What The Sopranos Actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler Wishes Shes Done Differently After MS Diagnosis

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1 year ago

September 29, 2023

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Share on Pinterest After living with multiple sclerosis for years, The Sopranos actor Jamie-Lynn Sigler shares what she wishes shed done differently after diagnosis and how she learned to thrive while living with the disease. NovartisActor Jamie-Lynn Sigler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the 3rd season of the The Sopranos.It took Sigler years to accept her diagnosis and share it with others.To help others living with MS, Sigler created a short guide that focuses on self-reflection.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler was 20-years old and on the iconic HBO show The Sopranos when she was diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS), which is a type of multiple sclerosis (MS), a condition of the central nervous system that affects processes between the brain and body.

I was showing some symptoms at the time that were confusing and there was no rhyme or reason to why I was feeling them, Sigler told Healthline.

Common symptoms of MS include fatigue, walking difficulties, muscle stiffness, vision issues, constipation, numbness and tingling in the arms/legs, and more.

Because Sigler was otherwise healthy and young, the diagnosis surprised her.

[I] think my initial reaction was fear and how do I protect myself with this, so I protected myself by not telling anyone and while that felt like the right thing to do at the time, in hindsight I was depriving myself of a support system and the care I think I needed, she said.

She believes the disease progressed more than it would have if she had taken a more proactive approach in understanding MS and how to take care of herself.

Its been a journey for me and many iterations of how to deal with the disease, said Sigler. Living with multiple sclerosis: Its OK to say, Im not OK

Sigler initially kept her diagnosis a secret from her fellow Sopranos cast members, which in hindsight, she said, affected her and her work.

I did have youth on my side, in that I could hide certain things or convince myself of certain things, but slowly I would open up to certain people and having a small albeit mighty group that knew, I still wasnt reaching out for help, she said. I was slowly trying to figure out what it would be like having people know about this.

She also shied away from an honest relationship with her MS specialist. She did not always abide by her treatment plan and didnt speak up when asked, How are you?

I had no voice. I think I thought that my power was taken away once I was given a diagnosis so I was never expressing what I was feeling physically or emotionally, said Sigler. Support systems are crucial for people living with multiple sclerosis

Because MS is a complex and unpredictable condition that can affect the body and also the mind and emotions,Dr. Kalina Sanders,board-certified neurologist at Baptist Neurology, said its crucial for patients to speak up about symptoms that affect both.

Our bodies are integrated and each aspect affects the other. Unmanaged mood disorders can make physical symptoms worse, she told Healthline.

Sigler limited the amount of time she saw or spoke to her MS specialist because she felt that the least amount of communication she had, the more in denial she could be.

However, during the 22 years of living with RMS, she gained knowledge about the disease and the confidence to be more open.

[When] you harbor any secret, you start to have these feelings of guilt and shame, she said.

Through many conversations with friends, family, and therapists, she learned to let go of those feelings. Progression of her disease also made it difficult to hide.

About 7 years ago, she decided to go public with her condition.

[Initially] my coming out about living with RMS was how is the world going to accept me? How is this industry going to accept me? How are they going to look at me? now that they know this news, said Sigler.

While it was a hard journey of self-reflection and allowing herself to feel sadness, fear, and grief that come along with a RMS diagnosis, she said today those concerns are gone and she accepts herself with the disease.

[I found] my voice, and when I came to this place of acceptance, its like, okay this is my reality but I still have a lot of hopes, and a lot of have dreams, and I have children, and I have a husband and I have a full life, how do I pivot? What can I do? What do I need? said Sigler. Creating a guide for others living with multiple sclerosis

Sigler helped develop a 3-step guide in partnership with Novartis for people living with MS that focuses on self-reflection. The steps include:reflectreframereach out

[This] guide is really about feeling safe with your feelings and feeling okay with your feelings because thats the way to move forward, said Sigler. I want [people living with MS] to feel represented [in this guide] and I want them to see thattaking the time to go through each step can allow them to set the foundation, to set the life that they still want and need and love.

The first step, self-reflection, encourages people to reflect on where they are in their MS journey as Sigler learned to do over the years.

The second step focuses on reframing your situation.

For Sigler, she said this might be going to a concert with friends and getting dropped off at the venue while they find parking or going to her sons baseball game and using a wagon to lean on as she walks to the field.

The third step, reaching out, recommends creating a support system and asking them for help.

[This] is really hard for anyone to doand in that reaching out stage, so many of my connections and relationships became deeper and more meaningful, said Sigler. People love to be help. I know my cup gets very full whenever Im helping any of my girlfriends or friends.

A trusting network can offer a listening ear and empathy during challenging times.

Additionally, they can offer companionship during medical appointments or treatments and help to ensure the patient is receiving appropriate and satisfactory care, said Sanders.

Connecting with your doctor is also part of this step.

Sigler knew her MS specialist was a fit when he told her at an initial visit that her voice needs to be the loudest in the room.

[That was the first time I felt like I had any power or say in my life after having a diagnosis such as MSIt allowed us to have a conversation and a back and forth and it allowed me to have a safe space to express what I was feeling and going through, she said.

Dr. Sharon Stoll, DO, assistant professor at Yale School of Medicine, said when patients visit her for the first after a MS diagnosis, they are scared and often dont speak up, which can cause disservice to them.

We in the medical community should be more open and create more of this transparency that if you dont share with us what youre going through, the limiting factors are in the disease and how it affects your life then we cant come up with a shared decision makinga treatment plan that works for you, Stoll told Healthline.

She starts visits with the question: How are you doing?

However, because most patients respond by saying theyre fine or great, she follows up with: and how are you really doing?

I find that unless you ask again, unless you rephrase it, reframe it, people often feel like they cant be honest even with a doctor, Stoll said. Im the one that can actually prescribe the medication and prescribe the physical therapy or the occupational therapy, so I just recommend anyone who suffers from this disease to really share that with their provider. Moving forward is possible while living with multiple sclerosis

The fear and trepidation that comes with a MS diagnosis is something Sigler knows well.

Despite being a celebrity, she still faces the same challenges that other people living with MS do.

But what I can say is anything is possible, especially in the world we live in now where theres so much discussion of inclusion and accessibility. I have been able to see firsthand the pivot and adjustments that can be made to still participate, to still move forward, she said. I might look perfect or normal or be how it used to be, but its still possible.

World

Pope Francis has ‘initial, mild’ kidney problem and still in critical condition, says Vatican

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6 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Pope Francis has 'initial, mild' kidney problem and still in critical condition, says Vatican

The Pope remains in a critical condition and is now showing an “initial, mild” kidney problem – but is “vigilant” and took part in Mass in hospital with those caring for him.

The Vatican statement said Francis hadn’t had any more “respiratory crises” since Saturday evening.

However, a problem with his kidneys has emerged, with blood tests showing “an initial, mild, renal insufficiency, which is currently under control”, according to the update.

The 88-year-old Pope is still having “high-flow oxygen therapy” into his nose, while his hemoglobin value has increased after being given blood transfusions on Saturday.

The Pope has been at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since 14 February and is being treated for double pneumonia and chronic bronchitis.

Sunday evening’s statement said he was “vigilant and well oriented”, but due to the complexity of his case the prognosis is “reserved”.

“During the morning, in the apartment set up on the 10th floor, he participated in the Holy Mass, together with those who are taking care of him during these days of hospitalization,” the update added.

On Sunday morning, the Vatican said the Pope had a “tranquil” night and confirmed he would not lead prayers for the second week running.

Instead, Francis, who has been Pope since 2013, prepared words to be read on his behalf at the recitation of the Angelus.

‘I ask you to pray for me’

The Pope’s message said: “I am confidently continuing my hospitalisation at the Gemelli Hospital, carrying on with the necessary treatment; and rest is also part of the therapy!

“I sincerely thank the doctors and health workers of this hospital for the attention they are showing me and the dedication with which they carry out their service among the sick.

“In recent days I have received many messages of affection, and I have been particularly struck by the letters and drawings from children.

“Thank you for this closeness, and for the prayers of comfort I have received from all over the world! I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary, and I ask you to pray for me.”

The message is understood to have been written in the last few days.

On Saturday night, the Vatican said the Pope was in a critical condition after a “prolonged respiratory crisis” that required a high flow of oxygen.

It said he’d had blood transfusions after tests revealed thrombocytopenia, which is associated with anaemia.

Millions around the world have been concerned about his increasingly frail health – and his condition has given rise to speculation over a possible resignation.

Faith is never lost but it feels optimism is fading

By Lisa Holland, Sky correspondent in Vatican City

It’s hard to imagine a Sunday in the Vatican City without the Pope. Every week – unless he’s travelling – he is a constant, appearing at the same Vatican windows to deliver his message.

Instead, his written words were distributed by Vatican officials. In his message, the Pope thanked his doctors and people around the world for their good wishes.

But it seems the upbeat message was written before the dramatic downturn in the Pope’s health, which has left him in a critical condition. The business and the events of the Church are continuing in his absence.

Faith is never lost but it feels like optimism is fading and we are living through the last days of Pope Francis.

In St Peter’s Square the sun shone – and a gentle light fell on the ancient stone of the basilica.
The beauty and pageantry of columns of deacons and visitors filing in for a special mass as part of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year sat awkwardly with the prognosis of the Pope’s ailing health.

The visitors and deacons who’d come from around the world to take part, and hoped to see the Pope, were left disappointed. Though they said they felt his presence. “It is what it is,” said one.

They know the Pope is an 88-year-old man who has spent the last few years assisted by a wheelchair and walking stick. Throughout his life he has been dogged by lung issues.

It leaves an almost philosophical mood ahead of what the coming days may bring.

Doctors said on Friday that he was “not out of danger” and was expected to remain in hospital for at least another week.

They also warned that while he did not have sepsis, there was always a risk the infection could spread in his body.

Sepsis is a complication of an infection that can lead to organ failure and death.

Pope Francis has a history of respiratory illness, having lost part of one of his lungs to pleurisy as a young man. He also had an acute case of pneumonia in 2023.

Environment

Volvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025

Published

8 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Volvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025

Volvo Penta BESS subsystem to be Bauma highlight

Volvo Penta will debut its latest modular and scalable battery energy storage system (BESS) platform for the off-grid construction and mining industries at the bauma equipment show – here’s what you can expect.

Best-known for its marine engines and gensets, Volvo Penta is the power production arm of the Volvo Group, specializing in putting energy to work. Operating under the tagline, ‘Made to Move You’, Volvo Penta is headed to bauma 2025 with a plan to keep construction, port shipping, and mining operations moving productively and competitively throughout their transitions to battery and (in theory, at least) hydrogen power.

To that end, the company will show off a job site ready version of the scalable and modular BESS subsystem concept shown last year.

Volvo says its new, modular BESS subsystem will enable other OEMs and third party system integrators to seamlessly deploy electric power to meet the ever-exceeding energy needs in construction and mining.

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“Our modular and scalable battery-electric platform is designed to support the electrification ecosystem—combining high-performance drivelines with the crucial energy storage subsystems for efficient charging and operation in construction and mining,” says Hannes Norrgren, President of Volvo Penta Industrial. “We want to meaningfully collaborate with our customers on value-added customization that will enable them to stay productive, efficient, and future-ready.”

The Penta substation at bauma will be built around the company’s “Cube” battery pack, an energy-dense solution with a favorable C-rate designed to make it easy for BESS manufacturers to offer more compact job site solutions capable of charging and discharging energy with high levels of speed and efficiency, enabling both stationary and mobile BESS configurations that can change and grow to meet the evolving needs of a given asset fleet or project.

A Volvo Penta-developed DC/DC unit converts the voltage from the Cube battery packs (600 V) into lower voltage (24 V) for powering auxiliaries and portable offices.

Electrek’s Take

BESS concept packed with Penta Cube batteries; via Volvo.

Volvo Penta has always provided power. Historically that’s been from combustion, but the company is looking ahead, developing products that will bring energy to job sites, tractors, and more long after the last ICE engine shuts down.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo Penta.

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World

Exit poll may appear decisive – but path to coalition is not clear yet

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8 hours ago

February 23, 2025

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Exit poll may appear decisive - but path to coalition is not clear yet

Initial exit polls appear to confirm what we have known for weeks: that the conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) and their Bavarian sister party the Christian Social Union (CSU) have got the most votes in the federal election, with Friedrich Merz most likely to be the next chancellor.

While this result isn’t a surprise, it doesn’t mean the path to power will be easy.

First off, the CDU-CSU don’t have a majority so they need to try to build a coalition.

Their most obvious choices as partners are the third-place Social Democrats. A two-party coalition is preferred as it can avoid excess bickering but the SPD and CDU disagree on several key points including sending long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Follow live: Germany’s election results

Forming a government can take months but Mr Merz is keen to speed up the process – aware of the pressing issues both at home and abroad.

One of those is the rise of the far right, with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party celebrating historic results.

The initial results suggest that for the first time since the Second World War, a far-right party has got the second highest number of votes.

That could also cause serious issues for the next government.

As a result of Germany‘s Nazi history, mainstream parties have a long-running pact known as the “firewall” which says they will not work with the far right.

Even before the polls had closed, AfD leader Alice Weidel echoed Donald Trump and released a video statement urging people to “observe” the ballots being counted and to “protect democracy”.

Many of the AfD’s supporters have said not allowing the second most popular party into government is undemocratic, threatening to take to the streets.

The US vice president JD Vance also sparked outrage when he spoke out against the firewall at the recent Munich Security Conference and suggested the new Trump administration would be ready to work with the AfD.

Conversely, in the run-up to the election, hundreds of thousands of Germans have protested to demand that the firewall remains.

In January, Mr Merz caused controversy when a draft motion got through parliament with AfD support, he’s since vowed he will not go into government with them.

If he sticks to that pledge then he is likely to see right-wing demonstrations as well becoming a target of prominent AfD backers including Elon Musk.

The AfD’s result also cannot be ignored. While some of the vote may be a protest, the party has expanded its traditional base in the east to pick up support in the west.

Dissatisfaction over migration, the economy, rocketing prices and the war in Ukraine have all helped to grow its ranks as people feel ignored by mainstream parties.

Mr Merz has already tried to win back some of its voters by proposing tough migration reforms including permanent checks on the borders and potentially turning away some asylum seekers when they try to enter.

If he fails to deliver on these promises then the AfD will continue to make gains.

Other urgent to dos for the next government include sorting out Germany’s economy following two years of recession and restoring its position at the centre of the EU.

Ministers must also face up to the fact their traditional allies are no longer guaranteed.

The Trump administration appears to be ripping up the rule book when it comes to being a protector of Europe and its ongoing support for Ukraine.

If America steps back, as Europe’s largest power and Ukraine’s largest European backer, Germany will have to step up.

Again, that’s going to be a big challenge as its military needs to be transformed.

The final results are not even confirmed yet but whatever form it takes, the next government knows it has four years to fix Germany, if it fails then populists are highly likely to ride to power in 2029.