06 "Living In Overtime" [David's Story]

What would you do if your life took a turn and you were suddenly given more time to be alive?

In this SUPERHUMAN story, Dr. David Fajgenbaum faces death five times as he struggles to overcome a rare life-threatening disease. Against all odds, he attempts to chase his own cure, proving that with perseverance we can alter the course of our lives… and maybe live in overtime.

Listen, absorb, and explore how you see yourself in David's story.

Then share.

Trigger Warnings: rare disease, incurable disease, terminal illness, idiopathic multicentric Castleman’s disease, suicidal ideation, depression, death, cancer

Emotional Themes: grit, love, hope, loss, grief, frustration, hopelessness, despair, confidence, positivity, determination, persistence, resiliency, ambition, joy, uncertainty, coping, adapting, support

SUPERHUMANS is intended for mature audiences. Stories are raw and real. Do not consider this medical advice. Please consult with a health professional should you need medical attention.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

Help is available 24 hours a day.

STORYTELLER BIO:

David Fajgenbaum is a disease hunter, a groundbreaking physician-scientist, and a National Bestselling author. His memoir, "Chasing My Cure: A Doctor’s Race to Turn Hope Into Action," details the haunting uncertainty of being diagnosed with a disease that offers more questions than it does answers. But what's wild—and one of the things that makes David SUPERHUMAN—is that he decided to hunt down the answers while fighting for his life. In doing so, he co-founded the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network (CDCN) and is also one of the youngest individuals to be appointed to the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania. We're thankful David is here. His story is medicine. 

SHOW NOTES:

• David Fajgenbaum: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
• Read his National Bestselling Book: Chasing My Cure: A Doctor’s Race to Turn Hope Into Action
• Perelman School of Medicine: David's Research
• New York Times: His Doctors Were Stumped. Then He Took Over.
• Good Morning America: 1 Doctor’s Remarkable Journey to Try to Cure His Rare Disease

CONNECT WITH SUPERHUMANS:

• Dr. G and Pamela want to hear from you. 
• SUPERHUMANS: Instagram | Newsletter | Website | Pitch Us Your Story
• Email: [e-mail]
• Get involved with Well Played

CONNECT WITH THE CREATORS:

• Dr. G (Gautam Gulati): Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Newsletter
• Pamela Rothenberg: Instagram | .css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}