Mary LeDoux
Mary LeDoux
Advocate Location
Chicago , IL 60625
Specialty
Survivor Support
TeleAdvocacy Available
Offers FREE Initial Consultation
*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
After mire than a decade navigating life with complex chronic illness, I aim to help others by sharing my experience and knowledge. I have first-hand knowledge and experience with the following topics:
Dietary changes, mobility issues, insurance matters, clinical trials, Step-Up therapies for medications, treatment changes, diagnostic testing, alternative therapies, chronic illness and mental health, support groups, art therapy, psychotherapy modalities, insurance plan administration, and more.
Dietary changes, mobility issues, insurance matters, clinical trials, Step-Up therapies for medications, treatment changes, diagnostic testing, alternative therapies, chronic illness and mental health, support groups, art therapy, psychotherapy modalities, insurance plan administration, and more.
Important Information About Me
- I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
- I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
- My geographical area of practice is United States
My Survivor Support Advocacy Qualifications
I am a survivor of Scleroderma, Interstitial Lung Disease, Dermatomyositis, Essential Thrombocythemia, JAK2+, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Gastroparesis, MCAS, Post Traumatic Stress, Chronic Migraine
I spent many years as a benefits administrator with several companies and have first-hand knowledge as both a plan admin and as a patient. I have been living with Scleroderma for over 10 years and have navigated a very complex diagnosis and treatment journey. I am experienced with alternative therapies, as well as traditional medicine. I have changed course on my medication regimen many times over the years and have first hand experience with several drug and infusion treatment options.
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
In my early 20’s I began experiencing joint pain, severe GI issues, unusual allergic reactions, unexplained fevers, and other symptoms, all of which were disregarded by my providers as a result of lifestyle choices, or simply anxiety.
At age 26, the pain forced me to leave my career in the fine dining world, as I could no longer work on my feet. I changed careers and was able to find success in other industries. By age 34, nearing the peak of my career, I was absolutely thriving when my health started falling apart again. I was having months-long spells of vertigo, extreme migraines, debilitating GI issues, rashes, and joint pain. Despite a family history of autoimmune disease, my health care providers continued to ignore my symptoms. With no clear diagnosis or treatment plan, I spent tens of thousands of dollars on movement specialists, dieticians, and physical therapy.
At age 37, I found myself in the hospital for 10 days with gangrene in both hands, swelling, blood clots, and unmanageable pain. It took several more years, several rheumatologists, and a change of hospitals before I received a definitive diagnosis.
I’m now 47 years old living with scleroderma, myositis, interstitial lung disease, and essential thrombocytosis, a rare, chronic blood cancer.
Despite my knowledge of autoimmune diseases like scleroderma and my experience serving as a primary caregiver to my mother, I still faced unimaginable hurdles in getting diagnosed and getting the care I needed.
The lack of communication between specialists, and lack of scleroderma awareness by various providers presented huge challenges.
I have learned so much on my journey, and I want to help others find their way to the care they need and deserve. If I'd had someone with my experience to help guide me, I know that my results could have been very different.
My goal is to advocate for others because awareness is crucial to improving diagnosis, improving treatment and improving outcomes for rare disease patients.
At age 26, the pain forced me to leave my career in the fine dining world, as I could no longer work on my feet. I changed careers and was able to find success in other industries. By age 34, nearing the peak of my career, I was absolutely thriving when my health started falling apart again. I was having months-long spells of vertigo, extreme migraines, debilitating GI issues, rashes, and joint pain. Despite a family history of autoimmune disease, my health care providers continued to ignore my symptoms. With no clear diagnosis or treatment plan, I spent tens of thousands of dollars on movement specialists, dieticians, and physical therapy.
At age 37, I found myself in the hospital for 10 days with gangrene in both hands, swelling, blood clots, and unmanageable pain. It took several more years, several rheumatologists, and a change of hospitals before I received a definitive diagnosis.
I’m now 47 years old living with scleroderma, myositis, interstitial lung disease, and essential thrombocytosis, a rare, chronic blood cancer.
Despite my knowledge of autoimmune diseases like scleroderma and my experience serving as a primary caregiver to my mother, I still faced unimaginable hurdles in getting diagnosed and getting the care I needed.
The lack of communication between specialists, and lack of scleroderma awareness by various providers presented huge challenges.
I have learned so much on my journey, and I want to help others find their way to the care they need and deserve. If I'd had someone with my experience to help guide me, I know that my results could have been very different.
My goal is to advocate for others because awareness is crucial to improving diagnosis, improving treatment and improving outcomes for rare disease patients.
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