We're officially entering the final stretch of 2024! Can you believe it?

Time seems to be flying by, which is why I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate some wins – both big and small.

I'm a big believer in the power of acknowledging our accomplishments, no matter how big or small. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind, the to-do lists, and the challenges of living with a chronic illness like Sjogren's, MCAS, or anything in between.

Taking the time to celebrate those wins, those moments of progress and joy, helps us stay motivated, re-energized, and connected to our purpose.

So, I'm excited to share some of my wins over the last 3 months with you, and I'd love to hear about YOUR wins too! What are you celebrating this quarter? Hit reply and share your story with me! 💖

Here's a glimpse at what I've been celebrating these past few months:

In the Office:

• Completed my first cohort of ILIT patients! It's incredibly rewarding to see patients experiencing real relief from their allergies and asthma. Learn more about ILIT and how it might help you: https://www.drkarawada.com/allergy-relief-ilit
• Applied to be recognized as a Mast Cell Center of Excellence! We'll find out in a few weeks if we're accepted into this esteemed group, but just applying feels like a win in itself! And in the meantime, I'm launching a new Facebook group specifically for those struggling with mast cell disorders – stay tuned for more details!

Continuing Education:

• Completed 3 Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) courses (bioenergetics, GI, and environmental medicine) and attended 2 mast cell conferences! There's always so much to learn, and I'm excited to integrate this new knowledge into my practice.

Online:

• The Becoming Immune Confident podcast reached 2,500 subscribers on YouTube!
  I'm incredibly grateful for this growing community and the positive feedback I've received. Speaking of positive feedback...

  

  Reading these kind words truly fuels my passion for sharing information and empowering those living with chronic illnesses.

• Speaking of the podcast... we're taking a short pause to prepare for the launch of a brand-new podcast in mid-November – "Lessons We Didn't Learn in Medical School."
  

  This podcast, co-hosted by my colleague Dr. Beth Vukin, will explore the challenges of navigating the healthcare system as both patients and physicians. We'll be sharing personal stories, interviewing experts, and creating a space for open and honest conversations about the realities of chronic illness.

  Interested in being part of the launch team? Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks!

• And last but not least... one of my recent Instagram reels went viral with over 70K views! 🎉

  
  
  It's amazing to see this message resonating with so many people!

The Sjogren's Community is Growing Stronger!

The Virtual Sjogren's Summit 2024: A Summit for Hope and Healing Beyond Symptoms was a huge success, with over 1,100 attendees from around the world!

I'm so grateful to everyone who participated and shared their stories.

Here are a few highlights from the feedback we received:

"I would just like to thank Dr Kara and Cristina and all the presenters for your time, honesty, openness about your own personal journey, and professional expertise.  I don't know how y'all did this along with dealing with your own Sjogren's, jobs, and family.  Your efforts are VERY MUCH APPRECIATED more than you'll ever know!!!!!"

"I have numerous autoimmune diseases including Raynaud's. RA, Scleroderma, PAH as well as Sjogren's.  I found her (Dr. Leslie Lang) session so interesting since my mouth is very, very dry.  I am excited to try a few of her suggestions!"

"Bexi's presentation resonated with me and my skin problems. I also loved the breathing and Yoga presentations. Over all, this summit was just what I needed."

"I felt really connected to her (Dr. Sarah Schafer) story. Being a licensed professional myself and having to go on disability not long into my career, I relate to the frustration. I will most definitely be checking out her website."

"I loved the positivity of all the speakers... it's impossible to select one. All of the topics were so useful and I look forward to applying my new knowledge."

Mark your calendars – the Virtual Sjogren's Summit will be back next year!

Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens

And for those who joined us for the Virtual Sjogren's Summit: I'd love to see photos of you rocking your swag! Share with me or on social media and tag me so we can all celebrate your wins!

Personal Wins: Embracing New Beginnings

In addition to these professional wins, I'm also celebrating some exciting personal milestones this quarter:

• We sold our old house and are moving next week to our new home! This has been a long process, but we're thrilled to be starting this new chapter.
• I'm committed to getting stronger and prioritizing my physical health. I've started lifting weights regularly, and it's amazing how much better I feel – both physically and mentally!

The Last 90 Days: Your Chance to Finish Strong

We're entering the final stretch of 2024 – the last 90 days!

What are your goals for this quarter? What do you want to accomplish?

Let's make these last 90 days the most impactful yet and set ourselves up for success in 2025!

Join the waitlist for my next Sjogren's Superpowers Activated 28-Day Challenge

Starting October 23rd!