Monica shares her extraordinary journey through years of unexplained pain, repeated misdiagnoses, and a 20-month diagnostic odyssey that ultimately led to confirming that her symptoms were real, and that she was suffering from Craniocervical Instability (CCI), Chiari malformation, tethered cord syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). What begins as a story of a healthcare system that repeatedly failed to recognise a rare condition becomes a powerful conversation about resilience, advocacy and finding purpose through adversity.

Monica speaks openly about losing her health, career and identity, while also explaining how she reclaimed control by becoming an advocate for rare disease patients. She discusses the realities of navigating insurance denials, undergoing an eight-hour neurosurgical procedure, living with permanent disability, and why she is passionate about improving awareness of the relationship between connective tissue disorders and menopause.

Throughout the conversation, Monica demonstrates remarkable optimism, showing how writing, visualization techniques and advocacy have transformed one of the darkest periods of her life into a mission to help others feel seen, believed and less alone.

The song that Monica chose is Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.

This episode of On One Condition follows Jenny Trefzger’s journey through persistent abdominal and groin pain after surviving stage IV colon cancer.

After years of scans, colonoscopies, PET imaging, blood tests, spine evaluations, pain procedures, and repeated reassurances that cancer had not returned, Jenny eventually encountered the possibility of Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES), a frequently overlooked cause of chronic abdominal wall pain.

The conversation explores the emotional burden of living with a cancer history, the challenge of distinguishing new symptoms from recurrence anxiety, and the importance of hands-on examination, self-advocacy, and specialist expertise.

Despite a long and frustrating diagnostic journey, Jenny is optimistic that she has found the right team who will be able to treat her chronic pain.

The song that Jenny chose is At The Limit by Yuki Hayashi.

MaryAnn opens up with honesty about her daily life with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and gastroparesis. She shares how a fall in the bathroom spiralled into a life-altering condition that left her unable to walk, in relentless pain, and dismissed by multiple healthcare professionals. Despite visible healing on scans, she was battling invisible agony.

We discuss the different ways MaryAnn manages her condition, with music therapy, strict routines, soft textures, and self-advocacy. We also talk about how she found a lifeline in ketamine therapy, a controversial yet transformative treatment that helped her regain mobility and her mental stability.

As a founder of several clinical research companies, MaryAnn also reflects on how living with a chronic illness has changed her perspective as a clinical professional, strengthening her belief in patient-centered care.

The song MaryAnn chose is I am woman by Emmy Meli.