Mighty Well's Emily Levy on Finding Purpose in Illness

In a follow-up to the previous episode, "Hope, Healing, and Living in the Gray," Julia and Maddy talk about the emotional side of healing. Illness is traumatic, but living in survival mode often forces us to prioritize physical healing. Both of us have come to realize how important it is to our healing to address our emotional health and calm our nervous systems. Listen in for the unique ways doing this has played a part in our healing journeys. 

When it comes to healing, the light at the end of the tunnel can be very dim at times. In a hopeful conversation, Julia and Maddy talk about the big strides they’ve taken in healing and what it feels like to get something back on this illness journey. Both discuss the moments they believed healing was impossible, and how learning to live in the grey has helped them find peace.

On this episode of the Two Much Lyme Podcast, Maddy and Julia talk to Emily Levy, Lyme Warriror and Co-Founder of the Mighty Well adaptive wear company and community. Emily started the company out of necessity after beginning IV therapies and struggling to find comfortable covers to keep her PICC line safe. Mighty Well has expanded to all types of products that make the lives of patients so much easier. Emily speaks to the challenges of starting a business while chronically ill, the tips she has for anyone with an idea, and how she ultimately combined her passion and illness into a company that fights to ensure patients live with confidence, comfort, and dignity. Learn more about Mighty Well: https://mighty-well.com/pages/our-mission The Global Lyme Alliance: https://www.globallymealliance.org/donate-today/?hsLang=en Connect with Us:  Instagram: @two.muchlyme podcast  Website: twomuchlymepodcast.com

As a celebration of the Two Much Lyme Podcast's one year anniversary, one of Maddy's favorite people in the world is on the podcast. Taylor and Maddy's 17- year friendship has seen it all over the years, and it has evolved to incorporate Maddy's illness. This episode is for supporters and friends, aiming to validate their feelings of fear, guilt, and frustration. Taylor gives awesome tips on how to support a friend experiencing an illness, and talks about the emotions that come up in these unique relationships. 

Exam season is challenging for everyone. It can be stressful, long, and require an enormous amount of work. When dealing with an illness, these challenges are magnified. Listen in as Maddy recalls her recent experience taking law school exams, and gives tips to manage a flare while studying!

The holiday season can be a time of intense joy, but can also be really challenging when you are dealing with an illness. Being in new environments and out of your routine can often cause flare-ups that put a damper on the holiday season. Misunderstandings are common, and it can be difficult to stick to your boundaries. Listen in for Julia and Maddy’s experiences during the holidays, and how they've tried to manage their illnesses while around different people, foods, and opportunities.     

Illness often changes your perspective on life. It can cause you to redefine who you are and how you interact with the world. In this episode, Julia and Maddy discuss a few words they have redefined since getting sick. Words like “rest” “joy” and “success” have shifted meaning as illness changed their perspectives.

In this episode, we talk to Lyme and tick-borne disease (TBD) expert, Dr. Joseph Burrascano, who after pioneering the care of Lyme patients in his Long Island practice, now works in the biotech space and consults for IGeneX Laboratories. As many know, the testing for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can be incredibly inaccurate. However, advancements in testing over the past decade have made are providing hope to millions of individuals. IGeneX is a leading lab for Lyme and TBD testing, and their research has created more accurate tests for not just Lyme but other coinfections as well. Listen in to hear Dr. Burrascano explain the science behind why mainstream Lyme testing is inaccurate, his opinion on the greatest innovations to date, and what to look for on the horizon. Overall, this interview is one of hope for the Lyme and TBD community. If you want to know more, IGenex hosted a webinar with Dr. Burrascano all about advancements in testing! Click the link below to listen.  https://igenex.com/webinars/ Don't forget about he Global Lyme Alliance Gala on 10/3/21! Click below for the event page and donation link. https://www.globallymealliance.org/globalgala21?hsCtaTracking=c35b574d-1afb-4bbd-8ea8-29b8f7b3975a%7Cbb3ab52e-9233-42d4-af61-8585f3d4e965 Connect with us! twomuchlymepodcast.com Instagram: @two.muchlymepodcast

Starting something new can be incredibly stressful, especially if you have a chronic illness. As with all parts of life, having an illness or disability adds another layer of complications. Listen in as Maddy talks about her transition to law school, and how she is managing the realities of Lyme disease alongside the work and stress. If you are starting something new or love someone who is, this episode aims to validate your anxieties and give a few tips for navigating the ever challenging balance of life and illness.  

In this solo episode, Julia dives deep into her personal mental and emotional shifts that have occurred over the past few months. She talks about the root cause of this perspective change being trauma showing in her body, returning to trauma therapy, how her mindset on illness has changed, and a life changing out of body experience she had recently. Contact Us: Instagram: @two.muchlymepodcast Website: twomuchlymepodcast.com Donate to Global Lyme Alliance: https://globallymealliance.org/