What if the answers you need aren’t available locally?

What if genetic testing could open doors to treatments you didn’t know existed?

What if one second opinion could change everything?

In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli shares the story that forever changed her life — walking beside her brother during his seven-year journey with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

In honor of Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month, Dr. Borrelli and Christine discuss what patients and families need to know about this rare and often overwhelming diagnosis. From the challenges of late detection to the powerful advancements in precision medicine, this conversation brings clarity to a complex disease.

You’ll learn:

• What cholangiocarcinoma is and why it’s often diagnosed late
• How molecular and genetic testing (FGFR2, IDH1, BRAF, HER2 and more) are transforming treatment options
• Why early testing can dramatically expand access to targeted therapies and immunotherapy
• The critical role of second opinions and specialty centers
• How clinical trials may provide access to cutting-edge treatments
• Why private patient advocacy can be life-changing in rare cancer care

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/ to get started.

Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:

Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates

Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates

Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates

Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates

LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates

pathwaypa.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt invisible in your illness?

Ever been told your symptoms were anxiety… exaggeration… or “just stress”?

Have you wondered why some stories of illness are believed, while others are dismissed?

In this powerful episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with award-winning author, professor, and patient advocate Laurie Edwards — a leading voice in chronic illness storytelling and public health.

Long before chronic illness was widely discussed on social media, Laurie was writing about it. Through her groundbreaking books Life Disrupted and In the Kingdom of the Sick, and her essays in outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and The Boston Globe, she has helped shape the national conversation around what it really means to live with chronic disease.

But Laurie doesn’t just write about chronic illness. She lives it.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in patient advocacy
• How chronic illness activism has shaped medical breakthroughs and civil rights
• The impact of Long COVID on public awareness of chronic conditions
• Why women’s pain is still more likely to be dismissed — and the dangerous consequences of that bias
• The unique challenges young adults with chronic illness face in education, relationships, and careers
• How “writing to heal” can help patients process trauma, reclaim their narrative, and advocate more effectively

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 Laure Edwards:

https://www.laurieedwardswriter.com/

https://www.facebook.com/laurieedwardswriter

www.linkedin.com/pub/laurie-edwards/1/9a5/849

Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:

Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates

Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates

Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates

Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates

LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates

pathwaypa.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many times have you found yourself waiting in healthcare?

Waiting weeks for an appointment…

Waiting hours in an exam room…

Waiting days for results that could change your life?

And have you ever wondered — why has this become so normal?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine unpack one of the most universal and emotionally charged experiences in healthcare: waiting.

But this conversation goes deeper than scheduling delays.

Because in healthcare, we’re not just waiting on time.

We’re waiting on answers.

On reassurance.

On relief.

On news that could reshape our future.

Dr. Borrelli explores why waiting feels so different in medical settings, especially for patients navigating anxiety, trauma histories, chronic illness, or urgent symptoms. While system strain, staffing shortages, administrative burdens, and emergencies explain many delays, they don’t erase the emotional impact of silence and uncertainty.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why waiting without communication can feel dismissive — even unsafe

• The hidden system pressures contributing to delays

• When waiting becomes more than frustration and turns into a patient safety issue

• How silence erodes trust in the patient-provider relationship

• What patients are really asking for (hint: it’s not perfection)

• Small but meaningful changes that can restore dignity and transparency

• How private patient advocacy transforms passive waiting into informed, supported care

Because most patients don’t expect healthcare to be perfect.

They want transparency.

Respect.

Communication.

And acknowledgment that their time and symptoms matter.

If you’ve ever sat alone in an exam room wondering whether you were forgotten… this episode is for you.

And if navigating delays feels overwhelming, Pathway Patient Advocates is here to bridge the gaps, ensure your concerns are clearly communicated, and help keep your care moving forward.

You don’t have to wait in silence.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

Listen to the next episode of "Ask the Patient Advocate" as we continue to empower you with insights and strategies for navigating your healthcare journey with confidence.

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/ to get started.

Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:

Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates

Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates

Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates

Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates

LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates

pathwaypa.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a rare cancer goes undiagnosed for too long? How can a patient advocate make a difference in the fight for proper care?

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli shares her firsthand experience navigating the complexities of the healthcare system after her brother’s battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). From delayed diagnoses and medical errors to miscommunication between specialists, she exposes the challenges that so many patients face—especially with rare diseases.

Joined by Christine from the Pathway Patient Advocates team, they break down:

✅ Why rare cancers like cholangiocarcinoma are often misdiagnosed

✅ How medical miscommunication can delay treatment

✅ The critical role of private patient advocates in ensuring proper care

✅ Practical advice for families navigating complex diagnoses

If you or a loved one is facing a rare or serious illness, you don’t have to do it alone. This episode is packed with insights, strategies, and resources to empower you on your healthcare journey.

Tune in to the next episode of "Ask the Patient Advocate" as we continue to empower you with insights and strategies for navigating your healthcare journey with confidence.

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 Dr. Elena Borrelli:

Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates

Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates

Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates

Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates

LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates

pathwaypa.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered how nutrition can impact your journey with chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? How can diet play a role in managing symptoms like fatigue, pain, and digestive issues?

In this episode of the Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, we sit down with Registered Dietitian and EDS expert, Katie Mednick. Katie not only brings professional expertise but also has firsthand experience living with EDS. We dive deep into her personal health journey, the connection between EDS and nutrition, and how she helps clients optimize their diets to reduce symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Join us as we explore the misconceptions surrounding diet and chronic illness, the importance of anti-inflammatory foods, and practical first steps for those looking to improve their health through nutrition. If you're navigating a complex condition like EDS, this episode is packed with insights that could make a real difference in how you approach your daily nutrition and well-being.

Tune in to the next episode of "Ask the Patient Advocate" as we continue to empower you with insights and strategies for navigating your healthcare journey with confidence.

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 Katie

edsnutrition@gmail.com

Instagram: @edsnutrition

https://edsnutrition.com/

Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:

Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates

Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates

Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates

Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates

LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates

pathwaypa.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever opened a letter from your insurance company only to find out they denied your claim? Did you wonder, “Now what? Am I stuck with this bill?” Or maybe you felt overwhelmed by the confusing appeals process and weren’t sure where to turn.

In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Brelli sits down with Christine, a member of the Pathway team, to demystify the world of insurance claim denials. Together, they break down why claims often get denied, the steps you can take to appeal, and how a private patient advocate can step in to fight on your behalf.

You’ll hear real-life stories of patients who turned denials into approvals, practical advice for what to do the moment you receive that dreaded letter, and reassurance that a “no” from your insurance company isn’t the end of the road.

If you’ve ever felt lost in the maze of medical bills and insurance red tape, this episode is packed with hope, clarity, and actionable next steps.

🎧 Tune in now to learn how to take control of your recovery, feel heard, and move forward — one step at a time.

Listen to the next episode of "Ask the Patient Advocate" as we continue to empower you with insights and strategies for navigating your healthcare journey with confidence.

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 Dr. Elena Borrelli:

Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates

Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates

Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates

Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates

LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates

pathwaypa.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.