Welcome to the Bandying Show

Autoimmunity, A Life Sentence PART I

This episode is part I of my medical history where I narrate the painful story of being diagnosed at a young age with an autoimmune disorder, and how it has shaped me, my days, and the story of my life. This is the first time I have really talked about it more than running it in my head as if I’m telling my person, whom I have never met. I talk about the painful confusing period until I was diagnosed, the shock of being diagnosed with a lifelong, incurable autoimmune disease, the struggles to continue with life instead of running away, the way my disease comes for me and my life over and over again, how I rebuild my body, mind and life each time using a painstaking process of self-help all the way up to everything I had ever built being taken away from me in 2020 when an ugly chronic fatigue took over my body. I also talk about where I have been the last 5 years since I disappeared from most peoples’ lives in the latest installation of my disease taking me out, why I am starting this podcast featuring conversations on chronic and mental health improvement mixed with tons of fun and joy, what you might get out of it, and why this combination is important to me and to this podcast. The medical history part of this episode is specifically meant to be something me and my guests can refer back to in future episodes instead of starting from scratch. In this episode, you can learn: * A little bit of who I am, what I’ve been through, and why I’m starting this podcast * What it feels like to be diagnosed with and live with an autoimmune disorder and how we fight to survive, even thrive * Managing joint pain, atrophy, physical therapy, rehab and how it all feels * Building a process for yourself to fight back and compete against chronic illness * Using mediation, breathing exercises, yoga, running, physical therapy in a process to rebuild your body and mind, and adapting this process * The toll chronic pain and rehab can take on your mental health and joy * Taking your shot(s) when you have the opportunity to do so I hope this episode gives you some company and you learn a little something and feel a little something, and smile here and there too. I hope this show is a good friend to you in a world where joy is in short supply and where we all need all the help we can get in getting better, being better, and making and chasing our dreams. Have fun, have joy! -Amrit Bandy 00:00 Intro 00:35 Welcome to The Bandying Show (and Bandy) 02:18 What I I want this podcast to be, and thoughts on joy 05:35 Where have I been these last 5 years? 06:46 Let's get started 07:35 My Story of being diagnosed with an Autoimmune disorder (2003-2004) 13:05 Trying to rebuild my life instead of running away all the way up to crashing (2005-2012) 15:40 What atrophy can do to your body 16:47 A new process and a new life all the way up to disappearing again (2013-2020) 21:22 The toll of pain and rehab on the body and mind, but the joy of a fuller life 23:23 Enter Chronic Fatigue

Welcome to the Bandying Show

Welcome to The Bandying Show, my space to have conversations with you and my guests about chronic illness, mental health, joy, resilience, and all the strange, funny, deeply human bits in between. I recently realized that my autoimmune disorder, which I kept all to myself for more than 20 years, shaped me, my days, and the story of my life (Queue “The Story” by Brandi Carlile) more than I ever knew. Yes, there will be tons of music references! This is the kickoff episode for me to do a soundcheck, and for you to get used to my voice, learn to not fall asleep to the baritone, or do, if it helps, calibrate your ears to my accent, and find out why we’re both here and “What’s In The Box?” Yes, there will be tons of Gen X references. Most episodes I will pick one serious health topic where I draw you into the work it takes to survive the bad days, and to fight and compete to get better or even thrive, and another fun and joyful one that entertains you and cracks you up making the heavy stuff easier to take in. So, less “Do the work!”, more “This is what it takes!” salt-and-peppered with music, comedy, Gen X nostalgia, some absolutely silly nonsense, and anything else I can think of that helps us stay positive, stick with the process, and make the best of our days. You can have it all! In. One. Show. And you’re already on your way! I hope this show is a good friend to you in a world where joy is in short supply and where we all need all the help we can get in getting better, being better, and in making and chasing our dreams.