Ask The Patient Advocate

How Am I Still Struggling With My Chronic Condition?

Have you done everything your doctors recommended… yet you’re still struggling with your chronic condition? Do you ever wonder why progress feels so slow — or why you still feel overwhelmed despite trying so hard? Have you asked yourself, “Why am I still dealing with this?” If these questions sound familiar, you’re not alone. In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine tackle a deeply relatable and often unspoken reality for people living with chronic illness: the frustration of doing everything “right” and still feeling stuck. Managing a chronic condition is rarely simple. It often involves multiple specialists, changing medications, evolving symptoms, and a healthcare system that tends to focus on individual problems rather than the full picture. Over time, patients can find themselves juggling appointments, tracking symptoms, managing records, and advocating for themselves — all while trying to function in daily life. That level of responsibility can become exhausting. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why chronic conditions rarely improve in a straight line • Why patients can feel “stuck” even when they are following treatment plans carefully • The emotional toll of long-term illness and uncertainty • How fragmented care between multiple specialists can make progress harder • Why coordination and communication are critical in chronic disease management If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ [https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/] to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates [https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/] Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates] Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311] Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates] LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/] pathwaypa.com [http://pathwaypa.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Survivorship Starts Day One: Why Nutrition Matters with Sammy Peterson

Why does nutrition suddenly feel so overwhelming the moment you need it most? Why are patients told “just eat whatever you want” during cancer treatment — when clearly, it’s not that simple? And what if wellness didn’t have to feel restrictive, rigid, or exhausting… but instead supportive and sustainable? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Sammy Peterson, RD, founder and CEO of Simply Wellness and a former clinical oncology dietitian, to unpack one of the most misunderstood pillars of healthcare: nutrition. Sammy began her career in a rare hospital setting where conventional oncology care and complementary wellness lived under one roof — even operating as a farm-to-table hospital. That experience reshaped her philosophy entirely. She saw firsthand that when patients were supported emotionally, nutritionally, physically, and mentally — not just medically — they didn’t just survive treatment… they felt stronger moving through it. In this episode, we explore: • Why wellness feels so complicated — and how to simplify it • The problem with one-size-fits-all health advice • Why nutrition should be integrated into cancer care from day one • Practical strategies for managing nausea, taste changes, fatigue, and appetite loss • The power of small, consistent habits over perfection • Why survivorship truly starts at diagnosis • How to support both the patient and the family during treatment If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395. Connect with Sammy Peterson, RD, CSO: https://simplywellnessllc.com/ [https://simplywellnessllc.com/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-peterson-825899358/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-peterson-825899358/] https://www.instagram.com/sammypetersonrd/ [https://www.instagram.com/sammypetersonrd/] https://www.facebook.com/SimplyWellnessllc [https://www.facebook.com/SimplyWellnessllc] Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates [https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/] Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates] Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311] Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates] LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/] pathwaypa.com [http://pathwaypa.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How to Prepare for Medical Travel: A Patient’s Checklist for Out-of-State or International Care

Are you considering traveling for medical care? Have you wondered what you should prepare before seeing a specialist in another state or country? Or worried that without the right planning, medical travel could quickly become overwhelming? Traveling for healthcare can open the door to new expertise, advanced treatments, and valuable second opinions. For many patients facing complex diagnoses, rare conditions, or unanswered questions, out-of-state or international care can provide new possibilities and fresh perspectives. But without careful preparation, medical travel can also become stressful, confusing, and logistically complicated. In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine walk listeners through an essential patient checklist for preparing for medical travel—helping you approach the process with organization, clarity, and confidence. Building on a previous episode about when it may be time to seek care farther away, this conversation focuses on the practical steps patients should take before, during, and after traveling for medical care. In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why preparation is one of the most important factors in successful medical travel • What medical records and documentation you should gather before leaving • How to clarify your goals before meeting with a new specialist • What to research about providers, hospitals, and treatment programs • The critical logistical details patients often overlook, including travel timing, lodging, and recovery support • Why planning for follow-up care at home is just as important as the trip itself If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ [https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/] to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates [https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/] Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates] Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311] Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates] LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/] pathwaypa.com [http://pathwaypa.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Reality of Lyme Disease with Maria Malaguti

What if your symptoms were dismissed as anxiety… when you knew something was terribly wrong? What if test results came back “normal,” but your body was falling apart? And what would you do if the healthcare system left you feeling invisible and alone? Lyme disease affects millions — yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and controversial illnesses in modern medicine. This month is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. This episode aims to spread awareness of an illness that affects nearly 500,000 new people in the U.S. annually. In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Maria Malaguti, Founder and Executive Director of the Lyme Disease Resource Center, to discuss the long and often isolating road of tick-borne illness — and how advocacy can change everything. Maria’s journey began after what she believed was a simple spider bite while backpacking. What followed was a steady health decline, unexplained neurological symptoms, and a terrifying ER visit where her concerns were dismissed and she was handed a prescription for Prozac — without a thorough evaluation. In this episode, we explore: • Why Lyme disease is still frequently misunderstood • The emotional toll of being dismissed in medical settings • How chronic tick-borne illness impacts work, identity, and mental health • The difference between physical treatment and whole-person healing • What self-advocacy truly looks like after a diagnosis • Why no patient should have to navigate disability or healthcare bureaucracy alone • The power of community in moving from victimhood to empowerment If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395. Connect with Maria Malaguti: https://www.lymedrc.org/ [https://www.lymedrc.org/] https://www.facebook.com/ldrcnoho [https://www.facebook.com/ldrcnoho] https://www.instagram.com/lymedrcincnorthampton/ [https://www.instagram.com/lymedrcincnorthampton/] https://www.linkedin.com/company/lyme-disease-resource-center-inc-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lyme-disease-resource-center-inc-/] https://www.youtube.com/@LymeDRCIncNorthampton/videos [https://www.youtube.com/@LymeDRCIncNorthampton/videos]      Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates [https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/] Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates] Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311] Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates] LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/] pathwaypa.com [http://pathwaypa.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

When to Look Afar. When to Seek Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Medical Care?

Have you ever wondered if the answers you’re looking for might exist somewhere beyond your local healthcare system? Have you seen multiple providers but still feel like your care has stalled? Or ask yourself whether seeking care in another state — or even another country — could open the door to better options? In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine explore an important and often emotional question many patients quietly face: When should you consider looking farther away for medical care? Most healthcare journeys begin close to home. Local providers are convenient, familiar, and often the first place patients turn for answers. But sometimes, despite following every recommendation, completing extensive testing, and consulting multiple specialists, patients may still feel like they’re not moving forward. In this thoughtful discussion, Dr. Borrelli explains: • The key signs that it may be time to explore care beyond your local healthcare system • Why certain conditions require highly specialized programs or multidisciplinary teams • When traveling for care may make a meaningful difference in outcomes • The powerful role that second and third medical opinions can play in complex cases • What patients should carefully consider before traveling for medical care, including logistics, finances, and follow-up planning If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity. For personalized assistance and support, reach out to us and discover how we can help you navigate your path to better health. Call us at (947) 517-8395 Take control of your healthcare journey with confidence. ✨ Enroll today in our Patient Advocacy Course and learn how to speak up, stay organized, and make informed decisions about your care or your loved one’s. 👉 Visit https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ [https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/] to get started. Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli: Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates [https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/] Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates] Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311] Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates] LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/] pathwaypa.com [http://pathwaypa.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.