In this episode, Jen Joly is joined by fellow PVS mom Lauren Bizarro, a former bench scientist who now works in cancer pharmaceuticals, to share the story of her son Myles and their family’s journey with pulmonary vein stenosis. From the shock of a “quiet baby” leading to an emergency admission, to life on an eight-week catheter schedule, Lauren talks openly about the relentlessness of PVS — how it acts like cancer, but isn’t cancer, and the impossible tasks families face along the way.
Together, Jen and Lauren dive into what life really looks like when the refrigerator breaks and the phone won’t stop ringing. They also challenge assumptions that caths are “easy,” while finding ways to keep perspective, grieve the life you thought you’d have, and the confidence needed to navigate it all.
In this special "mini-episode", host Jen Joly sheds light on her own family’s deeply personal journey with Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS) — a story many listeners have asked to hear.
Since Summer’s diagnosis at 11 weeks old in July 2022, their path has been marked by uncertainty, fierce advocacy, and the quiet strength of one extraordinary child.
From critical care decisions to navigating palliative and transplant conversations, Jen reflects on the resilience it takes to face the unimaginable. And the moments of kindness, clarity, and courage that helped them keep going.
This story is about more than survival. It’s about thriving, even when the odds say otherwise.
In this episode, Jen Joly is joined by Jori Monich—fellow PVS mom, two-time twin mom, and long-time member of the PVS Families group on Facebook. Jen and Jori reflect on their often parallel journeys through the world of pediatric pulmonary vein stenosis as Jori shares her daughter Avery’s story with raw honesty—including that unforgettable moment when someone finally said, “I think we can save her.”
Together, they unpack everything from diagnosis trauma and feeding tubes to sibling dynamics, impossible decisions, and the strange blessing of a routine broken arm. They talk openly about guilt, comparison, medical PTSD, traveling for care during a pandemic, and the emotional toll of having to console others while barely holding it together themselves.
Jori also shares how she’s helping Avery begin to advocate for herself—speaking up in appointments, recognizing her limits, and finding her own voice in the medical world.
In this episode, Jen Joly speaks with Liz Poe, co-founder of The Lady Josephine Foundation, as they explore the layered and deeply human experience of raising a child with Pulmonary Vein Stenosis (PVS). Jen and Liz discuss the emotional and logistical upheavals of traveling for care, the heartbreak of missing life milestones, navigating developmental therapies, and much more.
As a mother of four, Liz reflects on the everyday tension of being present for all her children — and the intentional ways she and her husband, Ben, kept their family connected, building meaningful bonds for both their PVS warrior and her siblings.
Together, Jen and Liz talk about embracing their own version of “normal” and how building community remains central to Liz and Ben’s mission with The PVS Warriors Foundation, formerly The Lady Josephine Foundation.
In this episode, host Jen Joly talks with fellow working mom Lindsay Hughes about the extraordinary journey of raising a child with Pulmonary Vein Stenosis. The conversation traces Lindsay’s path from her daughter's premature birth at just 24 weeks (and her own traumatic preeclampsia experience) through life in the NICU, ongoing medical crises, and the realities of long-term caregiving.
Together, Jen and Lindsay explore the emotional highs and lows of parenting a medically complex child—while also managing demanding careers. They discuss the importance of flexible employers, the role of state insurance, and the quiet strength it takes to juggle it all. With personal insights from both women, this episode is a powerful testament to resilience, advocacy, and the support that comes from shared experience.
In this episode, host Jen Joly is joined by U.K.-based PVS Mom, Mischa Hand. Jen and Mischa share their heartfelt journeys as mothers navigating the complexities of their daughters' pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS). Despite living in different countries, their experiences highlight the universal challenges of advocating for their children's care, from securing access to specialized treatment to balancing the emotional and logistical hurdles along the way.
Through candid conversations about the U.S. and U.K. healthcare systems, they explore how advocacy transcends borders, connecting families in a shared mission to provide the best possible outcomes for their children. This episode offers insights, hope, and solidarity to parents facing similar paths.
In this trailer for Navigating PVS, host Jen Joly introduces the mission behind the podcast and what listeners can expect. Jen shares a brief look at her family's journey and explains her commitment to creating a helpful, welcoming space for families impacted by PVS (Pulmonary Vein Stenosis) to come together and share their stories.
Through heartfelt conversations, this podcast aims to shed light on the challenges, triumphs, and the daily realities faced by those navigating life with a child impacted by PVS. Whether you’re a family member, a caregiver, or a rare teen/young adult survivor of PVS, this podcast is here to amplify your voice, provide support, and foster a sense of community.
Tune in for a preview of what's to come and join Jen as she begins this meaningful journey to create connection and understanding within the PVS community.