconsistencies of care and long-term health concerns after the surgery.

October 10, 2022 | 20m 58s
PATIENT STORY

...and if it's going to protect your health and the health of other people...

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how working in health care impacted getting the vaccine,

April 27, 2023 | 08m 18s
PATIENT STORY

When I get up in the morning, I automatically get dizzy

This storyteller describes her experiences with two brain tumors and what medical care she's needed over the course of her life; she details one surgery that almost cost her her life and the many communicative health professionals who support her now.

December 21, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

" cuando levanto cosas pesadas no soporto el dolor de espalda" [ I can not tolerate back pain when I lift heavy things]

The storyteller shared their experience about how their life changed after having back pain; and how back pain has limited their life activities.

April 20, 2023 | 15m 20s
PATIENT STORY

"It's scary to go in there and advocate for yourself"

Being in recovery from opioid addiction for six years, a storyteller talks about her experience with doctors and the healthcare system. She explains that she has tried advocating for herself over the years, only to be dismissed by her doctors. Alarming sy

February 24, 2021 | 29m 12s
CAREGIVER STORY

Taking care of her can be a full-time job

This storyteller describes the juggling act of taking care of his fiance who suffers from chronic pain while simultaneously working to support his family and confronting the stigma of pain management within the medical community.

May 22, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

One of the problems I feared was that we wanted to get the vaccine, but it was gonna be a long time before we actually got it.

This storyteller describes the process of trying to get the vaccine for himself and his loved ones

June 18, 2021 | 22m 48s
PATIENT STORY

...concern that they don't wan't to expose their family to any degree of risk...

This storyteller shares their experience when they contracted COVID-19, along with their family, and their thoughts on getting the booster vaccine.

October 13, 2021 | 11m 22s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

…for us to realize that slowing down was important to our long term health.

This storyteller shares what went into getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

March 30, 2023 | 15m 03s
PATIENT STORY

"I've been morbidly obese for most of my adult life.. it's crazy thinking this could all be different..."

This storyteller talks about her experience being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in late adulthood and the changes she has made to her lifestyle to be healthier. She also talks about the lack of prevention measures early in life and the importance to advo

January 29, 2021 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...the more I focused on recovery and not just being in the hospital...

Having received mental health treatment in the late 60's, this story teller shares the way stigma drove not only her empathy in her career, but also to question the integrity of health care providers who hold negative views against mental health patients.

June 22, 2021 | 27m 44s
PATIENT STORY

Prices need to come down

This storyteller explains her problems regarding daily care procedures and health care prices following a knee injury and skin issues.

June 22, 2016 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I don't want other people to miss out on their life.

This storyteller shares their experience when they tested positive for COVID-19 during a trip, the recovery, and the impact the pandemic has had overall.

February 23, 2023 | 12m 55s
PATIENT STORY

It has improved my health, the care of my teeth.

This storyteller shares how holistic health treatment can really impact the quality of life and the impact COVID-19 pandemic had on that reality.

March 01, 2023 | 18m 33s
PATIENT STORY

I just thought it was the right thing to do...

This storyteller shares her thoughts on lifestyle changes when it comes to aging, supporting friends at different stages of their health, and making preventative health decisions .

April 28, 2021 | 20m 16s
PATIENT STORY

Be aware that you will probably go through many...

This storyteller shares how quick her PCP was able to diagnosis neck pain that was progressively getting worse, but the challenges of finding and keep a Rheumatoid Arthritis specialist in a rural area for continued treatment.

May 22, 2023 | 21m 39s
PATIENT STORY

Sitting in a movie theater became so painful that I would have to walk out of the theater

After trying to lift a heavy amount of weight, this storyteller pulled the muscles in his back which eventually lead to his minor scoliosis.

May 02, 2017 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Just being able to work throughout the whole pandemic helped with the mental...with the mental problems that went along the pandemic.

This storyteller shares their experience being a health care worker during the pandemic and receiving the vaccine.

July 28, 2021 | 16m 18s
CAREGIVER STORY

Do what you can, where you can

A woman tells her story as a caregiver tending to a local family friend, who was diagnosed with heart issues and prostate cancer, as well as her mother who lived out of state until her final days.

May 05, 2017 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

In general, it was a pretty easy process. I would say that I mean the hardest process of all of it was to just get the appointment in the first place

This storyteller shares her experiences with the pandemic and getting the COVID-19 vaccine

June 18, 2021 | 07m 27s
PATIENT STORY

I am a really big reader and I haven't been able to focus on reading a lot.

This storyteller shares, having managed a condition since the age of six, experiences another brain tumor and must plan for a emergency surgery; eight years after her last.

October 14, 2021 | 24m 26s
PATIENT STORY

...I'm a much more social person than I've been able to be.

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social life, how they've managed with new interest and research participation, and the obtaining the vaccine.

January 19, 2022 | 15m 29s
PATIENT STORY

"I felt like I was just a case, rather than a person who had not only physical needs but mental and emotional needs."

This storyteller shares her experience with Ulcerative Colitis, including her long time struggles with symptoms prior to diagnosis and her eventual decision to get J-pouch surgery. She also discusses mental health and the need for doctors to consider the

June 05, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I have a rare genetic condition that went undiagnosed for 18 years

A woman diagnosed with a rare genetic condition struggles find to advocacy and support from health professionals.

September 11, 2018 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Arthritis has been part of my life everyday

This storyteller explains his diagnosis of arthritis. He discusses the joint replacements he's had done, the effect of his medications, and the benefit of finding a good rheumatologist.

May 04, 2018 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I spent my 21st birthday getting ovarian cyst surgery

A woman shares her experience getting ovarian cyst surgery as a young adult and a hysterectomy in her 40's.

September 18, 2019 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...It doesn't fix itself."

This storyteller shares how a complicated appendectomy led to adnominal adhesions and the multiple surgeries that have since followed to reduce pain.

June 07, 2022 | 13m 51s
PATIENT STORY

I had an ulcer on my left leg, it opened up and wouldn't heal.

This storyteller shares the period where they had to care long-term for an open wound, and the appointments that led to a diagnosis.

November 18, 2020 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I realized..she doesn't want to know.

This storyteller shares their experience being a caregiver to their mother through stage III lung cancer.

June 29, 2021 | 24m 35s
PATIENT STORY

And making sure I'm putting myself in positions where I'm not stressing about unnecessary things.

This storyteller shares how a second visit to a different hospital led to a diagnosis of Lupus, treatment, and the impact racial bias has on getting prompt treatment.

May 02, 2023 | 15m 15s
PATIENT STORY

Through months and months of rehab I was able to get my strength back

After traveling throughout the world, this man returned home to discover a brain aneurysm; after medical intervention, he learned how to talk, see, and walk properly again.

January 23, 2018 | 20m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PARTICIPANT STORY

"Even if you think you're protected, viruses can get you."

This storyteller shares their experience with COVID-19, the vaccines, research participation and being a caregiver.

December 09, 2022 | 19m 21s
PATIENT STORY

I was too young to know I could advocate for myself

After not having the best experience with her doctor regarding her diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a woman shares the importance of advocating for your own healthcare.

November 18, 2019 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I just sincerely wish that there was more ways to get into studies...

This storyteller shares their experience with having COVID-19 twice and how that led to a research study which would introduce medication that has helped.

October 31, 2022 | 23m 05s
PATIENT STORY

There's just fewer specialist, fewer resources, there's fewer trained practice...

This storyteller explains how access to the competent inexpensive healthcare is a privilege for some, when it should be a right for all.

August 14, 2020 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

What I really feel like is super important; is that there needs to be more through communication amongst all these doctors.

After eight years of managing undiagnosed symptoms, this storyteller shares their health care experiences after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder; Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1.

September 16, 2021 | 30m 42s
PATIENT STORY

"...and get them to actually speak to each other."

This storyteller shares their experience with frequent UTIs as an older woman and seeking treatments with COVID-10 precautions in place. b

October 18, 2022 | 22m 59s
PATIENT STORY

"I think few physicians are out there putting symptoms together"

Symptoms of numbness, muscle spasms, migraines, and frequent UTIs eventually led to a participant's MS diagnosis. She talks about the treatment process, what she does now, and what she wants doctors to understand when treating patients.

March 26, 2021 | 24m 34s
PATIENT STORY

I felt safer, but I still mask...

This storyteller shares their challenges with finding where to get the vaccine being apart of the first eligible individuals.

June 16, 2022 | 14m 11s
PATIENT STORY

...actually pick up the phone and call me back to answer my question, which I wasn't expecting.

This storyteller shares how their concerns with maternal health during their pregnancy, led them to look for a black OBGYN, the loneliness that came with COVID-19 precautions, and their overall care.

February 15, 2023 | 18m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

There's a stigma of mental illness in the medical field

This caregiver tells her story of caring for a husband with myelofibrosis. She goes on to talk about several incidents that happened at local hospitals.

May 03, 2016 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Your health becomes your number one priority

This storyteller describes a series of health events that unfolded because of a rare, hereditary, hard to diagnose blood disorder including thoracic outlet syndrome, intense menstrual cycles, and a collapsed lung.

May 05, 2017 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Everything is affected by the scleroderma, it's just dealing with one issue after another; nobody really knows what's going on with it

A woman diagnosed with scleroderma describes her daily frustrations and frustrations with the medical community as her scleroderma diagnosis interferes regularly with her diabetes.

August 03, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It's not that much fun to do anything any more, we don't have any of the things we usually have together"

This storyteller tells her story about what it is like to live in a residential living facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 10, 2020 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I was just only existing in life, instead of living my life.

This storyteller shares the mental and emotional impact they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the isolation and anxiety they felt , especially having experienced symptoms themselves and visiting the hospital.

June 15, 2023 | 17m 54s
PATIENT STORY

I began to realize my brain just wired differently than other peoples.

This storyteller shares her experiences managing her mental health, as well as a late diagnosis of Asperger.

May 14, 2020 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

…somebody to keep them alive...

This storyteller shares their experience being a caregiver, managing their needs in this new position, and becoming ill themselves.

February 20, 2023 | 19m 33s
CAREGIVER STORY

..is how that diagnosis positively impacted our lives for so much good.

This storyteller shares their experience as a parent with a child experincing unusual symptoms and delayed milestones, whose doctors were resistant to genetic testing for years.

March 26, 2024 | 22m 10s
PATIENT STORY

"...he indicated that should have been done."

These storytellers share their experience with nymph node removals and autoimmune retinopathy, a rare disease, and trying to get prompt and concise treatment options.

October 11, 2022 | 27m 34s
PATIENT STORY

I am a frim believer that you need to go to doctors that listen

This storyteller shares changes while aging, getting a second opinion , and advocating when you aren't get sufficient enough answers.

September 30, 2022 | 25m 29s
PATIENT STORY

"It's a sad statement but a true statement...sometimes it's not what you know but who you know, and it can make a difference."

A storyteller tells her experience as a patient and caregiver and discusses her experiences with back pain/surgery, atrial fibrillation, arthritis, and mental health. She talks about ways that she maintains her health through stretching, appointments, and

January 20, 2021 | 34m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"Annoyed in the Wilderness with this Face."

This storyteller shares the challenges of finding a competent research driven medical team when it comes appropriate rehabilitation for Bell's Palsy: an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis.

March 08, 2022 | 25m 51s
PATIENT STORY

…greater comfort with uncertainty.

This storyteller shares how they managed their health during the COVID-19 pandemic, their thoughts and experience with the vaccine, and with COVID-19 personally.

May 11, 2023 | 19m 38s
PATIENT STORY

It's a miracle that I'm sitting here today

Being a young and active mother, this participant describes the shock of having an aortic aneurysm that resulted in open-heart surgery; she describes her recovery after receiving surgery while learning about her family history.

April 05, 2019 | 18m 42s
PATIENT STORY

I left the western medical world and joined the holistic world

A woman shares her experience recovering from a car accident that took place when she was a teen and the steps she took to shift from western medicine to a more holistic approach.

January 22, 2020 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Everything is a problem when you are not sleeping

When originally suffering with a shoulder injury, a woman describes her experiences struggling with insomnia and finding a personalized treatment.

July 12, 2017 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…I couldn't do it, I couldn’t use my hand-I lost my motor function.

This storyteller shares their experience navigating health research institutions searching treatment options for amyloidosis, as motor functions become more challenging.

June 07, 2021 | 21m 15s
PATIENT STORY

When you become an RN, or any healthcare provider, you need to be nice to the people

After suffering from respiratory cardiac arrest, this woman details the inadequate bedside manner she received and how her overall health and daily life changed because of the event.

October 27, 2017 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I had experienced two different types of death

This storyteller shares her experiences as a caregiver for her father who was diagnosed with MS, her mother who suffered from mental health issues and kidney failure, and a young family friend who is scared of his symptoms.

September 25, 2017 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...if you contract this, the chances of you becoming very sick, is real.

This storyteller shares the measures taken during the pandemic due to being at very high risk of contracting the virus.

August 19, 2020 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...when mistakes are made, it should be an opportunity to correct them...

A genetic disorder passed down through now three generations, leaves this storyteller sharing their experience with CADASIL and the challenges with getting answers when research has not reached far enough.

August 06, 2021 | 37m 24s
CAREGIVER STORY

The person behind the patient

A caretaker elucidates the difficulties of tending to an elderly woman and discusses her frustrations with doctors, nursing homes, and hospice care.

August 05, 2016 | 11m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It was a challenging and emotional time for her and for me

A daughter conveys the emotional time taking care of her mother who was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer and a hip problem; she also explains the importance of taking care of oneself if you are a caregiver.

October 30, 2017 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

What I do during the day depends a lot on the arthritis.

This story teller shares unusual symptoms they had after receiving their second shot of the COVID-19 Vaccine and how only time will tell what long-term effects this could have on someone with Rheumatoid arthritis.

July 16, 2021 | 13m 46s
PATIENT STORY

And as we go forward...that needs to be something we address...

A storyteller shares their experience with the Coronavirus, recovery, and the response from healthcare since the pandemic.

November 18, 2020 | 32m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I would advise people not it ignore pain or self diagnose

A woman experiencing unusual pain visits the doctor and receives treatment for a lump in her breast, and she later is treated for a blood clot and arthritis.

August 30, 2018 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Cancer is a mind, body, and spiritual experience

This man shares his emotional experience overcoming cancer by combining Eastern and Western medications.

September 20, 2019 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I could focus in for a couple minutes here and there, but it was never like I could just sit there and focus for the entirety of class. Which I just thought to an extent was normal

This story teller shares their experience trying to get an ADHD diagnosis as well as what symptoms are like before and after starting medication and how it effected their schooling

January 28, 2019 | 10m 49s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

I didn't want to believe that I was a COVID patient.

This storyteller shares their experience with the COVID-19 Pandemic in other countries and going navigating multiple doctor's treatment in order to address long-COVID symptoms.

April 06, 2023 | 23m 29s
PATIENT STORY

...it just felt like they weren't hearing everything.

This storyteller shares how conflicting medical treatment during a hospitalization for severe GI issues,, finally led to a diagnosis of Amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome.

March 09, 2023 | 21m 29s
PATIENT STORY

...for the rest of my life...I'm wearing a mask.

This storyteller shares the impact of the coronavirus on personal health preventions and the effort put in to receive the vaccine once available.

October 01, 2021 | 15m 39s
PATIENT STORY

It's amazing that it's so inaccessible-the health care system here. ..

This storyteller shares how difficult it was to navigate the health care system in America versus other countries, and the challenges to be a new patient and get medications and treatment.

October 04, 2022 | 21m 06s
PATIENT STORY

The biggest thing that was wrong with me, was that I had absolutely no energy.

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic; finding what kind and where to obtain the vaccine, their personal experience getting the coronavirus and the challenge to get the community and the county to administer at home test.

January 19, 2022 | 22m 52s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

You may not have been in the high risk category... but everyone knew someone or had someone that was.

The storyteller shares her experience as a caregiver to her family during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 14, 2023 | 18m 13s
PATIENT STORY

I was kinda shocked that as women they weren't really taking my pain seriously.

This storyteller shares their exeprince with the health care system dealing with a persistent and growing pain in their abdominals , during a COVID-19 wave, and the lack of care and expressed by multiple doctors from different hospitals.

March 16, 2023 | 20m 48s
CAREGIVER STORY

"And it was beyond pathetic,it was like they didn't care because he was dying."

This storyteller describes her husband's medical care prior to his passing and her role as his primary caregiver.

April 28, 2022 | 22m 41s
PATIENT STORY

"…Mental health is very important when it comes to illness."

This storyteller shares their experience seeking research and health institutions that could help with autoimmune atrophic gastritis, with very little symptoms and the lack of patient mental health intervention.

August 30, 2022 | 18m 45s
PATIENT STORY

The nerves were just building up exponentially the longer I was sitting there waitiing.

A storyteller shares their expeince with birth of their twin children, the unexpected before and after the scheduled birth and the impact it has had.

March 13, 2023 | 21m 05s
PATIENT STORY

"It's a Christmas we will always remember."

In this story, a woman explains that what the local ER thought to be congestive heart failure was COVID-19. She talked about her symptoms, the visit to the hospital for 18 days in the ICU, and the recovery process. She briefly touched on what she is doing

February 26, 2021 | 22m 08s
PATIENT STORY

…I'd only heard of it till I got it.

This storyteller shares how a bike injury in the 70's, led to a diagnosis of Lupus and the following health concerns and treatment journey.

June 15, 2022 | 14m 44s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PARTICIPANT STORY

...because I'm afraid I'm going to get sick.

This storyteller shares their experience with navigating the health care system while managing multiple conditions, the earliest being COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

April 13, 2023 | 20m 44s
PATIENT STORY

"I have no interest in flying, so I'm looking at a 4-5 day trip."

This storyteller managing a series of health conditions where falling was occurring after unknown triggers, little mobility in leg, and early signs of Parkinson's.

August 25, 2022 | 20m 20s
PATIENT STORY

Treat the patient, not the condition

A man stresses communication between doctor and patient after his experiences with atrial flutter and gastroesophageal reflux disease; he wants health care professionals to increase quality bedside manner and treat every person as a unique individual.

January 12, 2017 | 14m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It can be very trying caring for a loved one

In this story, a man details the emotional time he shared with his wife during her final days. He talks about the importance of continuing daily life, therefore requiring aides to come in to help, and relays the heart-rending toll of the experience.

February 27, 2018 | 03m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Characteristics of leadership need to be embedded into our healthcare system

In this story, a woman details her experience giving birth and what the medical field should be integrating into good healthcare.

September 20, 2019 | 13m 27s
PATIENT STORY

We rethink how we re-do healthcare

This storyteller describes her frustrations with how the medical community interacts with hard of hearing patients like herself.

October 28, 2019 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I'm physically a different person, which brings down my emotional and mental health...

This storyteller shares how navigating the care system having been diagnosed with Hashimoto Disease, challenges of that seeking treatment and care during the pandemic with a autoimmune disorder.

September 13, 2022 | 17m 17s
PATIENT STORY

I didn't feel like we were going overboard, but we really tried as hard as we could...where we were least likely to be exposed.

The storyteller shares the experience getting the vaccine and how they have been maintaining their health throughout the pandemic.

July 14, 2021 | 23m 24s
CAREGIVER STORY

It is very easy to move from good healthcare to bad healthcare

A young man describes his experience in a psychiatric facility mentioning being poorly treated and forced to do what medical employees said. As a result, his view of health care systems has become negatively tainted.

June 05, 2017 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It’s been quite a journey, and it’s a difficult condition to live with both from a trying to get treatment perspective and just from what other people think of it perspective.

A woman discusses her years long journey to find a diagnosis for her chronic pain, and the ongoing challenges of managing her condition.

March 31, 2021 | 18m 11s
PATIENT STORY

I had CT scans every three months...

This storyteller shares the curious cases of health symptoms managed , and what his current experience has been like with cancer.

April 24, 2020 | 28m 51s
PATIENT STORY

I actually look forward to my doctor's appointments now

A breast cancer survivor shares her experiences getting diagnosed and treated during her battle.

October 12, 2018 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Through my disability I have the ability to inspire

After finally being 17 years free of cancer, this woman reflects back on the symptoms which lead up to her diagnoses of lupus and cancer; she also explains the consequential struggles with treatment expenses while financially supporting her family.

March 22, 2017 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…and it feels like the people aren’t willing to work with me.

This storyteller shares the challenges of having celiac disease living on their own as a student and advocating for better food handling procedure.

February 09, 2023 | 12m 09s
PATIENT,PROVIDER STORY

I always had to reach out to a supervisor to make sure of the correct answer to give somebody.

This storyteller shares their experience with getting the COVID-19, managing their health when they and their family became ill with COVID-19 and being a health care provider during the pandemic.

April 10, 2023 | 12m 27s
PATIENT STORY

"if it’s anything to do with your stomach or intestines, they say ‘no, go to the ER'"

This storyteller managing a series of health conditions where falling was occurring after unknown triggers, little mobility in leg, and early signs of Parkinson's.

August 25, 2022 | 20m 14s
PATIENT STORY

He got diagnosed with this when I got the Guillain-Barre

Shortly after being diagnosed with her own medical disease, this storyteller took on the role of caring for her husband.

August 22, 2019 | 20m 20s
PATIENT STORY

I didn't really understand the procedure until after I came out of the anesthesia

A storyteller's description of treating chilblain and ingrown toenails with surgery and their subsequent recovery.

October 06, 2016 | 05m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You never know what someone else is going through

A patient born with thalassemia minor describes other health issues including arthritis, scleritis, tendonitis, vocal cord dysphonia, and goiter and identifies the difficulties of living with these disorders.

July 12, 2016 | 05m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We just try to live for the day

A woman's experience taking care of her husband after his ALS diagnosis, and how they take life day by day in handling the situation.

March 14, 2019 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The psychedelic movement is immense; it's exactly what we need.

A man tells his experience of being admitted into a psychiatric unit.

July 17, 2018 | 33m 55s
PATIENT STORY

Listen to your doctor

An MS patient describes his experience with a near-death heart attack unrelated to his MS diagnosis; he describes the great care he's received throughout his medical journeys and the importance of listening to one's doctor.

December 08, 2017 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's very hard for this very common illness to be diagnosed

In this story, a young woman describes her experience with women's health diagnoses such as endometriosis and the importance of emphasizing women's health.

August 21, 2018 | 15m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

They know their culture and their way of life works, so they feel they do not have to depend on Western medicine

A granddaughter and caregiver describes what it's like taking care of her diabetic Laotian grandmother; she emphasizes the impact of language and cultural barriers for someone from Southeast Asia receiving Westernized medical treatments.

November 13, 2017 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"The experts told me I probably had cancer for 8 years prior to diagnosis"

After pushing for further testing from his PCPs, this storyteller finds a doctor that takes his concerns seriously and discovers that he has a rare form of cancer. He talks about his symptoms and journey to finding the right healthcare providers.

April 14, 2021 | 33m 46s
PATIENT STORY

Trial and error

A woman explains the trial and error process of finding a treatment for her vitiligo.

June 08, 2016 | 05m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You need to be able to talk to someone who has the same thing as you

After being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, this storyteller explains the process of being diagnosed and receiving treatment for the respiratory disease.

March 01, 2017 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"If they don't even want to acknowledge that it exists, then it's not a very healthy health care system."

A man describes his experience being chemically sensitive and his difficulty with receiving care.

June 12, 2020 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...hear their concerns and make them feel heard.

There was no question this storyteller would be receiving the vaccine, fortuanate as they were to receive it early,this storyteller shares the anxiety in going to too public places and changing plans.

July 08, 2021 | 19m 19s
PATIENT STORY

When you are sick just accept it...

This storyteller shares their first experience getting treatment for a UTI and not to wait too long on treatment if you feel ill.

February 21, 2023 | 14m 15s
PATIENT STORY

…I've gone to primary care the last couple years, I've seen a different doctor.

This storyteller shares their experience with a rare birth defect, Vater syndrome; seeking specialist, conflicting misdiagnosis and barriers getting into research studies.

November 09, 2022 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Don't pay the total bill

This story touches on several issues with medical billing and provides some suggestions for the health care system.

July 07, 2016 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...that we have never felt like a number.

This storyteller shares how the care of nurses and doctors made supporting her spouse through lymphoma treatment.

April 10, 2020 | 18m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

And I said to them 'This is so above my skill level'.

This storyteller describes the challenges of being the primary caregiver to siblings going through major surgeries and health conditions, while also maintaining her well-being during a pandemic.

August 21, 2020 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I don't think that they could've given me any more support."

This storyteller shares how challenges in her personal life lead to receiving greater support from her health team after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

February 11, 2022 | 21m 53s
PATIENT STORY

"...there were two instances where my stopped breathing woke me up, and I shot up out of bed gasping for air..."

This storyteller talks about his experiences with sleep apnea, including his symptoms, diagnosis, experiences with healthcare providers, and current maintenance using a CPAP machine.

January 22, 2021 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I was surrounded by strangers, and it was difficult trusting them with my care.

A woman reflects on how an infection changed her outlook on care providers.

December 05, 2019 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…because I knew I could affect other people more than it would affect me

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic; testing positive for the Coronavirus , managing the mental and physical health, and staying present with loved ones.

March 31, 2023 | 18m 49s
PATIENT STORY

Let it be what it is going to be

In this story, a mother shares her experience giving birth to her son; she advises other expecting mothers to not listen to the scary stories of pregnancy and let the birthing process take whatever course it needs to despite prior planning.

August 31, 2017 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...really need to find out for yourself, what things are."

This storyteller shares their experience with COPD and other related health conditions

December 06, 2022 | 18m 21s
PATIENT STORY

Disability is a frame of mind

A man shares his story of visiting the hospital multiple times that eventually led to him having an unexpected colectomy which completely changed how he lives life.

June 25, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It immediately starts to effect your mental health because you just want to know what you're dealing with."

A participant talks about his experience with COVID-19, getting tested, his worries with pre-existing health conditions, and his recovery. He also talks about how he maintains his mental health and physical health after his diagnosis.

March 02, 2021 | 25m 15s
PATIENT STORY

"I felt like I had an earthquake inside of me...I have never felt anything like that before"

After experiencing alarming symptoms while traveling, this storyteller talks about her diagnosis with tachy-brady syndrome and her surgery to get a pacemaker. She talks about her experience in getting opinions from various doctors, her recovery, and her a

February 26, 2021 | 26m 23s
CAREGIVER STORY

She was willing to do the research, read studies that are specific to them.

This storyteller is a mother of five, one of them having been diagnosed with Down Syndrome, listen as she shares the medical challenges in care when advocating for appropriate health care.

November 11, 2020 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I'm not positive, I'm not negative, I'm just realistic

This storyteller shares his experience after being diagnosed with acute cancer and his realistic approach towards recovery.

October 23, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I worry about not being able to run anymore

A patient describes life with major depression and multiple sclerosis, touching on communicating with doctors to get the health care she needs.

April 12, 2017 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"En la noches no paraba de llorar, el dolor era constante.[At night I used to cry because of the pain. The pain was continuous.]

The storyteller shared their experience with back pain and how it affected their ability to work and do home chores.

April 03, 2023 | 15m 52s
PATIENT STORY

The best care is being your own advocate

This three-time cancer survivor describes her encounters with colon cancer, endometrial cancer, and skin cancer and how her health care team was always there to support and treat her.

May 10, 2018 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...it was as if she was a new patient...

This storyteller shares her experiences as a caregiver to her loved ones, as well as, the transition to long-term care.

April 16, 2020 | 25m 39s
CAREGIVER STORY

I was totally unprepared for what was happening

A woman's journey through diagnosis and making decision about the right health care.

May 23, 2019 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I have a voice and I decided to use it

A patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis shares experiences of finding a doctor, managing symptoms, and keeping employment while spreading advocacy.

May 17, 2018 | 38m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Know yourself and know what your worth is

A veteran talks about the struggles of coping with the loss of his wife, loss of his motor skills, and loss of his hearing.

June 07, 2016 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It makes it difficult to do everyday tasks, but I've learned to work around it

A young woman describes her experience with a cyst in her wrist which required multiple aspirations. Still dealing with daily pain, she wishes that young people were taught more about insurance and the medical community.

November 06, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"My experience has been positive, but there haven't been a whole lot of answers."

This storyteller aims to find more answers by sharing his story about his blood clotting disorder. He hopes through sharing his experience that doctors can find ways to test for predispositions to blood clotting disorders before it becomes harmful.

March 22, 2021 | 13m 05s
PATIENT STORY

I had two weeks to live…it's now been 2 years since my transplant

A double lung transplant survivor conveys what life was like prior to diagnosis, pre-transplant, and post-transplant. In particular, the story focuses on how the transplant changed his social life and career.

March 24, 2016 | 18m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PROVIDER STORY

And there were so many horror stories out there, of people dying of at a young age...

This storyteller shares their experience has a nurse throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, having to administer vaccines , admit patients with COVID-19 and how they care for themselves in response to what they saw.

February 01, 2023 | 21m 51s
PATIENT STORY

I think it changes us in how we appreciated interactions with some of our friends.

This storyteller shares how he has coped with social isolation, during COVID-19 social distancing, being at-risk.

April 21, 2020 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Understanding that having the procedure was only a small part of the larger picture.

This storyteller shares the positive impact a program has had on managing her health, and prepping for gastric sleeve surgery.

April 28, 2020 | 18m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We all have expiration dates…and his was just a little bit sooner than everyone else's

In this moving story, a father details what it was like taking on the caregiver role for his son who was diagnosed with glioblastoma; he explains their daily life, interactions with nurses, and the emotional distress of his son's final days.

February 27, 2017 | 11m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

My story is about being a caretaker

In this story, a woman shares her experience as a caretaker for father, brother, and mother; she explains the importance of taking care of yourself while you focus on the health of others.

May 10, 2017 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I have learned to be very careful about who I tell what is wrong with me

After a freak accident, this woman suffers from TBI and details how her daily life has changed. She also describes the difficulty of finding support from family and medical personnel.

August 28, 2017 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It was a really great way to do some exercises regularly and it was the fact that I was part of the study. It was a responsibility

This story teller shares her experience being a part of an exercise study and the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic during the study

November 11, 2021 | 12m 55s
PATIENT STORY

Everyone has to choose their own best treatment

A nurse shares her story about undergoing a laminectomy for her herniated discs and consequentially getting an infection; she conveys the importance of discussing emotions with your doctor and the need for patient advocacy.

June 23, 2017 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I feel for people that aren't retired, cause they don't have the time for this.

This storyteller talks about their experience with the health care system trying to get appropriate testing and treatment for what they suspect to be a muscle issue and the time spent to get it.

February 27, 2023 | 17m 59s
PATIENT STORY

" Estoy cansada de tomar medicamentos, pero tengo que poner de mi parte ponerme positiva".[I am so tired of taking medication but I have to stay positive]

The storyteller shared their experience living with low back pain; and how their life has changed since being diagnosed with back pain.

April 13, 2023 | 20m 05s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PROVIDER STORY

I just helped the workers as much as I could.

This storyteller shares what it was like during the COVID-19 pandemic, to care for a husband, themselves, and and a health care provider.

May 04, 2023 | 13m 13s
PATIENT STORY

...not being near or around your partner or live in your own home is very difficult.

This storyteller shares the way the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their life and how the vaccine mitigated the more severe symptoms of COVID, when they were unexpected faced with someone with COVID-19.

October 13, 2021 | 13m 19s
CAREGIVER STORY

Kidney transplant is only a treatment for a disease, not a cure

A caregiver shares her story of her son's health declining because his kidney function started to decrease after having extremely high blood pressure, and genetic testing determined a kidney transplant was the only treatment for his condition.

May 30, 2018 | 29m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...so I know now that I have to rest me body.

This storyteller shares their five year health journey to diagnosis for Cardiac Sarcoidosis; while the only consistent symptom was fainting, as heart failure became likely.

August 24, 2022 | 20m 18s
PATIENT STORY

I was heavily using any type of opioid

This storyteller describes how her life took a complete turn after conquering her opioid addiction.

September 20, 2019 | 20m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

She was so dehydrated they could barely get a needle in her.

This storyteller shares their health care system when their daughter was hospitalized for pneumonia and the desions made to advocate for the health and safety of their child.

November 09, 2022 | 13m 48s
PATIENT STORY

The Student Health Center

A student remembers a particularly troubling instance with a Student Health Center.

June 21, 2016 | 03m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I felt like my whole identity was gone when I was first given the diagnosis of MS

After suffering odd symptoms, this storyteller was diagnosed with MS and now shared the impact of good healthcare when managing the disease

September 20, 2019 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Every step you can take to remove dollars

A storyteller describes his experience with a subdural hematoma, how two hospitals helped him, and how billing caused an even greater problem.

April 24, 2019 | 18m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It's difficult for a caregiver to give a shot to a loved one

A man shares his experience being a caregiver three times throughout his lifetime. He emphasizes the importance of of patience, understanding, and love.

October 23, 2019 | 11m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

They wanted to make sure she really needed it

A mother recounts her experiences with her daughter's congenital health problems and how her health journey.

August 19, 2019 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I enjoy someone that will break things down to me

This storyteller describes life with diabetes, expands on issues with the expense of insulin, and expresses gratitude for doctors willing to honestly communicate health issues.

December 08, 2016 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…and people were kind of scrambling to get toilet paper.

This storyteller shares their experience getting COVID , being asymptomatic, having to find emergency accommodations to quarantine, the challenges to get tested, and eventually getting the vaccine.

April 27, 2023 | 12m 25s
CAREGIVER STORY

She kept getting sicker and sicker

A daughter details her role as a caregiver for her mother who was battling diabetes ketoacidosis and the decision to go to the emergency room without insurance; she also discusses what daily life is like taking care of a loved one with type 1 diabetes.

June 26, 2017 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...because it doesn't seem anybody's watching what's going on, at all.

This storyteller shares how lack of communication between healthcare professionals led to the amputation of their father's leg during a visit to the hospital that also led to getting COVID-19 and how unsanitary care homes contribute to illness.

April 28, 2023 | 11m 42s
PATIENT STORY

"...not just looking at bloodwork, but looking at me."

This storyteller shares their journey trying to obtain a diagnosis with very little sympotoms that soon progressed to recurrent respiratory issues and weight loss ;Hashimoto's disease.

September 07, 2022 | 26m 44s
PATIENT STORY

The knowledge of the patient is very important

A woman who suffers frequent migraines describes how she copes with the reoccurring pain by combining traditional treatments with Western medicine if needed; she also details the daily changes she's had to make to best accommodate the pain.

August 16, 2017 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I continued my trip around the world

A patient talks about life with heart issues, prostate cancer, and a torn quadricep.

June 24, 2016 | 06m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

Take a moment to think back on all the little things...

This storyteller shares their experience with COVID-19, and caring for aging parents, dealing with grief and loss with patience. and empathy.

March 13, 2023 | 23m 37s
CAREGIVER STORY

Everything we do revolves around how is it going to affect her health.

This storyteller shares their experince with being a caregiver and support to their wife, diagnosed with stage one breast cancer , and as the years progressed its returned and spread to stage four.

February 13, 2023 | 22m 09s
PATIENT STORY

I've ironically become more positive

After enduring years of pain, this storyteller was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and explains her journey with the disorder.

August 28, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Just listen... It's not that hard to be a decent human being... and if you're a doctor, you signed up to take care of us.

The storyteller shares her experience navigating the healthcare system in order to receive a Fibromyalgia diagnosis. It took her a very long time and many tests to be diagnosed.

March 20, 2023 | 10m 03s
PATIENT STORY

Always follow-up and get a second opinion

A woman receives treatment for ovarian cysts when she received a second opinion regarding her symptoms.

July 09, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

That's the worst thing you can do with a person with a disability is to have their value not matter, to act like they can't do for themselves, to act like they are disabled. Meet them where they are,

This stroyteller shares her story of what her experiences are like being legally blind during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 28, 2020 | 27m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Lymphoma has reared its ugly head again

A woman shares her story of having concerning symptoms that showed that lymphoma has reappeared, and her doctor recommended a medication that has now given her side effects.

June 12, 2018 | 21m 40s
PATIENT STORY

I noticed I could do over 200 bicep curls with the 6 lb. weight with my left arm, and I could only do 15 with my right arm

In this story, a man details his symptoms and consequential problems with diagnosing him with multifocal motor neuropathy and a paralyzed vocal cord.

April 28, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

..very attuned to pain, but not to what I call function.

This storyteller shares their health care experience when it comes to Spinal Stenosis surgery and recovery.

November 09, 2022 | 20m 09s
CAREGIVER STORY

For about two and a half years I was in excruciating pain

A patient describes her experience with a herniated disk which resulted in a successful microdiscectomy.

November 29, 2016 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...COVID, having it twice especially, mad e my conditions a lot worse.

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their academic path, getting vaccinated, and becoming ill themselves, as someone who is immunocompromised.

May 08, 2023 | 23m 37s
PATIENT STORY

“...I literally had to beg, I had to get urgent referrals…”

This storyteller shares their experience navigating the health care research system, at the beginning of COVID-19, after being diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome; an autoimmune disorder.

August 31, 2022 | 26m 53s
PATIENT STORY

...it made it harder for us to go out and explore things with her.

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic during pregnancy ,having gestational diabetes, and obtaining the vaccine.

June 23, 2023 | 16m 20s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

If I'm having shortness of breath, why am I leaving the doctor's office.

This storyteller shares their experience visiting the OBGYN seeking answers for their menstrual cycle concerns- the physician and staff dismissive of related symptoms and navigating the health care system as a black woman.

April 11, 2023 | 25m 52s
PATIENT STORY

Nobody ended up helping him the way he helped other people.

This storyteller shares the harrowing experience of a family member passing due to COVID-19, while also caring for her mother from afar.

April 15, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The world will look better to you

This storyteller describes her corneal transplants as a result of Fuchs' distrophy

September 19, 2019 | 05m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

We’re still learning, we’re still trying to figure out everything.

This storyteller shares the challenges during COVID-19 pandemic, after the loss of her sister, recovering from severe COVID-19 symptoms, and taking preventative measures while out.

February 08, 2023 | 23m 17s
PATIENT STORY

Now that I've spent the time and the money, I'm really excited.

This storyteller shares the challenges of seeking mental healht treatment for anxiety, and the transition into tele-health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 17, 2020 | 19m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"Dad has a stroke."

A woman describes her caregiving experience dealing with her father who suffered from a stroke, explaining the frustrations and positives takes from communicating with doctors and nurses.

April 14, 2017 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I think that's the most hurtful thing in seeing everyone kind of disregard the masks and the hand washing is that it feels like they're disregarding me and the worth of my life as well"

A woman living with multiple health conditions describes her experience in quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 23, 2020 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

If there is a reason I am still left on this earth, it is to help

First thinking that she had sinus infections and allergies, a woman's doctor discovered that she had Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and she shares her recovery process.

May 21, 2018 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I noticed that I was rapidly losing height

A woman rapidly losing height experienced extreme pain in the lower back and left leg, and she needed surgery after the diagnosis of scoliosis to relieve her nerve pain.

August 08, 2018 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…because he didn't have the time to research it, and he didn't want to put his neck out for me.

This storyteller shares that despite a quick diagnosis, after having been sick and struggling to breath for several months, damage to the lungs and kidneys instigate lifelong lifestyle changes and frustration getting the health care to help.

September 22, 2022 | 22m 32s
CAREGIVER STORY

If I wasn't with her everyday, then I was with her every other day

In this story, a man details his experience of losing his girlfriend due to kidney problems. He discusses the importance of psych wards being readily available for hospital patients as well as "mobile med" options for at home care.

August 18, 2017 | 11m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"Am I going to be a caregiver or a spouse?" - It's a tough thing to do

A caretaker and wife describes her troubles differentiating her roles while caring for her husband who suffered from diabetic complications, a spinal cord injury, and an organ transplant; she notes that the medical team seemed to be understaffed.

July 17, 2017 | 13m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It's important for someone with dementia to have an advocate

After years of being a caregiver for her mother with dementia, a woman shares her struggles to get doctors to communicate with one another.

October 09, 2019 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…I prefer COVID and not tinnitus...

This storyteller shares how they were visiting the US during the COVID-19 pandemic, received the vaccines, and is now managing tinnitus.

April 04, 2023 | 16m 34s
PATIENT STORY

The more I knew, the more healthy conversations I could have with my doctors

In this story, a woman details her medical journey with breast cancer and endocarditis resulting in two heart valve replacements. She emphasizes the challenge of switching health care insurances.

May 10, 2018 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They won't even want to be in my shoes for 15 minutes.

A man talks about the struggles he has had to endure because of his neuropathy.

January 27, 2020 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've become everyone's mystery patient.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system starting at the age of 12 having been diagnosed with depression and compounded by the loss of their father, the impact of long term memory, and seeking old and new treatments.

October 07, 2022 | 27m 14s
PATIENT STORY

I can't even stand the smell of wheat

A man expresses his opinions about gluten and its influence on physical health.

March 09, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I learned that things aren't always easy

In this story, a woman describes a successful IUD placement and positive support from doctors and nurses after a minor complication.

April 10, 2017 | 10m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

You've got to be an educated consumer

This storyteller describes her interactions with the healthcare system and emphasizes the poor interactions with her family's general practitioners.

January 13, 2020 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I have no support system

In this story, a woman describes her experience being a caregiver for both her husband, who recently underwent an amputation and her daughter, who is dealing with various health issues.

April 05, 2019 | 16m 16s
PATIENT STORY

"I live my life day by day now...I don't know what's going to happen"

A storyteller explains alarming symptoms that have not been able to be resolved by her healthcare team. She explained negative experiences while trying to find someone who will listen to her concerns. After having multiple surgeries, she still finds herse

February 24, 2021 | 21m 17s
PATIENT STORY

What makes me vulnerable makes everyone vulnerable

A patient describes her experience that started as severe abdominal pain and diarrhea which led to getting her gull bladder removed and discovery of what was thought to be a lesion on the pancreas.

January 25, 2019 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Getting the test felt amazing, to get a positive result, it was insane just how justified I feltfor having stayed at home for so long and be so adamant about it.

This story teller tells his story of having COVID-19, his symptoms, and the difficulties he encountered trying to obtain a COVID-19 test.

May 28, 2020 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It dawned on me a few months after I was over all of this that I could have died, and I didn't, and I'm very fortunate for that."

The storyteller tells his experience with being diagnosised with COVID-19 and how it affected his life.

July 13, 2020 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...the access to scheduling a shot or scheduling an immunization was just terrible for most people.

This storyteller shares their experience obtaining the vaccine as a retired pediatrician and the lasting changes made during the pandemic.

June 24, 2021 | 16m 14s
PATIENT STORY

I'm not the type of person that's gonna allow my doctor not to listen to me.

A story on how a woman finds herself advocating for her community to get on top of their health, by empowering them to speak when they feel overlooked by medical professionals.

September 19, 2019 | 11m 00s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

"...and that was uncomfortable, that I couldn't do that as easily."

This storyteller shares their experience with finding a new PCP, increased exams with new biopsy report, and recovering from COVID-19 being immunodeficient.

January 25, 2023 | 15m 07s
PATIENT STORY

I'm scared... why did this happen

In this story, a woman shares her roller coaster-like health journey and how she's been able to manage it all.

September 19, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

When it comes to prostate surgery, it is critical to not only think about the patient, but their significant other

A man diagnosed with prostate cancer shares a few stories about his interactions with the medical community including poor insurance coverage and life-altering effects following his surgery.

October 18, 2017 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...as we're talking about health rather than illness, that's a good thing.

This storyteller shares how commiting to a life of having a positive outlook, doing the things you enjoy, and taking the time to educate yourself on current health related materials, will lead to sustainable healthy lifestyle.

June 18, 2020 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Do you things for yourself

A stroke survivor illustrates what treatment was like post-stroke and the long road that was recovery.

July 20, 2016 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Apparently they thought I was dying

When recovering from surgery, a woman was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and had additional procedures performed to fix the damage from the complications.

July 10, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...causing this much pain, that there's still not an answer to.

A storyteller shares the effort of managing pain when solutions don't seem to be readily available.

July 21, 2020 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They just don't understand the difficultly level of being an extremely low-income person and having health issues at the same time

In this story, a woman describes her high-stress job catalyzing daily pain since struggling with weight loss; she emphasizes healthy diets, weight loss resources, and good communication with doctors while on a low income.

May 04, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Don't just write them off...listen to them

After suffering from a gunshot wound, this storyteller talks about the stigma of her injury and how turbulent her treatment has been.

November 06, 2019 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's helped me physically and emotionally. Physically in the sense of strengthening my muscles, motivating me to do even more physical activity.

This story teller shares their experience as a research participant aw well as the impact of the pandemic and life events on their participation, and how participating has helped them

September 10, 2021 | 14m 50s
PATIENT STORY

'… and that you know what's going on and just make decisions that are best for you."

This storyteller shares their health care journey with PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) after having managed and did some research, finally got the diagnosis and the challenges of seeking health care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 26, 2022 | 20m 39s
PATIENT STORY

You have to work twice as hard , when you' get older, to be half as healthy.

This storyteller shares their health journey with Nelson syndorme, anaging mental and physical healht during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 15, 2022 | 23m 21s
PATIENT STORY

…and I've argued with every doctor I've ever encounter, argue with me over this allergy.

This storyteller shares the challenges and actions of physicians when she discloses her allergies and how resistance to change treatment delayed breast cancer treatment, all during the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 01, 2022 | 22m 26s
CAREGIVER STORY

I want to give her every support that I can because she was there for me

After changing careers, this storyteller talks about the importance of mental health and family support after his wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's; he also describes devoting some of his time to a cancer clinic.

August 30, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

10 lessons I learned from an autoimmune disorder

A women shares the important lessons she has learned after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder.

November 18, 2019 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"If that's CSF this paper will turn a bright green" and she threw it into the puddle of liquid on the floor and it turned a bright green

This story teller describes his experiences with severe concussion and heavy metal poisoning

July 30, 2021 | 25m 23s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

You know you wanna have a quality of life where you can remain mobile

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system after rapid onset Rheumatoid Arthritis, an aggressive form that also impacted their mothers life too.

March 16, 2023 | 19m 07s
PATIENT STORY

I first began to start getting hot and cold flashes...

The storyteller shares his experience during the pandemic and receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

April 25, 2023 | 07m 56s
PATIENT STORY

I expected to feel better; I feel diminished

A previous patient describes her experience going through several surgeries consisting of a D&C, hysterectomy and a thyroidectomy.

February 08, 2017 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

My son let me know he was addicted to heroin

A concerned mother describes her son's experience with addiction and trying to find the needed support to overcome this challenge.

April 03, 2019 | 07m 42s
PATIENT STORY

For 50 years I had no problem, now I have a birth defect?

As an active swimmer, this man notices some symptoms that brought him to various doctors to find proper treatment for a nerve condition.

October 08, 2018 | 18m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

I think people kind of let their guard down a lot

This storyteller shares an update on the impact of COVID-19 in the last six months; dealing with loss, managing their health, and being a health care provider.

May 09, 2023 | 08m 12s
CAREGIVER STORY

Use. The. Support systems, not just one, many.

This storyteller shares how her faith and love for her father not only helped her as a caregiver, but as a person as well.

August 24, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...allow the patient to be more proactive in their own healthcare."

This storyteller shares significant moments over the years, where she was seeking health care and her most recent experience when it came to emergency surgery.

May 16, 2022 | 23m 59s
PATIENT STORY

"...I was happy to do that, because I thought I was dying. I had told my sister..."

This storyteller was diagnosed with Relapsing-remitting MS, wherein she experienced weaken leg stability , frequent falls and difficulty swallowing and a hospital that didn't do any sort of testing.

August 26, 2022 | 18m 36s
PATIENT STORY

…spend everyday really in way that is like meaningful and purposeful...

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, getting the vaccine, and testing positive for COVID-19.

May 01, 2023 | 10m 10s
PATIENT STORY

"I've gone down to the bottom of the barrel and brought myself back up without much support."

This storyteller talks about her trauma with narcissistic abuse from a close peer throughout her life. She talks about how she discovered it, received help, and what she does to support her mental health. She shares her want for more support and resources

March 02, 2021 | 25m 45s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

"...it was very personal every step of the way."

This storyteller shares their experience with being a research participant after contracting COVID-19 and how personal and positive the experience has been.

December 21, 2022 | 16m 24s
CAREGIVER STORY

I never got to say the things I wanted to say to him

This storyteller describes her caregiving experience while tending for her husband with Parkinson's disease.

November 11, 2016 | 11m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

If you can't do it, and you can't breath, then you can't help anyone first.

This storyteller becomes a support for their sister after a suicide attempt , and shares the challenges of beign there fro a loved one during a pandemic.

August 12, 2020 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...for the entire scope of the pandemic, I've only ever received two COVID tests.

This storyteller shares their perspective and experience with COVID-19 pandemic as they begin nursing school.

June 16, 2021 | 18m 49s
PATIENT STORY

"Every single day, I learn something new from my seniors"

This storyteller talks about her experience being a caregiver in the pandemic. She explains the process of getting the COVID vaccine and how it impacted her daily activities. She also discusses how she stays happy during these times.

February 16, 2021 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...push to get seen."

This storyteller shares their experince with COVID-19 , vaccines, and Boosters, with the doctors concerns about their asthma and blood oxygen levels.

January 23, 2023 | 18m 40s
PATIENT STORY

Remember, people are looking to you to have a little compassion and kindness

This storyteller describes her exceptional and poor interactions with different medical professionals, her intense fear of new medication, and her desire for new research and better treatment of those with breast cancer.

June 12, 2017 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Addiction kind of takes you to a place where yo don't even think about that when your're sick

This storyteller describes how their recovery from addiction began after open heart surgery, and the challenges of staying disciplined about your health.

January 10, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It is your body and you have to get to know it

After eating one day, this woman found herself at her PCP getting diagnosed with gastroparesis; she details how daily life has changed and how she has been her main source of support coping with the illness.

May 19, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

My experience and my knowledge along the way has helped me and saved my life

After receiving a hysterectomy, a woman experienced complications of severe infection, kidney pain, a blood clot, and more post-surgery.

August 24, 2018 | 26m 44s
PATIENT STORY

Don't become hysterical

A woman describes her experience with a bronchitis diagnosis and a possible aortic aneurysm diagnosis and emphasizes staying calm throughout the process.

January 28, 2019 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I never thought childbirth could be life or death, but even nowadays anything could happen

In this story, a mother shares her experience giving birth to her son. She describes her high-risk pregnancy, emergy cesarean section, time in the ICU, and how hospital staff could improve care for patients like herself.

February 19, 2018 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...it was something I felt as though I fell off the Earth.

This storyteller shares being a two-time Ovarian cancer survivor, treatment, management, and finding community when you most need it.

June 07, 2022 | 09m 45s
PATIENT STORY

So I said 'Thank you, but no thank you'.

This storyteller shares the changes you should make when it comes to severe high blood pressure, and the alternatives you can explore when wanting to reduce pharmaceuticals and after surgery.

May 25, 2020 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I spent the majority of my life feeling inadequate..."

After experiencing symptoms that made her feel like a failure, this storyteller receives the diagnosis that she has ADD. She explains the process of finding a provider, her other struggles of anxiety and depression, and having to advocate for her care.

March 10, 2021 | 29m 12s
PATIENT STORY

You're not even allowed into the doctor's office...

This storyteller shares their experience after contracting COVID, health concerns that occured, and the impact the pandemic has had on their life.

September 03, 2021 | 17m 32s
CAREGIVER STORY

The health of the care giver is just as important as the health of the person they are taking care of

A caretaker tells her story about taking care of her father that was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and is now coping with his recent passing.

August 29, 2018 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...the only two positive interactions I had amongst that entire staff.

Having been dealing with severe symptoms of endometriosis since middle school, this storyteller shares their journey after recieving a diagnosis and the continuing challenges in care, whether through

December 14, 2020 | 33m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I do wish more medical professionals are at least cognizant of the money going on

This storyteller describes the long process of getting a diagnosis while not having insurance or much help from medical professionals.

September 04, 2019 | 12m 18s
PATIENT STORY

I don't know if I'll ever get any...see improvement...

This storyteller shares their challenges with managing their health for diabetes and the changes they've had to make, as well as trying to get relief for their neuropathy.

May 24, 2023 | 13m 33s
PATIENT STORY

You know I'm not the doctor, he's the professional.

This storyteller shares their experience finding a primary care physician and adhering to medication when it came to their diagnosis of Hepatitis C and Liver Disease.

February 28, 2023 | 19m 40s
PATIENT STORY

They make you feel like you are the only patient they have.

This storyteller shares how a routine mammogram during COVID-19 showed positive for cancer and managing their health.

July 11, 2022 | 21m 09s
PATIENT STORY

And of course the problem is nobody's heard of what I have.

This storyteller shares their experience with navigating the health care system managing multiple health emergencies and a rare disorder, Schnitzler syndrome.

September 08, 2022 | 27m 44s
PATIENT STORY

I had a week to live at one point

A patient describes life with HIV and the difficulties receiving adequate health care and financial support with treatment costs, but he expresses gratitude for the strong relationships with doctors.

March 02, 2017 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had a normal life

After receiving ADHD and bipolar diagnoses later in life, this storyteller recounts what her life was like with mental health diagnoses and her experiences with healthcare.

February 28, 2020 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Constantly reminding myself that I'm not being lazy...

This storyteller shares their experience getting the COVID-19 vaccine, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had while managing a autoimmune disorder, and the dealing with long COVID-19 symptoms.

April 10, 2023 | 13m 05s
PATIENT STORY

..to continuously remind myself, that it's nothing I did...

This storyteller shares their health care experience when it came to Renal disease, dialysis, and having had a transplant, staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

February 22, 2023 | 21m 50s
CAREGIVER STORY

There was a big cultural disconnect

A woman describes her poor interaction with medical professionals during her grandfather's hospitalization consequential to a fall.

November 10, 2016 | 16m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

...I was hoping and praying that wouldn't be me.

This storyteller shares their experience managing symptoms when that tested positive for COVID-19.

March 20, 2023 | 22m 54s
PATIENT STORY

"...I wanted to go someplace, is it worth risking your life for?"

This storyteller shares their experience with obtaining the vaccine and five boosters and the precautions they've made since the start of the pandemic, due to their age.

November 14, 2022 | 21m 12s
CAREGIVER STORY

What's the prognosis?

A caregiver’s story about needing clear communication about prognosis from medical professionals, in the setting of a patient’s terminal cancer diagnosis.

September 15, 2016 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...if you can't find it, you can't get rid of it, and it get's worse.

This storyteller shares the various health care they've had during COVID-19. and changes implemented.

December 18, 2020 | 15m 02s
CAREGIVER STORY

The people, the doctors, the staff here are at our disposal to help support, we're thankful that they're here

A son describes the emotional difficulties of taking care of his father with brain cancer but highlights his families satisfaction with their current health care system.

May 26, 2016 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...it's difficult...it turned my life upside down.

This storyteller shares the experience with a rare genetic disorder;Having fallen into a canontonic coma after a seizure, listen as the storyteller shares their journey through their generational health history and getting involved in research.

August 02, 2021 | 43m 40s
PATIENT STORY

We are all neurodivergent to some degree

This storyteller describes his chronic depression and anxiety disorders and their implications on daily life; he also talks about the stigma of mental illness and advises those with mental to be patient during the process.

September 18, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It really has strengthened my basic core muscles as a senior

The storyteller shares their experience participating in an exercise study

December 07, 2021 | 07m 05s
PATIENT STORY

...you don't have anybody to help you, don't have anybody to talk to.

This storyteller shares their challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic while seeking housing and assistance , navigating programs and deciding to work on recovery from substance abuse.

April 17, 2023 | 16m 56s
PATIENT STORY

…initially I never thought that i would live 13 years post-surgery...

After a car accident leads epileptic shock, severe concussion and to the discovery of a brain tumor--this storyteller reflects over their journey since then.

January 15, 2021 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Reaching out for help isn't always the most helpful thing

A woman admitted to the hospital after struggling with mental health told her story of getting treatment for a recent trauma while having negative experiences with healthcare.

August 07, 2018 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

… isolate yourself for like two weeks...

This storyteller shares the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had while in college and their decision on getting vaccinated or not.

June 20, 2023 | 17m 54s
PATIENT STORY

It got worse before it got better

This patient describes symptoms leading up to the removal of a section of her bowel after being diagnosed with drug-induced lupus post-op.

December 19, 2016 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It very quickly could have become a danger to my life and my baby's life

In this story, a mother describes her birthing plan not going as planned due to preeclampsia. Yet she describes a positive experience with the hospital because they kept in mind her original birthing plans.

August 14, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

We don't really talk about the next step

While balancing taking care of her sister and mother, this storyteller details her decision to get a hysterectomy and how the medical community influenced her family.

July 22, 2019 | 19m 03s
PATIENT STORY

I've been allowing myself to make life changes

A patient details how the opportunity to have gastric bypass surgery was influenced by her lifelong journey with compulsive eating, dieting, and faith.

July 08, 2016 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Disconnected from my body

A young woman describes the story of her diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. While she struggled initially for doctors to listen to what she was saying, she finally received a proper diagnosis and has had incredible experiences with her multiple doctors

April 01, 2019 | 22m 19s
CAREGIVER STORY

He began having issues he didn't realize he had

After the death of her mother, a woman takes care of her grieving father who suffered a stroke and gradually declined in health while living in various nursing and hospice facilities.

July 10, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I could not drink liquids any longer without having to worry about them coming back up

A woman unable to keep food or liquid down and discovers that she has a rare condition known as achalasia after visiting various doctors for a diagnosis.

June 06, 2018 | 28m 49s
PATIENT STORY

I was the first of my family that was diagnosed and nobody else knew...

This storyteller and their spouse shares the health care journey with a diagnosis of Dystrophy Myotonic and the implications for the future in such cases.

October 15, 2021 | 29m 41s
CAREGIVER STORY

When you take care of a senior the bureaucracy is not easy and overwhelming

A previous patient describes his issues with communication among health care professionals.

January 11, 2017 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You've got to work on it everyday

A woman diagnosed with diabetes explains her lifestyle changes and provides advice to ensure she lives as healthy as possible.

December 04, 2018 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I am not as timid in the future

After consistently experiencing the same symptoms, this storyteller describes how he went to a cardiologist and finally had a pacemaker implanted.

July 24, 2019 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had 15 seizures in the course of three hours

In this conversation, a storyteller explains life with epileptic episodes including symptoms and treatment.

February 24, 2017 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

To live with my heart issue is at times scary

Diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, this woman describes her experience with the defect and advocates for more financial and mental support for others diagnosed with heart defects.

February 08, 2018 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Seek a second opinion

With a challenging childhood, a woman shares her struggles with mental health after being diagnosed with C-PTSD

September 25, 2018 | 13m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"If something happens in their life, they have no window of opportunity to get the second vaccination...they have to start all over again."

In this story, a caretaker tells us about her experience caring for her husband, father, and mother throughout the years. She closes the story by explaining the frustrations getting accessibility to the vaccine in her hometown.

March 03, 2021 | 23m 06s
PATIENT STORY

I really had to learn to appreciate my own company.

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic; the decision to get vaccinated for community and elders, challenges with getting health care while in pain, and how misinformation caused tension between families.

May 19, 2023 | 19m 34s
PATIENT STORY

It just seemed like everything took so long to get done.

This storyteller shares their experience being hospitalized during the pandemic after an Ischemic stroke.

July 27, 2023 | 07m 10s
PATIENT STORY

I began noticing a trembling in my hand

This storyteller describes his symptoms leading up to and the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

January 18, 2017 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…so I thought it was valuable to be apart of the data.

This storyteller shares their participation in COVID-19 research and the importance of and quick efforts from his employer to get him and his spouse vaccinated.

April 25, 2022 | 09m 53s
PATIENT STORY

"My Philosophy is, you take what comes, you deal with it, and you move on."

The story teller tells about her experiences with lung cancer and keratosis and the side effects she experienced as a result of radiation treatment.

July 01, 2020 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

That was not so much the case with the surgeon I dealt with.

After an exam leads to a diagnosis of prostate cancer, this storyteller shares the challenges of having your body change, and seeing the impact it had on previous generations.

April 27, 2020 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I literally woke up one day with sores, and you are telling me essentially to chill out and that I don't need medication"

A storyteller talks about her experience being African American while seeking proper care from the healthcare community. She talks about the impact of race on the quality of care she has received and her steps to ensure she has a doctor who fully listens

January 27, 2021 | 18m 02s
PATIENT STORY

I didn't have the flu at all for the last two years and I kind of like that.

This storyteller shares their health journey with hereditary anemia or Thalassemia and their experience with COVID-19.

November 10, 2022 | 17m 38s
PATIENT STORY

..and I never for a second doubted that I made the right choice.

After a biopsy reveals breast cancer, this storyteller shares how finding the strength to set boundaries on treatment can be empowering .

April 15, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've learned to advocate for myself

This storyteller describes her diagnosis with transverse myelitis and its physical and psychological effects on her body. She emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and healthy personal interactions as she copes with intense daily pain.

February 23, 2018 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Don't demand too much of yourself...

This storyteller shares the anxiety experienced as reaching old age has made aware their health, this coming alongside the COVID-19 pandemic.

August 18, 2021 | 31m 56s
PATIENT STORY

If you look at me on the outside I look great, but inwardly I'm a mess

Already diagnosed with transverse myelitis, this woman describes how she experienced more symptoms which lead to an MS diagnosis. She focuses on the struggle to find a specialist in-network and the costs of medications.

May 11, 2018 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"And I think that this is why some people die in their sleep and no one knows why."

After the families persistence on how this storyteller sleeps and snores, their concern finally pushes her to join a sleep study; this is a story about sleep apnea and health.

May 05, 2022 | 14m 27s
PATIENT STORY

…'thank you', I don't have to come in here and explain every single thing...

This storyteller shares how the onset of symptoms in their 30's led to being diagnosed with a rare mixed connective tissue disease, and feeling their symptoms were minimized while flares left her debilitated.

September 15, 2022 | 26m 43s
PATIENT STORY

It feels like I have to do a lot of defending and that's frustrating

A man struggling with mental health has a difficult time finding a support system that understood what he was going through.

August 06, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It didn’t really have a name, except some called it dermatillomania

This storyteller details what his life is like as a male with a unique body dysmorphia.

May 20, 2019 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It is so isolating

A caregiver's heartbreaking story of caring for her ill husband and the feelings of isolation that accompanied her on her journey

May 28, 2019 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

At one point I was on so much different medication I was a walking zombie

A woman shares her complicated health history with an emphasis on the benefits she experienced when shifting from medication to naturopathy.

August 07, 2019 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I don't think anyone even knew what was wrong with me.

This storyteller shares the pain experienced while working with specialist to find away to address their health conditions.

July 28, 2020 | 29m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We do have good healthcare out there, but it isn't always perfect

A mother recounts her family's emotional experience with her daughter's rare brain tumor and the importance of parental advocacy and instinct.

April 10, 2019 | 18m 16s
PATIENT STORY

"Do what you need to do to protect yourself"

This storyteller shared her experience living through the COVID-19 pandemic as someone who is HIV positive and caring for her aging mother.

June 03, 2020 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I got to know them so much better

In this story, a woman details her experience taking care of her father who was diagnosed with cancer and mother who was diagnosed with MS.

August 22, 2019 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...this is really good, to get something relatively low risk.

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, getting ill while vaccinated and how they've been managing their health.

March 24, 2023 | 12m 30s
PATIENT STORY

I have a much better outlook on life and am excited...

This storyteller shares the impact having multiple health conditions has on family, managing symptoms, medications, and the getting a better lease on life when treatment works.

May 02, 2023 | 21m 19s
PATIENT STORY

This is four months later; I still don't have the stamina and I still don't have the wind and the breathing capacity that I had prior...

This storyteller shares their experience with the vaccine and the impact the pandemic has had on their health.

June 30, 2021 | 17m 22s
PATIENT STORY

Don't listen to everything a doctor tells you

A woman diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes struggles to find doctors and medications to treat her, and she has changed her lifestyle to no longer have diabetes.

July 27, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

He had a BRCA1 mutation, we didn't pay a lot of attention to it at the time

A woman describes her story about discovering she was positive for the BRCA1 gene and how the diagnosis impacted her decision to receive surgeries.

February 22, 2018 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"No puedo hacer mis quehaceres del hogar ni compartir con mis hijas" [I can not do the housework anymore. I can not play the same way with my daughters.]

The storyteller shared their experience with back pain, how it has affected his ability to do housework, and how it affected his social life.

February 28, 2023 | 19m 24s
PATIENT STORY

I thought I was going to get better on my own

In this story, a patient walks us through the process of discovering their fatally low hemoglobin levels. The story continues with the subsequent diagnosis of clear cell cancer.

July 05, 2016 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I didn't feel like I had to drive the bus

In this story, a mother shares her experience with her daughter's Down Syndrome diagnosis and how her medical team has helped throughout the years.

September 20, 2019 | 22m 31s
PATIENT STORY

If they showed a little bit more empathy, that it would be...people would heal faster.

This storyteller shares her concerns with the lack of empathy she received from a few medical nurses while recovering from surgery for a pace maker.

May 06, 2020 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I should have been in a coma

A woman experiences some alarming symptoms that lead to her diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, and she describes the treatment plan and support received in order to manage her disease.

July 17, 2019 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There is more than medication that can fix a patient

A woman diagnosed with epilepsy details daily life living with her neurological disorder.

March 17, 2017 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…how uncertain everything felt...

This storyteller shares their exeprince with the health care system after a traumatic injury left her admitted to the hospital, the multiple tests and exams, recovery and follow-up treatment.

May 15, 2023 | 15m 13s
PATIENT STORY

…quick process through and it was very impressive…

This storyteller shares their experience obtaining the vaccine; challenges, concerns, and after response.

June 14, 2021 | 09m 27s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

I don’t think I was as appreciative as I am now when I look back.

This storyteller talks about their mother and the impact she had on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the importance of fresh produce, and supporting family .

February 08, 2023 | 12m 50s
PATIENT STORY

Doctors need to be aware of their staff

This mother of four talks about her experiences giving birth to preterm twins after a high-risk pregnancy. She details what life was liking during that time and what life is like raising children on the spectrum.

February 28, 2018 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...'you do not have to suffer, here is how you avoid being in pain.'

This storyteller was in their 20's when diagnosed with early onset arthritis, listen as they share their the health decisions they made and the challenges keeping a health team.

August 11, 2021 | 27m 49s
PATIENT STORY

…and I had to tell everyone, 'if you eat do not touch my child'.

This storyteller shares their experience caring for their child who, at 6 months, was diagnosed with FPIES (Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome), trying to get doctors to understand, and remaining diligent when it comes to new foods.

June 07, 2021 | 22m 18s
CAREGIVER STORY

Cost Cutting, not Care

An infection turned into a frustrating and scary situation while a patient looked for answers.

February 06, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

…take care of them in their time of need.

This storyteller shares their exeprince with COVID-19 as their whole family became ill and at that point they had taken the vaccine and the reaction after the shot.

June 06, 2023 | 21m 48s
PATIENT STORY

You can’t change the hands of the cards you've been dealt

A man diagnosed with neuroblastoma as a child talks about the complications of the treatments that treated his cancer as well as other experiences as an advocate for people with disabilities.

August 03, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

If you suspect COVID test them right away. If not still test them.

This storyteller shares their experience being hospitalized showing signs of Rhabdomyolysis from getting COVID-19;being on dialysis, recovery and treatment.

March 09, 2023 | 10m 14s
PATIENT STORY

I have always felt that being honest with my doctor was the best strategy.

Listen as this storyteller shares the ways in which they maintain their health condition as they've aged.

November 13, 2020 | 14m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I can't effectively care for another person, if I'm not also caring for myself.



June 24, 2021 | 22m 50s
PATIENT STORY

"She could smell the death on her"

A breast cancer survivor describes keeping a positive attitude during her health journey which lacked financial and familial support; she also details her positive interactions with her health care team.

May 31, 2019 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"...but recommend some other things that we could do, that would improve is quality of life."

This storyteller shares their experience navigating the health care system and multiple specialists as a caregiver to their spouse who is diagnosed with Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis.

September 02, 2022 | 22m 55s
PATIENT STORY

It is the hardest thing I have done mentally

A young woman shares her experiences with reflex neurovascular dystrophy and how a hospital team aided in her physical and mental recovery, and not letting it take control of her life.

March 18, 2019 | 18m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I wonder and worry about individuals who don't have an advocate

A caregiver tells her story about taking care of her mother that had osteoporosis and fell, and they found it difficult to manage the expenses when recovering from her injuries.

August 13, 2018 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Everything was going pretty well until 31 weeks and then I went into pre-term labor

A mother describes her pregnancies, focusing on her first child who was born preterm and had to stay in NICU. She wishes doctors would discuss symptoms and the pregnancy process in more depth for mothers going through the process.

February 19, 2018 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've been living with MS for almost 5 years

A patient elaborates on her diagnosis with MS and her experiences with various healthcare providers and treatments.

December 04, 2018 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There are times when I can't hold anything or lift anything

In this conversation, a woman recounts life with extended concerns originating from her diabetes diagnosis.

March 01, 2017 | 12m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

So we're still in this situation that we're living sorta on the edge all the time.

This storyteller shares personal health concerns and their spouses health during the COVID-19 pandemic-emergency surgeries and navigating being high risk.

August 11, 2022 | 23m 10s
PATIENT STORY

I noticed symptoms that I wasn't used to before

A mother shares her experience with her cholecystectomy and now a painful hernia which interferes with her career as a nurse.

May 12, 2017 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The patient has to make the doctor hear them

A fibromyalgia patient describes the ins and outs of their life as a patient.

July 13, 2016 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"We decided to move across the country due to the coronavirus"

The storyteller shares experiences about the coronavirus pandemic, vaccinations, and pregnancy during the pandemic.

October 01, 2021 | 21m 24s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

This was the closest thing to suffering I ever had.

This storytellers shares her experience with the health care after a mammogram revealed pre-cancerous cells, her health care teams response after 13 years in remission, levels began to increase, and caring for her husband with aggressive lung cancer

May 23, 2023 | 22m 02s
PATIENT STORY

I think the best part is that I have benefit from the exercise as far as balance and strength

This story teller shares their experience participating in a research study how the exercises have helped them and the impact of the pandemic

September 23, 2021 | 16m 50s
CAREGIVER STORY

To successfully care for her was the most noble, meaningful work I have ever done

This storyteller describes her experience as a caregiver for her sister who was diagnosed with and passed away from multiple myeloma.

February 22, 2017 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They're trying to get us to change, but in reality they should be helping us change the world around us

A man tells his story of finding out and living with multiple diagnoses.

December 13, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PARTICIPANT STORY

…break down in simple language, so people will understand more.

With a chronic health condition and diabetes, this storyteller shares their experience with getting the COVID-19 vaccine and how receiving health care has changed.

February 16, 2023 | 18m 07s
PATIENT STORY

"There's some people I haven't seen for a year...I've had to do things differently."

This storyteller talks about what it was like getting the vaccine to protect himself against COVID-19. He briefly talks about his preexisting condition of epilepsy, how life has changed since the pandemic, and what he does now to stay safe.

April 30, 2021 | 06m 50s
PATIENT STORY

My biggest struggle is that I have depression, but health care providers disbelieve what I say

A young woman with depression details how her mental health disorder has affected continuing her education and how medical professions exercised the same stigma about mental health issues while she was trying to get treatment.

February 06, 2018 | 29m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had control over the remission and recurrence process

A patient diagnosed with ovarian cancer shares her journey of going through surgery and chemotherapy while making lifestyle changes to live a healthier life to prevent reoccurrences.

June 11, 2018 | 19m 49s
CAREGIVER STORY

The system doesn't work medically or with the law

A young woman describes the story of her diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the struggle to be heard.

April 01, 2019 | 16m 32s
PATIENT STORY

If they're not communicating to each other, they both kind of have an obligation to find out why.

This storyteller shares their experience caring for their parents, the types of care they're receiving and as a patient managing multiple health concerns.

August 09, 2022 | 21m 51s
PATIENT STORY

"...because I need the expertise, but I also need to be looked at as a whole."

This storyteller recounts her experiences on a variety of different medications and the difficulty in discovering a treatment plan that worked for her.

May 10, 2022 | 20m 28s
PATIENT STORY

Some of those tests are NOT fun.

Having been dealing with a longstanding cough with no known cause, this storyteller shares how they were diagnosesd with Gastroparesis--having been managing the symptoms for years, as well.

April 25, 2022 | 14m 14s
PATIENT STORY

Possibilities weren't communicated with me

Surviving partial thyroid removal, open heart surgery, a duodenal ulcer, and diabetes are just a few of the things this patient discusses, in addition to advocating for patients within a health care system.

June 15, 2016 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

She's trying to help me understand

In this story, a woman describes her frustration finding answers and pain management for joint pain caused by tendonitis; she also reflects on severe migraines she had as a teenager which also required self-advocacy.

April 10, 2019 | 18m 02s
PATIENT STORY

My mom had a very difficult time in isolation... she was just angry and frustrated that she was there...

The storyteller describes her experience having an elderly mother in a senior care facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 21, 2023 | 21m 48s
PATIENT STORY

If you suspect that you need help, then you are probably correct

After struggling to find help for mental illness for a few years, a woman finally finds the resources needed.

May 14, 2018 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I am very capable of managing whatever the consequences may have been.

A woman shares her luck when it came to surgery before the COVID-19 stay at home orders, her familial relationships having grown stronger for it.

May 28, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The doctor said it was all in my head -it is, that's where my brain is -but that's not what he meant

A woman shares a lifetime of negative experiences within the healthcare system, along with being dismissed by doctors and not having her voice heard.

September 25, 2019 | 19m 26s
PATIENT STORY

It's very hard when you live alone and you don’t have the support

Without a support system at home, this storyteller describes her struggle with mental health issues and how the medical community helped.

July 11, 2019 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They made you feel like dirt

In this story, a woman details her 30-year long struggle trying to get insurance and pay off medical bills while fighting reoccurring bronchitis.

March 29, 2019 | 19m 27s
CAREGIVER STORY

Running numbers with no explanations

A man shares his grievances with hospital billing and also discusses his wife's arthritis.

May 27, 2016 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"No podia Caminar tanto" [ I could not walk much]

The story teller shared their experience with back pain and how mindfulness helped with the pain.

December 20, 2022 | 16m 49s
PATIENT STORY

Your way of living, your day-to-day can be changed pretty quickly.

This storyteller shares the impact of COVID-19 on relationships and the motivation to get vaccinated.

March 06, 2023 | 06m 12s
PATIENT STORY

I don't know anyone else my age who has ever had the whooping cough

A patient analyzes their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of pertussis, also known as whooping cough.

November 04, 2016 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They didn't treat me like I was a part of my own treatment

This patient describes miscommunication with healthcare professionals that caused a severe panic attack and the mistreatment she received from doctors.

November 17, 2016 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Everything I relied on was gone when I was having the seizures

After being diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy, this storyteller describes her life living with the arduous disorder.

March 08, 2017 | 20m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"...and getting it on paper, so that your loved ones know what your wishes are..."

This storyteller shares their dual experience being a health care provider within the ICU and contracting COVID-19 themselves; the necessity of end of life plans and spending time with loved ones.

February 15, 2022 | 24m 43s
PATIENT STORY

...and fortunately I did not have not one single problem...

This storyteller shares their experience navigating the health care system, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, as a retired nurse.

June 17, 2021 | 08m 14s
PATIENT STORY

"...such a sigh of relief...to know someone had given it a name."

This storyteller shares their their healthcare experience as they're health started to exhibits symptoms similar to a stroke; Parsonage Turner Syndrome.

October 20, 2022 | 24m 12s
CAREGIVER STORY

…but just making it easier to know what to do.

This storyteller shares being a support and caregiver to there child, who was dealing with grief and loss, and the stigma when it comes to being open with your community about mental health.

June 09, 2022 | 21m 44s
PATIENT STORY

COVID sort of changed everybody’s life, I think. I didn’t have to be at the classes, so my routine was disrupted but then I could do the exercises any time of the day or night, and I did. But the cama

A research participant describes her experience in an exercise intervention study. She shares her positive experience as part of the study and how her experience changed during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

April 13, 2021 | 15m 10s
PATIENT STORY

Well after I got the shot I had no side effects, except this...

This story teller shares their experience with the vaccine and the symptoms they experienced afterwards, and how the pandemic impacted their life.

July 14, 2021 | 13m 25s
PATIENT STORY

...you have to be responsible of your own health.

This storyteller shares how a resistance to adding medication to manage High Blood pressure, with diet and exercise, without the support/advice from their doctor.

May 07, 2020 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Day 117 after the seizure

A woman shares her story of having seizures followed with symptoms of asymmetrical pupil dilation, cognitive problems, and migraines while seeking treatment from various doctors to find relief.

June 13, 2018 | 18m 22s
PATIENT STORY

Medications may fix one thing but harm another

This storyteller illustrates the difficulties of balancing multiple medications simultaneously.

June 22, 2016 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The hardest thing was taking her to the hospital and leaving her there.

This storyteller shares their expeirnece with COVID-19 infection through themselves, and the loss of their mother, and the impact the pandemic has had on quality of care in the health institutions.

August 13, 2021 | 27m 02s
PATIENT STORY

No one is going to advocate for you like you are

A woman diagnosed with bilateral popliteal artery entrapment conveys what life is like with her health condition and how it has changed following many tests and surgeries.

September 11, 2017 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I wasn't going cause I seen people kept getting sick.

This storyteller shares why they eventually decided to get the vaccine, the importance of doing your own research and checking in on your community.

February 27, 2023 | 12m 33s
PATIENT STORY

…in the visit he didn't even speak to me

How an accident at work led to a drawn out legal and health battle with workers compensation and a doctor's negligent care.

January 06, 2020 | 28m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've been at this for 11 years now trying to figure out what's wrong with me

A woman unfairly treated for 11 years with health professionals describes her life changes following the diagnosis and offers advice for people going through the same thing.

January 22, 2020 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

50 years of being a Type 1 diabetic

A Type 1 diabetic tells his experiences of managing his condition throughout the years as well as how the quality of care has increased as doctors have gained more knowledge on how to treat it.

August 13, 2018 | 25m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Whenever you know that they are going to die, then its almost like a sacred privilege to help them get to the other side

A woman shares her experience caring for her friend with brain cancer.

December 13, 2019 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

..probably be a long long time before I just carry on a conversation with someone I ran into outside...

This storyteller shares how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted seeking health care, and also receiving early access to the vaccine through the veterans office.

October 06, 2021 | 21m 08s
PATIENT STORY

...so please love your friends, love everybody who has COVID.

This storyteller shares the impact of having COVID-19; the three months of isolation they experienced due to wariness from family and friends, and the impact it had on their academics and work.

February 10, 2023 | 18m 10s
PATIENT STORY

In the end, the doctor had my best interest at heart

This story revolves around each aspect of a patient's gastric bypass surgery.

September 29, 2016 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Reversing diabetes

Through a combination of healthy lifestyle choices and a strong support network, this storyteller was able to take control of her diabetes.

June 09, 2016 | 16m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

...because they're so use to doing the things they've been doing.

This storyteller shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has not only heightened concerns for her health, but also here work at the time and her relationships.

May 08, 2023 | 11m 25s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

...wearing a mask is pretty important, no matter how much vaccine you got.

This storyteller shares their experince with the COVID-19 pandemic deferred their schooling, getting vaccinated in the US versus China, and symptoms despite vaccination.

February 15, 2023 | 19m 01s
PATIENT STORY

Not only was it a change of my body, but my mindset as well.

Almost five years out from bariatric surgery, this storyteller reflects their emotional reliance on food, how this decision should be a tool through weight loss, and the emotional impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on weight gain.

June 07, 2021 | 36m 45s
PATIENT STORY

Probably as I said the best part for me is it makes me accountable.

This story teller shares there experience participating in an exercise study

October 05, 2021 | 12m 25s
CAREGIVER STORY

In a way, I feel very lucky if I had to have cancer, I feel lucky having this one.

This storyteller tells his story about having Lymphoma and being a caretaker for someone with Diabetes.

May 19, 2020 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've had diabetes for over 55 years

This storyteller describes his lifelong journey with diabetes and other health issues.

September 27, 2019 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

My health story begins when I was an infant

Born with clubbed feet, a man shares his experiences with surgeries and treatments to treat his condition.

September 25, 2018 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I couldn't believe how quickly I gelled with that group.

This storyteller shares their experience with being a participant for a study implementing exercises and resources for people who have broken a bone or are prone to bone injuries.

June 07, 2021 | 12m 03s
PATIENT STORY

For certain medical conditions, speaking to someone was all I need...

This storyteller shares their experience seeking health care specialist after moving, the the challenge of getting an appointment, and what treatment has been like in the meantime.

May 11, 2023 | 17m 58s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

"I don't feel like I'm a patient as much as I used to, I feel like a customer..."

This storyteller shares their experience with finding a new PCP, increased exams with new biopsy report, and recovering from COVID-19 being immunodeficient.

January 25, 2023 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I told them I was in pain and it was like they could not care less

A man who suffers from heart attacks describes his experiences receiving treatment, a doctor who ignored his pain completely during a procedure, and nurses who disregarded patient privacy.

March 07, 2018 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It can be a challenge at times to live with my condition, but it has been my normal for 40+ years

A woman experiencing multiple endocrine conditions talks about how it has impacted her life and how she manages it.

August 27, 2018 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

When you're sick you're weak, but you don't have to be

In this conversation, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer describes her frustration with communicating with doctors.

March 15, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There's a lot of distrust in medicine

Diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, this young woman describes how her health impacted her personal life and what treatments have worked best for her conditions.

July 09, 2019 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"Do some research, take a little bit of time, and they will be a better practitioner because of it."

After having lasting pain after breaking his ankle, a storyteller is eventually diagnosed with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome. He talks about the frustrations he faces while trying to educate doctors about his condition.

April 30, 2021 | 23m 28s
PATIENT STORY

At all costs, quit smoking no matter what it takes

A man describes his experiences while quitting smoking after receiving a diagnosis with COPD, and he briefly explains his life after finding treatment.

June 10, 2019 | 15m 25s
PATIENT STORY

...it's not psychological or just psychological, it's the interaction of all these things simultaneously.

This storyteller shares the limits family will go in advocacy for their spouse and two children diagnosied, in the 80's, with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy.

October 21, 2021 | 29m 27s
CAREGIVER STORY

He said "I don't want anything that will keep me alive a minute longer."

A woman shares her moving experience caring for her aunt who was diagnosed with glioblastoma and her uncle who had ALS and chose a no intervention plan. She talks about daily living in their final days.

December 19, 2017 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"Finally someone is listening to me..."

This storyteller talks about her struggles finding physicians who listened and took her concerns seriously after having symptoms that pointed to Celiac's Disease and thyroid complications. She wants physicians to consider a patient's history and daily rou

January 15, 2021 | 31m 00s
PATIENT STORY

But having a family and being be able to talk about keeps you motivated...

A woman shares her journey with Stage Four Lung cancer , and how an empathetic doctor and strong family support can empower you to have patience with yourself.

June 02, 2020 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The first time I saw that, I was in tears...

This storyteller shares the challenges of recovery after heart surgery, and the mental health aspect of rehabilitation.

April 22, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...if we got the vaccine, with our age, we wouldn't- I don't think we would have made it."

This storyteller talks about the slight challenge of getting the vaccine by phone, changes with social activities, and the concern they had with getting COVID-19 at their age.

February 07, 2023 | 13m 03s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

That the doctors do not really care as much about you as you get older.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system as they've gotten older, caring for her husband who has Dementia, and her thoughts are nutrition and relationship to food.

March 28, 2023 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...are we any more prepared...

This storyteller shares their experince during the COVID-19 Pandemic; the impact it had on scheduled surgery, being isolated, getting vaccinated and experiencing symptoms .

June 15, 2023 | 17m 30s
PATIENT STORY

You tell them one thing and they'll say another.

This storyteller shares their recent experience seeking therapy for depression and anxiety- the initial process and what it has been like trying to get a new, and the impact being a black woman plays in health care journey.

May 09, 2023 | 20m 33s
PATIENT STORY

I live in gratitude all the time

After finding a lump on her neck, a woman was diagnosed with lymphoma and discovered a benign brain tumor that explained her recent symptoms.

August 07, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…I have always been in contact with my family

This storyteller shares how a great health management team and the having loved ones nearby, to visit , was what got them through and getting a vaccine.

December 16, 2021 | 15m 53s
CAREGIVER STORY

It’s a gradual process

A patient emotionally describes his life as a caregiver for various family members. He also describes the stress stemmed from lacking good communication and support from healthcare professionals.

November 29, 2016 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

She is the light of my life and I'm so grateful.

This storyteller shares their diagnosis of endometriosis , after having infrequent bouts of sharp pain, led them to change their diet and activity before surgery and eventually to the birth of their child.

March 07, 2023 | 23m 04s
PATIENT STORY

Our son made an appointment for the first one for us... because it was so hectic. Ya know everyone was trying to make appointments at that time period.

This story shares their experience receiving the vaccine and how they've maintained their health throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

September 30, 2021 | 11m 06s
PATIENT STORY

...and it's still important to try and at least interact with them.

This storyteller shareshavign potentially had COVID, yet was able to get testing because of not having met criteria and her concerns with it.

August 17, 2020 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...whether or not that's a medical person, doesn't matter, stand up for your person.

This storyteller shares their experience with being a support and caregiver to their wife, after she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

September 27, 2021 | 19m 46s
PATIENT STORY

…has never went back to what it was...

This storyteller shares their experience when they tested positive for COVID-19 and some lingering symptoms.

March 20, 2023 | 10m 44s
PATIENT STORY

"They really need the whole picture of somebodies health..."

Having been managing work challenges, this storyteller shares their health care experience and subsequent aftercare after sufferings from a heart attack and longstanding self-management of Restless Leg Syndrome.

February 23, 2022 | 21m 02s
PATIENT STORY

...we've gotten nothing.

With quarantine extended because of COVID-19 , this storyteller shares his experiences with social distancing, medical professionals, and the employment consequences.

May 18, 2020 | 28m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I was just left clueless after triage...

This storyteller describes the multiple instances where the mental health system, did not only fail to provide immediate services and through follow ups.

March 09, 2020 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"So variety, physical activity, intellectual stimuation, inspiration, and spiritual devotion characterized my regimine of self care"

This storyteller talks about his experiences in being a caregiver to his community and what he has done to adapt his lifestyle during the pandemic. He also addresses issues such as food shortages, unemployment, and politics at this time.

July 16, 2020 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I kept ringing the bell and no one would come

A woman tells an emotional story about her time as a caregiver and as a patient in a nursing home unwilling to help her during her recovery after a severe car accident.

December 14, 2017 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

That is when I really realized I was different

A young man explains how he remains positive after suffering three strokes and living with sickle cell and cancer.

November 14, 2019 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"You don't need to wait until you reach a breaking point to ask for help."

After experiencing the painful loss of her mother, a storyteller talks about her journey getting help for depression and anxiety throughout the years. She explains what the process has been like to get a therapist that she feels a positive connection.

March 05, 2021 | 27m 32s
CAREGIVER STORY

I was accustomed to all the responsibilities of a caregiver

In this story, a man describes his roles as a caregiver from a young age until now, emphasizing the importance of communicating with other caregivers and medical personnel.

April 22, 2019 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...cause there aren't any guarantees that everything is going to get worse.

This storyteller shares committing to a health lifestyle with Multiple Sclerosis in connection with complex childhood trauma when your dealing with a degenerative condition.

July 30, 2021 | 22m 47s
PATIENT STORY

"I had been pretty sick for about two weeks at that point, so that was a little frustrating because it was very confusing what I was supposed to do"

Storyteller tells her story about what it was like trying to obtain a COVID-19 test during the pandamic on two seperate occasions and what it is like having epilepsy during the pandemic.

June 23, 2020 | 15m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...and we'll live every moment now until when she goes...

This storyteller shares the joys and challenges of being a parent to a child with congenital myotonic dystrophy; the work of being a parent advocate and the honor of loving a child.

September 22, 2021 | 40m 24s
PATIENT STORY

"This could be signs of a stroke."

This storyteller details two hospital visits where she was diagnosed with strep throat on one occasion and Bell's palsy on the other.

February 13, 2017 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It didn't seem like there was a lot of respect for us

This storyteller describes difficulties after a colonoscopy and endoscopy which resulted in aspiration. She expresses disappointment in healthcare staff.

January 23, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...that I did not go to med school, but I know my body.

This storyteller shares their health care experiences with Multiple Sclerosis, the diagnosis and treatments received prior and after, the impact as it progresses and finding community for treatment accessible treatment options.

August 24, 2022 | 23m 51s
PATIENT STORY

...keep in mind that people are really sick, and don't want to wait.

A storyteller describes the management of her health , when it comes to her diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

July 23, 2020 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

That didn't strike me at the time, but it does seem like a memorable detail now

After finding what started as a blister on his foot one day, a patient explains his story about his complications due to diabetes.

August 27, 2018 | 14m 38s
PATIENT STORY

This is the first time that I've had a doctor listen to me

A woman diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis describes her symptoms and interactions with medical staff, emphasizing how difficult it has been getting the diagnosis and proper treatment at a young age.

May 21, 2019 | 20m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Being a caregiver placed an unimaginable heaviness in my heart

A woman shares her experience being a caregiver for her husband who developed dementia and a multitude of other health issues. She describes what it was like interacting with healthcare professionals as a caregiver.

October 21, 2019 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...and I just feel more better about myself today, than I did in the past...

This storyteller shares their experience since the 90's on managing their HIV; challenges with adhering to medications and finding a medical professional with experience with LGBTQ+ related health concerns.

April 07, 2023 | 16m 21s
PATIENT STORY

I think I've had all the accident I can muster

After a canoe accident, a man had to relearn how to walk, talk, and live after suffering extensive injuries. Later, he faced a massive heart attack and an accident resulting in broken bones, and he shares his stories of recovery.

July 12, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Should I, as a patient, have to be calling pharmaceutical companies?

In this story, a woman describes her difficulty receiving the right pain treatment because of her doctor's office's poor management and insurance company's lack of help; she also advocates for better patient care for elderly patients.

June 13, 2017 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It's in your lap, you have to own the process"

This storyteller tells about his experience with sleep apnea, weight loss and being a caretaker for his disabled sister.

June 09, 2020 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

" Lo que me mejore el dolor de espalda es hacer ejercicios y no hacer trabajos pesados. [ What helps me with back pain is to exercise and not do heavy work].

The storyteller shared their story about how back pain has affected their ability to do simple tasks at home.

May 24, 2023 | 12m 27s
PATIENT STORY

Therein was the beginning of the worst experience I have ever had in my entire career

Usually, at the hospital working as a nurse, this storyteller describes her experience as a patient recovering from a surgical procedure. She details the lack of attention and respect from other nurses.

November 15, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"Everyone was trying to figure out what the right required interaction should look like."

This storyteller shares their experience with COVID-19, getting the vaccines, and the changes they have made in that time.

November 28, 2022 | 14m 25s
PATIENT STORY

It's really difficult, when you're in a depressive episode, to function right

In this story, a woman struggling with depression finds an issue with health care professionals not further testing or attempting to aid mental health problems.

May 15, 2017 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Woah...nobody told me, twenty years of lithium...

This storyteller shares their experience getting treatment for Bipolar disorder , episodes and long-term use of certain medications and what that meant moving forward.

April 15, 2022 | 26m 17s
PATIENT STORY

Do the best you can and have a positive attitude

A woman tells her story about how her habits to live as healthy as possible

August 27, 2018 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Profit-driven rather than patient-driven

This storyteller shares her opinions of drug abuse on a national level and her interaction with it

September 18, 2019 | 27m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"Get to it sooner than later cause everybody doesn't want to go to the doctor"

Story teller describes his experiences with stomach ulcers and gout.

July 01, 2020 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The best medical consult I've had in my life

This story revolves around a patient with a congenital heart defect and his treatment.

June 29, 2016 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It became an acute issue for me 5 years ago

After almost being misdiagnosed, this storyteller discusses her thoughts about chemotherapy and what medical professionals could do differently.

September 25, 2019 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You are your own strongest advocate

A woman shares her recovery and self-care after breaking her femur and discovering that she has cancer in various parts of her body.

May 22, 2018 | 19m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

You become afraid to live your life

A patient suffering from lung and cervical cancer details what she enjoyed about her health care team. Later, she discusses caring for a spouse with heart issues.

June 14, 2016 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

And one of the most important things in schizophrenia, in my own experience, has been insight.

This storyteller shares their experience with the mental health care system after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.

December 15, 2021 | 14m 36s
PATIENT STORY

They should have good hearts being in these fields

In this story, a former EMS employee talks about the internal chaos of the institution and what she would change.

December 11, 2019 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I tested HIV positive in 1995

With a diagnosis of HIV and breast cancer, a woman describes how she has stayed positive throughout her journey.

June 23, 2016 | 13m 00s
PARTICIPANT STORY

"I would say first relax..."

This storyteller shares their experiences with the health care system as they navigated through adulthood; the importance of having a empathetic health care team and outside support.

January 13, 2023 | 20m 29s
PATIENT STORY

"We are very much in favor of the vaccine, we think it is very helpful."

The storyteller shares experiences about the coronavirus pandemic, vaccinations, and experiences with family members.

October 22, 2021 | 14m 09s
CAREGIVER STORY

He's gone downhill ever since

In this conversation, a man describes his role as a caregiver for his elderly father and how he wishes medical technology would evolve.

May 22, 2019 | 10m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PARTICIPANT STORY

I would much rather have dealt with that for 12 hours...

This storyteller shares their health care experiences during COVID-19 with respitatory and autoimmune conditions.

February 17, 2023 | 10m 54s
PATIENT STORY

The best non-support support group

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, this woman describes her life with the disease and the support she received from doctors, nurses, friends, and family.

February 03, 2017 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Their goal was to get me better and get me well. I don't think they knew COVID was around then. They didn't know until about a week or two after I came in.

This storyteller shares theirexperince with the coronavirus and how with the help from a team of doctors she was able get recover through the infection which had lasted nearly 30 days.

September 30, 2021 | 18m 57s
PATIENT STORY

It was very nice to be able to ask questions and not feel like I was taking up their time

After struggling to get an answer for a hard to diagnosis illness, this storyteller expresses her satisfaction with hospital staff.

February 08, 2017 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Whatever they tell me to do, I'm going to do

With the support of her family and the professionalism of psychiatrist, a woman speaks on her journey after being confronted with a diagnosis of manic depression.

September 19, 2019 | 27m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Living with a diagnosis that has no cure

When your health condition changes suddenly, and not only you, but the people around you, must adjust to the lifestyle changes- a woman shares her journey on being present in life and helping others.

September 19, 2019 | 12m 00s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

"At the end of the day...there's a feeling of doing something that benefits a whole lot of people."

This storyteller shares their experience with research participation wherein having tested positive for COVID-19 he was provided medication for intervention.

December 21, 2022 | 11m 38s
PATIENT STORY

"Cuando tengo dolor no pongo atencion a nada mas" [ When I have pain I do not pay attention to anything else]

The storyteller shared their experience about how she has lived with back pain and how difficult it is to do things around the house and be with family and friends.

April 25, 2023 | 16m 24s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

…but how to really promote health.

This storyteller shares their thoughts on managing emotional and physical wellness during the COVID-19 Pandemic and getting involved with vaccine related research.

March 13, 2023 | 15m 33s
PATIENT STORY

Sometimes when you go to the hospital or doctor, you're frightened.

This storyteller shares their experience obtaining the vaccine injection and navigating the health system that has not always provided the best care and attention to patient needs.

August 17, 2021 | 27m 26s
PATIENT STORY

Get involved with everything, go to the task force

A man with sleep apnea talks about what he likes and what he dislikes about his care and treatment.

May 19, 2016 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

A back rub was the last thing I needed, I needed a diagnosis

A woman describes her lifelong journey with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and her struggles to live a normal everyday life.

September 11, 2019 | 20m 24s
CAREGIVER STORY

Not only do you need to take care of your family member, but you need to take care of yourself

A father and caregiver shares his story about looking after his son and details why he thinks HIPAA laws should be modified when taking care of someone with mental health and addiction issues.

September 15, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I would say the biggest challenge in the beginning was managing your own fear...

This storyteller shares what they've experienced as a family nurse practitioner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

July 30, 2020 | 36m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You have to ask questions to gather as much information ...

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system, over their lifetime, from having a congenital heart disease, frequent hospital visits, to becoming a nurse himself.

September 29, 2022 | 30m 35s
PROVIDER STORY

..so it was interesting being a physician that was now a patient on the other side of the table.

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic as a physician, teacher and the impact it had on personal changes and transitions.

April 17, 2023 | 21m 27s
PATIENT STORY

Listen to your doctors and family members

A man receives surgery to replace a catheter, and he has seen many positive changes in his life as a result.

June 15, 2018 | 10m 02s
PATIENT STORY

I am ashamed to say that I am a part of the medical profession

An RN voices her concern with how medical professionals in her area are ignoring her disease and disregarding her emotions and well-being as a patient.

March 08, 2019 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

If something is going wrong, catch it as fast as you can.

The storyteller shares their diagnosis of Paget's Disease, being involved as a patient in research, and other health treatment following.

June 08, 2022 | 20m 05s
PATIENT STORY

Just being more cautious in general towards it.

This storyteller shares their experience while getting the COVID-19 Vaccine, the challenges of seeking dental care during that time, and having COVID-19.

February 13, 2023 | 14m 01s
PATIENT STORY

"it's a question of understanding one's vulnerability, one's frailty, and trying to anticipate them and plan for them."

This storyteller talks about how supporting loved ones has been something he has done all his life, and that when it comes to health, you have to be present and take preventative steps to maintain the life you want.

June 25, 2020 | 24m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You are not your diagnosis, you are a person

In this story, a woman diagnosed with Legionnaires' Disease describes the importance of faith and positive thinking during her health struggle and how others should find hope during their health battles as well.

January 19, 2018 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

He didn't explain the after effects, what I could reasonably expect to happen to my body as a result of the operation

After being detected to have high PSA levels, this man was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer; he explains doctors not fully informing him about effects following surgery and radiation.

July 28, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...the healthcare professionals taking better care of the patients.

This storyteller shares the changes she's seen in the healthcare system over the 80 years of her life, and the decline of empathetic doctors.

May 25, 2020 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

So I think it was like a combination of things that really helped.

This storyteller shares their experience seeking health services for depression and the kind of professionals that helped with treatment.

May 01, 2023 | 07m 59s
PATIENT STORY

I really don't know how people who aren't knowledgeable about the health care system manage this sort of thing

A woman receives a knee replacement after facing juvenile idiopathic arthritis since she was young, but she experiences difficulties along the way.

August 16, 2018 | 28m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It would be easier on patients and doctors if everyone had quicker and faster communication

Symptoms of pain, swelling, and color changing in the hands caused a woman to contact doctors and get blood work done for the diagnosis of mixed connective tissue disease.

June 26, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT,PROVIDER STORY

…they knew more than I could ever see in their chart.

This storyteller share their experience being a vaccinator at elderly care homes, receiving the vaccine themselves, and health care experiences prior to the pandemic.

February 13, 2023 | 20m 15s
PATIENT STORY

I am very grateful I am no longer in that much pain...

This storyteller shares the mishaps and surgeries following a diagnosis of Spinal Stenosis.

July 17, 2020 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Do what you wanna do, when you wanna do it, don't wait.

This storyteller shares what their health care journey has been like since their first diagnosis of breast cancer till their now third time with stage four breast cancer and finding supports through them.

May 24, 2023 | 13m 51s
CAREGIVER STORY

In a lot of ways, you become your own physician

A man's shares his story of providing care to his wife and discusses the challenges he faced along the way.

November 05, 2018 | 26m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I'm the one in control of how I feel and what I do

A woman diagnosed with lupus took it upon herself to look up and research her symptoms when doctors failed to diagnose different symptoms; she promotes self-advocacy once finding out she had temporal arteritis and polymyalgia.

April 12, 2017 | 13m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There has been no easy part of being treated for the depression

A man who has suffered from depression for a large part of his life talks about how he finds support through medication and offers hope to those who may also be suffering from depression.

November 03, 2016 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Tickborne illness and disease

This storyteller describes the difficulties of finding a diagnosis for her tickborne infection and the consequences of passing this infection on to her son.

April 24, 2019 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

But what makes us strong is trying to enjoy the good things

This caretaker shares her story involving her mother who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's and breast cancer

September 19, 2019 | 14m 45s
PATIENT STORY

…' pretend or just say something because your a doctor...

This storyteller was diagnosed with a genetic condition, Adrenal Hypoplasia , when they were a child and as an adult are trying to get the recurrent changes addressed.

June 12, 2023 | 20m 54s
PATIENT STORY

She would say, "Well, you don't look sick..you don't look like anything is wrong with you."

Alarming symptoms of weakness in one leg, fatigue, and sudden weight loss eventually led to this storyteller's diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy. She talks about life after the diagnosis, including the passing of her husband and moving away.

May 03, 2021 | 38m 21s
PATIENT STORY

It changes a lot of people's lives....

The story teller describes their experience during the pandemic and her diagnosis of COVID-19.

February 27, 2023 | 07m 47s
PATIENT STORY

The long and short of it is basically going to the specialist was really the best decision I could have made...

This storyteller shares the necessity of going to a specialist when your general health care has stalled on how to address treatment of an autoimmune disease.

March 23, 2023 | 12m 47s
CAREGIVER STORY

...never just wait and see.

This storyteller retells their journey with being a parent to a child diagnosed Klinefelter syndrome.

March 11, 2020 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The whole of lymphedema is the knowledge that it is there forever; that word appears in front of me in a huge typeface every time I try to do something

Originally admitted for cellulitis, a man diagnosed with lymphedema discusses his struggles with the disease and how physical therapy has made an impact.

January 04, 2018 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I never heard about it until I got diagnosed

A man diagnosed with MS talks about the beneficial new and upcoming medication, the importance of a positive support system, and how his doctors have helped to slow down the disease's progress.

March 30, 2018 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You feel totally abandoned in the one place you should feel safe

In this story, a patient describes some larger issues stemming from her arachnoiditis.

February 17, 2017 | 22m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It was them that made me realize I was getting myself burnt out.

This storyteller shares the difference between being a community based nurse for Alzheimer and caring for a parent with Dementia; acceptance of limits and understanding loss and love.

February 10, 2023 | 22m 09s
PATIENT STORY

...the emergency doctor even said, 'Hm, you don't have a fever, but you do feel hot'.

This storyteller shares their experience navigating the health care system, during the COVID-19 pandemic, managing Lyme disease and the subsequent symptoms.

August 16, 2022 | 18m 08s
PATIENT STORY

If it was a physical issue, I felt like all my bones were broken

A woman describes her experience with mental healthcare system and the importance of finding healthcare professionals who will provide patients with effective treatment for the indiviudal.

December 12, 2019 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's really hard to find a doctor that will listen to you.

This storyteller shares how she was dismissed by doctors at first when she shared her post-partum symptoms after her third pregnancy and that with a second review of her bloodwork with her PCP led to being diagnosed with Thyroiditis .

May 23, 2023 | 14m 57s
PATIENT STORY

I was not prepared for a diagnosis of arthritis

A woman diagnosed with arthritis in her hip details the process of getting diagnosed and how the diagnosis has changed her daily life and future as she's deciding whether or not to get a hip replacement.

October 25, 2017 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

She couldn't talk, she couldn't move her limbs

A daughter depicts the emotional toll caring for her mother took. Her mother suffered from an infection that sprung from a medical procedure.

August 02, 2016 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had too much to drink

A student recounts her interactions with medical personnel after consuming too much alcohol.

August 30, 2016 | 05m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I think the support group is number one

Struggling with an IPF diagnosis, this lung transplant patient advocates the importance of a support group and valuable care offered by his doctors.

November 15, 2019 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

There's no way I can afford that

In this story, a man shares his experience with a plethora of health concerns.

December 12, 2019 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...stress plays a key role in something like this occurring.

This storyteller shares their experience with seeking emergency surgery and getting health care with the help of a health team.

June 29, 2021 | 16m 24s
PATIENT STORY

…she never complained, and when she complains,they say 'Oh, that's okay , that's normal.', and no it wasn't.

Having seen generations of women in her family diagnosis with cancer, this storyteller shares making the hard decisions in prevention.

December 14, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I was always very high-strung and anxious,so I don't know that they realized quite how much was going on.

This storyteller shares the difficulty of overcoming substance abuse and a undiagnosed mental health condition; working through denial and self-empowerment.

May 22, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It's kind of disheartening when you're trying to to focus on your health..."

This storyteller shares their experience seeking care for Idiopathic Gastroparesis; with increasingly changing symptoms and long waitlists

January 09, 2023 | 20m 19s
PATIENT STORY

The whole personal touch with health care is important

A patient suddenly experiences pain in his legs after riding his bike, and this health complication led to lifestyle changes and finding alternative methods to manage the symptoms.

July 03, 2017 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...people who want to help you is very important.

This storyteller talks about navigating the health care system as a young adult and advocating for health care for skin conditions and mental health.

February 09, 2023 | 19m 47s
PATIENT STORY

There really is no one size fits all

A woman shares her experience with infertility and the difficulties of becoming pregnant.

August 12, 2019 | 14m 05s
PATIENT STORY

I think the worst pain is watching your loved ones see you suffer

A cancer patient describes her problems with her health care team.

September 21, 2016 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...she was real matter of fact, 'you were a non-event'.

This storyteller shares how recovery after having COVID-19 has pushed her to question the healthcare system, as well as gaining more compassion for her well-being.

July 29, 2020 | 43m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…it's like a Charlie horse throughout my whole body...

This storyteller shares the chellenges of seeking and managing health when it comes to recovering after a difficult labor.

September 22, 2022 | 24m 26s
CAREGIVER STORY

Everyone has the potential to be a badass

A caregiver tells his story about a patient seeking treatment for speech therapy after an invasive surgery.

October 18, 2018 | 13m 30s
PATIENT STORY

There's a very itty bitty community that...doesn't want to talk about what the issue is.

This storyteller explains the steps they have had to make regarding their late Klinefelter syndrome, while having already aged out of medical programs.

March 17, 2020 | 34m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It was almost like I was in a fog and just going along with whatever they suggested

A woman becomes a more compassionate healthcare provider when she herself receives complicated

January 15, 2020 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…so I can help other survivors be able to get back into a real long normal life.

At the prime of her career, and with two children in college, a woman shares her journey with cancer and how her experiences with insecurity, depression, and weight loss, pushed her to open a thrift store to provide confidence to people diagnosed with can

February 04, 2020 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…begging and pleading doctors, and telling them something has been wrong with me...

This storyteller shares how they have been seeking care for multiple symptoms and the challenge getting the health care system to provide adequate treatment and concern.

April 04, 2023 | 21m 58s
PATIENT STORY

...if there was a vaccine available I certainly would get vaccinated.

This storyteller shares their experince during the COVID-19 pandemic and finding the appropriate vaccine, while managing a new diagnosis of Behcet's syndrome.

June 20, 2023 | 11m 32s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

Like I say, I feel wonderful.

This storyteller shares their experience managing their health, pre- and post- COVID-19 Pandemic, current health concerns, and their experience when they had coronavirus.

February 27, 2023 | 15m 34s
CAREGIVER STORY

...today it's me, tomorrow it's you, so help me today.

This storyteller shares how in response to being isolated while they had COVID-19, after recovering they spent time caring for others who tested positive, throughout their community.

February 10, 2023 | 08m 44s
PATIENT STORY

It was like a black void lifted

A transplant receiver talks about what it was like to get a new lung and heart. Throughout her story, she makes several suggestions to improve the health care system.

September 29, 2016 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They explained everything thoroughly they was very polite they was very courteous if I had problems they told me what the problems could be...

This story teller describes his experiences with surgeries.

July 03, 2017 | 05m 57s
CAREGIVER STORY

They need to treat the caregiver as much as they do the patient

A caretaker conveys the frustrations of communicating with and caring for his spouse with aphasia.

May 18, 2016 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I have become discouraged over time that more and more things become ineffective in treating pain for the arthritis."

For the last 15-20 years, this storyteller has been suffering from pain caused by degenerative osteoarthritis. She shares her experiences getting the care she needed, the limitations in pain management, and her fears receiving a knee replacement.

March 25, 2021 | 39m 38s
PATIENT STORY

Listen to your doctor, but listen to your own body first

This story chronicles a woman's diagnosis of lung cancer, the radiation treatment that damaged her heart, and the resulting open heart surgery.

November 07, 2016 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You're never too old to learn

This storyteller emphasizes the importance of keeping up with medical research and staying involved throughout life.

December 04, 2019 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It became extremely painful just to sit in a car or walk

This young woman describes her story about a pilonidal cyst, consequential wound care, costochondritis, a herniated disc, and the help she received from medical professionals along her treatment journeys.

July 27, 2017 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Look for a specialist and get a second opinion

In this story, a woman describes life with a systemic condition that affects her stomach.

January 20, 2017 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's a common misconception that chronic illness makes people a better person

A woman who shares her story with a chronic illness has faced limitations in her daily life and minimal support from health care providers.

June 26, 2018 | 14m 26s
PATIENT STORY

...somebody that cares about the people around me, despite everything else going on...

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact on family, work, and getting vaccinated.

June 06, 2023 | 16m 05s
PATIENT STORY

So it is possible COVID was in my house.

This storyteller shares their experience after contracting COVID-19 and the social, financial, and physical impact it has had.

February 16, 2023 | 27m 03s
PATIENT STORY

"If they [providers] need more time to talk to each other, communicate that to us, the patients"

A woman talks about communication with her doctors throughout pregnancy complications.

June 04, 2020 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"No doctor should try to impose their own point of view on a patient."

This storyteller shares their experience with discovering they have OCD, learning more on Autism Spectrum Disorder, and communicating with the health systems about personal experiences.

November 18, 2022 | 15m 48s
PATIENT STORY

There is a process to medicine

A young patient describes her symptoms with an infection that led her to seek treatment for a persistent infection.

March 29, 2019 | 08m 06s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PARTICIPANT STORY

What works for one person doesn't work necessarily for the other...

This storyteller shares their experience trying lose and maintain their weight, the value of nutritionists , and previous and current challenges she's managed when it came to other health concerns.

May 22, 2023 | 21m 07s
PROVIDER STORY

...there's no reason that people should have to ask, if they can afford to get medical care.

This storyteller shares their experience as a health provider who had very limited access and understanding on the health care system and the steps they took to become more informed and how that has impacted their own discussions with patients.

May 18, 2023 | 21m 56s
CAREGIVER STORY

As international students, insurance plays a big role in our lives

In this story, a young woman discusses a traumatic event her friends underwent after suffering a seizure. She talks about how professionals educated her and other friends about handling future seizures and how important insurance is.

March 06, 2018 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Part of therapy is interacting with another human being

This storyteller shares her experiences receiving positive care regarding her bipolar diagnosis.

February 10, 2020 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...and make sure that our bodies were resilient enough...

This storyteller shares their experince having COVID-19 ; the precaution taken for their parents, lifestyle changes, and setting up an at-home vaccination.

June 16, 2023 | 18m 34s
PATIENT STORY

It's that same stigmatization of disease

This storyteller explores her diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer and what the experience was like as an older, single woman during the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 19, 2020 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Sometimes someone would say something that was actually serving or helping me.

This storyteller shares how when it comes to chronic illness', getting support and/or help with accommodations can leave you finding your own solutions.

March 09, 2020 | 29m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I thought it was a cold or something but then I started getting feverish...

The storyteller details her experience with the COVID-19 vaccine and testing positive afterwards. She describes the complications and long term symptoms that occurred as a result of her COVID-19 diagnosis.

March 14, 2023 | 06m 38s
PATIENT STORY

..be patient we'll get around to you, but three weeks off at a time and not hearing anything is frustrating

After a birthday celebration , this storyteller starts to suffer from severe abdominal pain, and after confirming that surgery is necessary, everything gets put on hold with concerns of COVID-19, leaving this man suffering for an undetermined amount of

May 29, 2020 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

..and again he's like okay, but he's not who is was.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system as a caregiver to their spouse, after they had experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury after a fall and the care and changes that occurred afterward.

November 08, 2022 | 20m 20s
PATIENT STORY

It both scared me and made sense

A woman shares her experience with being diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of communication between healthcare providers and patients

November 06, 2019 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

How to live with PTSD after multiple gunshot wounds

A man shares his near-death experience after being shot 9 times in a home invasion. The horrifying incident led to PTSD and he shares how he has coped since that traumatic life event.

February 03, 2020 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

And I just knew that if I had anything to do with them being ill...that would really just bother me a lot.

This storyteller reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic when it came to reconnecting and making time o=for one another, as well as the many ways she found her self supporting other without support.

February 14, 2022 | 12m 25s
CAREGIVER STORY

...she didn't even want to go to the doctors anymore, because none of them have many positive to say.

This storyteller shares being alongside their spouse through their Myotonic Dystrophy diagnostic journey and the frustration of working with health care workers with a chronic, debilitating condition.

October 21, 2021 | 25m 24s
PATIENT STORY

That's a big finish with this COVID[-19] thing.

This storyteller shares the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic financially and socially, and why they decided to get the vaccine despite some trepidation. .

March 13, 2023 | 20m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"For the last five days, I have been literally making life or death decisions."

This storyteller shares their experience with caring for their spouse with aggressive ovarian cancer, navigating health care team treatment decisions, and getting support with grief and long-term caregiving.

October 26, 2022 | 20m 16s
CAREGIVER STORY

Life is just not about what you want, it is something so much beyond that as a caregiver

A granddaughter discusses her experience providing care for her grandfather.

April 28, 2016 | 21m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Any diagnosis you offer can have a catastrophic impact

A mother describes the diagnosis process for her daughter's hearing loss and how doctors impacted her health journey over the years.

July 18, 2019 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…and it should be the doctor should be held accountable too.

This storyteller shares how the lack of accommodations and education on Autism, has made receiving health care challenging; distrust of doctors, lack of health care options and communication.

February 16, 2023 | 14m 32s
PATIENT STORY

"I am hoping that in another week or two, I can go out and see what it's like to go to a supermarket again"

In this story, a participant talks about her experience getting the COVID vaccine, her recent diagnosis of Parkinson's, and frustrations with insurance companies and changes to the healthcare system. She also explains how the pandemic has made it more dif

February 17, 2021 | 11m 33s
PATIENT STORY

"I wish we had telehealth back then...I actually love telehealth."

In this story, a participant talks about her experiences using telehealth, recent diagnoses from doctors and their treatment, and what she has done to remain healthy during the pandemic. She highlights the importance of exercise in her daily routine.

March 05, 2021 | 24m 14s
PATIENT STORY

I had taken my health into my own hands

A man experiences seizures and memory problems, and he searches to find the right treatments for his condition through extensive research.

June 27, 2018 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It immediately became the mantra for my recovery

After suffering a tbi, this storyteller emphasizes the importance of hope during recovery.

September 20, 2019 | 06m 14s
PATIENT STORY

...it really makes you appreciate that feeling of freedom. It is a wonderful feeling.

This story teller shares their experience with the vaccine, and how the challenges toward activity when things are on lockdown.

June 30, 2021 | 14m 48s
PATIENT STORY

"I'm intelligent enough to understand the data and the science, and that's what I go with."

A storyteller talks about her experience through the pandemic and her life after receiving the vaccine. She talks about her daily activities and frustrations getting the vaccine in her community.

March 03, 2021 | 23m 24s
PATIENT STORY

And even people that had chemo…chemo ends at some point. I've been sick for two years.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system when she was diagnosed with Breast cancer and the challenges she faced trying to manage long-term health management with limited resources and an uninvolved system.

June 07, 2021 | 31m 17s
PROVIDER STORY

...if they have the issues they talk to us not their primary care provider.

This storyteller shares their experince with driving people to their medical appointments who may have a long history of untreated or diagnosed conditions and the rapport and trust they built while traveling.

June 12, 2023 | 18m 43s
PATIENT STORY

"I wasn't really enjoying my life, I was just getting through it."

In this story, a participant talks about her process of getting treated for gall stones and panic attacks. She also highlights the struggles of finding treatment for her son in a rural area. Lastly, she explains the importance of advocating for herself.

April 14, 2021 | 18m 27s
CAREGIVER STORY

...the caregiver needs support, I always thought that but now I know it.

A woman's story shows how a background in health can be beneficial when it comes to be a caregiver, but without competent instruction from social services, you aren't fully prepared.

June 01, 2020 | 23m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We used to be partners in doing most everything and that's impossible now

A caregiver tells her story of taking care of her husband suffering from dementia and how their lives have changed since the diagnosis.

May 14, 2018 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The pain was so bad that I actually almost became unconscious

A woman shares her story of suffering from severe pain after surgery, and she struggled to have proper treatment for it while in the hospital.

May 31, 2018 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...Just because I didn't feel like I had to worry quite so much.

This storyteller shares their experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic and what it was like getting the COVID-19 vaccinations.

June 21, 2023 | 15m 28s
PATIENT STORY

They had left a pediatric needle in my heart

Growing up with severe heart problems, this storyteller describes how open heart surgery was a gigantic, formidable step in her journey.

October 16, 2019 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It was a wake up call that I wasn't invincible and that I was responsible for my own healthcare and those were important and painful lessons"

This storyteller tells about her experience with being diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago.

June 30, 2020 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Women are often not listened to about their pain levels

A woman describes her experiences with PCOS and complications with her menstrual cycle while trying to find treatment for her condition.

September 12, 2018 | 13m 30s
PATIENT STORY

My left knee was giving me problems; they told me eventually I'd need a knee replacement

Feeling knee pain, this storyteller describes his experience undergoing shots, therapy, and eventually a full knee replacement. He advises those with a similar issue to find a well-recommended physician and follow his or her advice to best heal.

August 02, 2017 | 09m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"She was literally the most important person in my life for the last 45 years."

This storyteller shares their experience with caring for their spouse with aggressive ovarian cancer, navigating health care team treatment decisions, and getting support with grief and long-term caregiving.

October 27, 2022 | 22m 04s
PATIENT STORY

"anything that happens to you medically that changes your life is something that you just kinda have to embrace and move forward.

This storyteller describes her lifelong thyroid condition, hearing problems as a young child, and how medical care has changed during the course of her life.

June 18, 2020 | 22m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I hope more research is done on cluster headaches

A woman suffering from episodic cluster headaches seeks treatment after symptoms became more intense, and she finds ways to manage it on her own.

August 31, 2018 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

80-90% of health issues are in our control

A man shares his ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and how he handled dealing with high blood pressure.

September 16, 2019 | 07m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...if I could go back and change anything , it would be...stop and think about what you're doing.

With the pandemic planning major health surgeries can be difficult, this storyteller shares the challenges of setting up an appointment after a biopsy report.

August 10, 2020 | 34m 00s
PATIENT STORY

They could have treated me more like a person, and less like a hot potato

This man talks about his medical journey dealing with several doctors, several contradictory opinions, and several diagnoses after being told there was nothing that could be done to resolve his symptoms.

March 06, 2018 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Why didn't they take him out earlier...

This storyteller shares how a request for a C-section during labor was initially ignored, leading to an emergency C-section due to infection.

July 27, 2023 | 05m 02s
PATIENT STORY

Patients are people

After being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at a young age, a woman explains her experiences with healthcare providers while trying to find the right medications to manage her symptoms.

September 10, 2018 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I feel very lucky

This storyteller lived a healthy life until being diagnosed with two diseases. He emphasizes the power of positivity.

January 31, 2020 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I fully expected to be shut down, but I had not only one, but two different experiences that were very positive

After her mother's diagnosis of ovarian cancer, a woman shares her story of the preventative measures she took to ensure she eliminated her risk.

August 24, 2018 | 11m 33s
PATIENT STORY

...I can't wait six weeks to have this looked at, I need someone to tell me what it is now.

This storyteller shares their experince with the healthcare system as a patient managing severe migraines, a caregiver to their father, and being a health professional.

April 11, 2022 | 23m 25s
PATIENT STORY

...to have to go outside of that for their healing.

This storyteller shares their experience with intermittent fasting, finding community and staying active.

March 15, 2023 | 20m 04s
PATIENT STORY

Control what you can control and let go of the rest

Concerning symptoms led a patient to seek treatment and found that he had internal bleeding from which stemmed from esophageal cancer.

August 08, 2018 | 23m 00s
PROVIDER,PARTICIPANT STORY

…because they don't feel protected or heard.

This storyteller shares their experience with getting COVID-19, two years after pandemic began and providing health care during that time.

May 12, 2023 | 15m 23s
PATIENT STORY

I know that I am not feeling fine, but the numbers are within the limits

In this story a woman describes her thyroid issues and her positive experiences with healthcare professionals.

August 01, 2019 | 14m 00s
PATIENT,PARTICIPANT STORY

I'd never had anything that hung on quite like this before.

This storyteller shares their experience with COVID-19: moving to remote work, getting the first vaccine, becoming infected with COVID-19 and the severe symptoms from the boosters.

February 14, 2023 | 24m 03s
PATIENT STORY

...I'd never been that cold in my life...

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system during the pandemic; the challenges of getting the vaccine, delaying surgery due to illness, the importance of community and the impact it has had.

May 05, 2023 | 20m 44s
CAREGIVER STORY

He decided for himself that he was going to an outlier

A caregiver's husband battles a cancer diagnosis and shares her experiences taking care of him.

July 09, 2018 | 00m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

It was almost like time was in slow motion

This mother details her daughter's medical journey overcoming a traumatic brain injury.

September 20, 2019 | 34m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I think that having to have a hysterectomy to save your health is something that I would tell any woman to do"

The storyteller tells her story about having endometriosis and obtaining a hysterectomy at a young age.

June 25, 2020 | 25m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We treat them as children and that's detrimental to their recovery

A mother tells her experience with her son's drug addiction, and how a faith-based recovery program has played a role

April 15, 2019 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

…but I do feel the benefit of it.

This storyteller shares how a suspicious lump that appeared on her throat led her tom make a series of lifestyle changes in order to better herself and provide her children an example of positive health management.

May 23, 2023 | 13m 52s
PATIENT STORY

...the study has been very helpful I have fortunately not fallen again and I think a lot of it has to do with the study and so I've been very pleased...

This story teller shares her experience participating in a research study and how it motivated her to keep exercising

August 11, 2021 | 14m 51s
PATIENT STORY

My body was able to adapt

A patient discloses the suppression and return of their atrial fibrillation.

July 11, 2016 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"I'd rather die than go back up in weight."

A woman describes her struggles finding proper support for her eating disorders that led to additional health issues.

June 30, 2017 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Like I said, the details they really pay attention to the details.

This storyteller shares the impact of a professional and empathetic health care team while receiving treatment for breast cancer, can help with quality of life and ease recovery.

February 28, 2023 | 22m 19s
PATIENT STORY

"The cost of medication, both personally and with patients, has been a part of the healthcare system that has frustrated me..."

After trying 15 different medications with severe side effects for depression, a patient finally finds a treatment that works for her. Unfortunately, the cost of this medication is hard to afford despite having health insurance coverage. She shares her st

January 20, 2021 | 22m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

...you have the knowledge of your loved one.

After researching online after a doctors visit with her spouse, this storyteller shares her journey as a support for her husband, after being diagnosed with cancer.

July 27, 2020 | 20m 00s
PATIENT STORY

The same week I was diagnosed with lymphoma, he was in the ICU recovering from a transplant

This storyteller talks about her fight against her Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma diagnosis during the same time as her husband's organ transplant, the different forms of treatment she undertook, and the cancer's recurrence once she retired.

March 08, 2018 | 23m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Take caution... All because you say you're healthy doesn't mean the next person next to you is healthy...

The storyteller details her experience while being pregnant during the start of the pandemic and the way she navigated the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 17, 2023 | 07m 05s
CAREGIVER STORY

When I was a teenager, she had a psychotic episode

Having experienced Caregiver fatigue, caring and educating herself on both her parents diagnosis of Schizophrenia, a woman shares her story so that others won't feel alone either.

September 19, 2019 | 15m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

The patient themselves are so overwhelmed with everything and then you task this job of communication and understanding and reaching out to all tphysicians and specialists; it just becomes daunting.he

The storyteller shares their experience caring for their father through treatment for prostate cancer and end of life care.

May 12, 2020 | 16m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I'm this far and I'm going to fight it

This story delves into how a man's personal traumas drove him towards alcoholism. Throughout this story, he describes why he sought out treatment, the quality of his rehabilitation, and the process of staying sober.

May 20, 2016 | 18m 00s
PATIENT STORY

An emergency came up so I had to stop going altogether

A woman explains her experiences with incontinence and the struggles of affording healthcare.

January 08, 2020 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I got my life back thanks to my doctors

This storyteller describes surgery on her right and left shoulders, knees, and feet. She describes her tremendous recovery and her chance to walk again.

November 09, 2016 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Fine motor control? I don't have it anymore

In this story, a man diagnosed with MS describes other health-related issues caused by the disease, life-changing symptoms like lack of balance and tremors, how his health care team has supported him, and how they have not due to the opioid crisis.

September 20, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Try to get help as much as possible

A woman details what life was like taking care of her husband who was diagnosed with Parkinson's while balancing her own heart issues and how she is currently concentrating more on her own well-being.

May 12, 2017 | 16m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

We need to provide better advocacy for care that's not in the acute hospital.

This storyteller shares navigating the health care system being a caregiver for their spouse, and their own personal journey with advocating.

September 29, 2022 | 22m 47s
PATIENT STORY

The doctors are there, but they are not Superman

A woman explains the importance of understanding what you put into your body and how important it is to care for your own health.

November 19, 2019 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

You are the patient and you deserve to be cared for

After ending up in a coma for 10 days, this woman was eventually diagnosed with Legionnaire's Disease; she describes the struggle to get proper care during her hospital stay and referrals for her diagnosis.

January 03, 2018 | 34m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I've gotten along with all my doctors

This patient describes her strong relationship with doctors who help to manage and treat her mental health issues.

February 22, 2017 | 03m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...I said 'if this is how I feel and I've gotten vaccinated...what if you do get sick.

This storyteller shares the challenges they faced trying to obtain the vaccine, delayed medical care, and the impact COVID-19 has had in care facilities.

June 23, 2021 | 25m 26s
PATIENT STORY

The slightest touch, a breeze of wind, even my clothing touching my skin at times causes pain that is inexplicable

This storyteller describes his 2-year journey being diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome while also handling multiple other health conditions like gastric bypass complications, sepsis, MRSA, and lymphedema.

June 27, 2017 | 25m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

"When she died, I was at peace because I knew I did everything I could for her."

After learning about his mother's diagnosis with multiple myeloma, this caregiver talks about his experience caring for her. He explained their daily routine, how healthcare professionals helped, and his feelings after she passed away. He closes his story

February 19, 2021 | 23m 31s
PATIENT STORY

It's helped me become a better person; I appreciate what I can do more. Life is more meaningful and I'm focused on what's important

A patient describes how his history with radiation treatment for testicular cancer was potentially causing problems 20-years later.

May 12, 2016 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's been wonderful I... I find that I can't do things on my own as well as I can if I'm in a study ... It just inspires me to live a healthier life.

This story teller shares their experience being a part of a research study and how participating in a study has helped them

August 02, 2021 | 07m 59s
PATIENT STORY

"I consider myself a very healthy, strong-willed person, but if I count, I've had 11 to 12 surgeries in my life."

This storyteller talks about her experience and recovery process after receiving surgery in her left and right hip. She also discusses other health issues like AFIB, a burst appendix, and gall bladder issues. Lastly, she closes out her story with what she

February 10, 2021 | 22m 15s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER,PROVIDER,PARTICIPANT STORY

…people were uncomfortable doing it anyways, so let's not go back.

This storyteller shares their exeprince with COVID-19; changes implemented in their job to reduce spread, the precautions taken working in a hospital setting, and testing positive themselves, alongside their family, with COVID.

May 15, 2023 | 17m 26s
PATIENT STORY

"Anything can happen in the next two or three years, that we will not be able to travel."

This storyteller shares the challenges they faced obtaining the vaccine after first eligible groups were announced and what it has been like managing their health.

May 17, 2022 | 15m 58s
PATIENT STORY

"As my mother put it, I've been sick since the day I was born."

In this story, a participant talks about her health conditions being born premature and her second diagnosis of colon cancer. She talks about her cancer experiences, how COVID-19 has impacted it, and what she does now to remain healthy and hopeful.

March 03, 2021 | 21m 56s
PATIENT STORY

The partial loss of my right hand is something I did not prepare for

In this story, a man talks about his carpal tunnel syndrome and consequential surgery as well as his fall down the stairs and spinal stenosis diagnosis. He advocates for retiring earlier in life to enjoy being generally healthier.

April 03, 2018 | 12m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...unless we're sighing or frustrated or whatever, you don't think to take a deep breath.

This storyteller shares their experience at the ER, during which they were misdiagnosed with Lung cancer due to mass that was actually related to pneumonia and the impact it had on care and family.

April 11, 2023 | 14m 23s
PATIENT STORY

Take your healthcare into your own hands

After waiting one and a half years to be diagnosed, this storyteller describes her symptoms, lack of interest and answers given by most doctors, and effects that Lyme disease had on her usual daily routine.

March 29, 2018 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

“So, it makes me appreciate what I can do, and it makes me appreciate people that help me.”

This storyteller having diagnosed with Susac syndrome; where the immune system mistakenly attacks the inside lining of blood vessels, shares their health care journey.

August 26, 2022 | 18m 28s
PARTICIPANT STORY

..you know there's always gonna be studies available...

This storyteller shares their exeprince with being a research participant, navigating deadlines, the ease of access through the research registry and communication. with researchers.

March 21, 2023 | 10m 35s
CAREGIVER,PROVIDER STORY

I just always respected and loved elderly people...

This storyteller shares their experience being a health care provider and how their experience being a caregiver to their aunt inspired them to get into elderly care , bulilding relationships and her commitment to their care.

April 13, 2023 | 21m 31s
CAREGIVER STORY

How are you getting, you know, the basic necessities of life if...

This storyteller shares their experience with being a caregiver to relative with severe diabetes; the lack of quality certified at home care professionals and the awareness to recognize when you can't provide enough support anymore.

March 20, 2023 | 19m 07s
PATIENT STORY

The bad thing was you had to stay home, the good thing was you got to stay home.

This storyteller shares their experience with obtaining and receiving the vaccine, as well as their experience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

December 15, 2021 | 14m 46s
PATIENT STORY

I barely manage every day with seven medications

Fighting multiple preexisting conditions, this storyteller describes her chronic pain and mental disorders, appreciation for Medicaid, and the stigmas surrounding her pain management options which makes getting the proper treatment complicated.

May 26, 2017 | 21m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Is it something in your lifestyle?

This storyteller recalls discovering his atrial fibrillation, how he manages life post-diagnosis, and the doctors he encountered along the way.

June 15, 2016 | 15m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Making changes in what we eat can change our whole lifestyle.

A woman shares about the changes she has made to live a healthier life and the great help her health team has provided.

February 03, 2020 | 10m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It's important for us to do what the doctor asks us to do

A woman expresses her difficulties with finding the root cause of her auto systemic scleritis and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis diagnoses and details her experiences with them.

February 20, 2017 | 09m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

She was stuck in the birth canal face-first

A mother shares her story about giving birth to her child who was stuck in the birth canal. She describes how a new round of nurses called a doctor who aided in the birth quickly.

April 18, 2018 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I realized that without this support in my back, I'd probably paraplegic.

This storyteller shares with us the trauma he has been managing after a major back surgery occurred after a vehicle accident.

July 17, 2020 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I had no idea what a cancer patient went through

A woman shares her story of going through surgery and treatments to eventually become cancer-free, but it has left lasting health complications.

June 25, 2018 | 20m 16s
PATIENT STORY

...it's a lifestyle change that you have to make...

Having been passive previously when it came to her diabetes, having family history with the condition, this storyteller shares how symptoms from medication, led to being more active in lifestyle changes and treatment.

July 30, 2021 | 25m 53s
PATIENT STORY

"If something is bothering you and won't go away, go right away...don't wait a year"

A storyteller talks about her surgery and being a caregiver for her husband's surgery while explaining things she does in daily life to maintain her health. Also, she discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has allowed her to slow down and appreciate these ac

January 22, 2021 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

“Fortunately I never had it but during the shutdown, when we weren’t allowed to do anything, I tried to keep busy.”

The storyteller shares experiences about the coronavirus pandemic, vaccinations, and experiences with family members.

November 12, 2021 | 14m 48s
PATIENT STORY

Make sure you have confidence in the doctor that you choose

After initially finding a hemorrhage in her retina after a visit to the doctor, a patient finds it difficult to manage the treatments while having additional eye problems.

August 16, 2018 | 14m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

I felt like I was going to the doctor and I was hearing the words, but I wasn't so much taking it to heart or acting on it.

This story teller discusses his lifelong struggle with weight loss and accepting his diabetes diagnosis.

May 21, 2020 | 17m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Everyone reacts differently to different situations

A granddaughter tells the story of her grandmother's heart attack and elaborates on some of the frustrations her family experienced, including dietary changes, lack of communication, and a language barrier.

October 21, 2016 | 06m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I was looked at as less than human

A young woman who suffers from mental health issues talks about her experience trying to gain help. She explains the poor treatment she received when she first reached out for help and how much better her medical team is currently.

June 27, 2019 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Childless not by choice

In this story, a woman describes issues regarding fertility treatments and general patient care, focusing on her experience enduring an ectopic pregnancy.

March 27, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Chronic pain is very private and personal

In this story, a woman describes what life is like living with chronic pain; she details how it has affected her mental health, trust in faith, and thoughts on how doctors should listen and establish connections with their patients.

August 07, 2017 | 19m 00s
CAREGIVER STORY

Take the whole person into consideration

A woman shares her story about being a caregiver for her ill father and advice on how healthcare providers should be more accessible to the family of an ill person.

September 30, 2019 | 05m 00s
PATIENT,CAREGIVER STORY

But I did what I did to keep my son alive.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system during their late age pregnancy and the medical bias when it comes to breast feeding and formula.

May 01, 2023 | 22m 50s
PATIENT STORY

The older I get I tried to be grateful...

This storyteller shares the journey through the health care system hospitalization, rehabilitation and management after a frequent loss of feeling from a pinched nerve.

September 16, 2022 | 22m 28s
PATIENT STORY

And waiting to get in the new place, my pain got so much better.

This storyteller shares their frustration with the health care providers when it came to relentless nerve pain due to poor instruction during physical therapy and how dismissive doctors can be when it comes to young people's health care.

May 15, 2023 | 16m 23s
PATIENT STORY

I was admitted for a week before they even scheduled a surgery.

A young woman describes her struggles with a protruding disk and the hoops she had to jump through after surgery.

December 10, 2019 | 09m 00s
PATIENT STORY

It all started back in 1984, I was diagnosed as a diabetic

After being diagnosed with diabetes, this man's life changed drastically with additional complications such as congestive heart failure and stroke. He describes how his life has changed in significant ways and daily aspects.

August 03, 2017 | 17m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"...and he doesn't think he is the expert. He is a partner in my care..."

This storyteller shares their health care experince when it came to undifferentiated connective tissue disease, an autoimmune disease and Major depressive Disorder, while being a parent and maintain activity.

October 10, 2022 | 24m 58s
PATIENT STORY

I got all the wrong information

A woman diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes discusses the importance of a healthier diet and the medical need for doctors to educate diabetic patients to change their diets appropriately.

November 29, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

All of this was gone in 5 minutes

After suffering a spinal stroke, this storyteller details the consequences following the event; she discusses the benefits of physical therapies, the need for more research studies, and frustration with insurance companies.

July 18, 2017 | 14m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I decided I would be the bright spot

This storyteller shares his experience fighting cancer among other medical battles and how attitude is important during the process.

September 20, 2019 | 25m 00s
PATIENT STORY

...people who know more than we do on the subject of health care, but we know our bodies...

This stroyteller shares that when you challenge the health care providers, advocating for yourself and family, that very same system meant to heal, harms.

June 21, 2021 | 18m 03s
PATIENT STORY

...so that getting it was very nerve-wracking.

This storyteller shares what conversations and research ultimately led to them getting the COVID-19 vaccine and the impact it's had when it came to being present for loved ones.

March 08, 2023 | 12m 28s
PATIENT STORY

I am very lucky that my doctors trust me

In this discussion, a woman describes enduring illnesses since the age of two, including mast cell activation syndrome, anxiety, and depression.

February 13, 2017 | 19m 00s
PATIENT STORY

To this day they have banned me as a patient, and I don't feel they were sincere about the autism diagnosis

A woman expresses concerns that she has been discriminated against due to her autism diagnosis.

May 27, 2016 | 11m 00s
PATIENT STORY

"It's been a significant benefit to my quality of life."

This storyteller shares the experience with cardiologist and urologist after a routine dentist appointment refers him to get his high blood pressure checked out.

November 01, 2022 | 24m 41s
PATIENT STORY

It both scared me and made sense

In this story, a woman shares her experience with being diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety.

October 30, 2019 | 08m 00s
PATIENT STORY

Everyday I can see myself getting back to normal more and more

A man shares his recovery story after experiencing a traumatic motorcycle accident, and he shares his positive feedback regarding his healthcare team throughout the process.

July 24, 2019 | 00m 00s
PATIENT STORY

I would certainly define the topic as, 'It is not the easy way out'.

This story teller shares their experience with weight loss surgery; rising health concerns, stigma, and the importance of getting educated on bariatric surgery.

March 31, 2021 | 26m 30s
PATIENT STORY

It wasn't talked about; it was like a no-no for you to have it.

This storyteller shares their experience with the health care system and the impact of stigma.

April 28, 2021 | 25m 31s
PATIENT STORY

"...and it's very hard...to convince people that you aren't just tired."

This storyteller shares health complications related to a severe childhood scalp avulsion and navigating the health system with autoimmune diseases as a young adult.

October 19, 2022 | 25m 14s
PATIENT STORY

"...unless I insisted on some form of treatment...they would just pick out the hat."

Having first been diagnosed and treated with Hodgkin's Lymphoma while serving in the military, this storyteller shares how later in treatment for Leukemia, she most often felt she was the only one providing new and advanced treatment options.

September 11, 2019 | 12m 14s
PATIENT STORY

...I need to do what I need to do to make myself as well as I can be...

This storyteller shares their healthcare experinces.

June 25, 2021 | 31m 23s
PATIENT STORY

It just blows my mind that there's not more of an effort...

This storyteller shares her views on nutrition, and how healthcare should be focused on preventative measures with nutrition versus focus on disease.

June 10, 2020 | 20m 00s

SHARE YOUR HEALTH STORY

Are you facing an illness? Helping a loved one with a new diagnosis? Hoping to develop a research project that can improve health or healthcare? Share your story today to help others understand what it is like to experience health problems or to bring together stakeholders and researchers to build a health research team.

Learn more about sharing your story

Tell your story

Twitter Logo Facebook Logo

Contact Story Booth

ABOUT

STORIES

STUDIES

RESOURCES

About Story Booth

Search Health Stories

Clinical Studies

Resources for Patients and Researchers

Share Your Health Story

Share Your Study

Copyright 2019 | PaTH Network