A Day At Disneyland With A Collapsed Lung

🎙️ Episode Summary In this powerful yet uplifting episode, Steph shares her harrowing journey of discovering — and living with — Valley Fever, a rare fungal illness that led to a collapsed lung while she was walking around Disneyland. From the first cough to surgery at the Mayo Clinic, Steph opens up about what she's learned, the misconceptions around the disease, and why awareness matters — all with humor and resilience. Ed helps unpack the story, adding context and questions (plus a few Disney tie-ins along the way).

🕒 Episode Highlights & Time Stamps

00:00 – Intro: Welcome to Catch Us At The Castle!

01:15 – Steph reveals her collapsed lung story from Disneyland

02:30 – Early symptoms and multiple misdiagnoses

05:00 – Learning what Valley Fever actually is — and how it's contracted

07:00 – Surprising stats about where Valley Fever exists in the U.S.

09:45 – When the "just pneumonia" diagnosis didn't add up

11:00 – Steph's determination to make it to Disneyland's Pride Night anyway

13:00 – The trip that changed everything: Mayo Clinic and the collapse confirmation

15:20 – Facing surgery and what doctors found inside Steph's lung

18:50 – Recovering and discovering new non-opioid pain options

22:45 – Steph's takeaways: how to advocate for yourself with doctors

25:20 – Living with Valley Fever long-term and finding hope

27:45 – Looking ahead: awareness, advocacy, and Disney dreams ahead

30:00 – Closing thoughts: Steph's return to the parks and Ed's reflections

✨ Key Takeaways

• Don't ignore a cough that lingers more than 3 weeks — especially if you live in or travel through the Southwest.
• Ask for a Valley Fever test (and re-test if symptoms persist).
• Advocate for your care — Steph's persistence likely saved her life. New testing and treatment options are emerging, thanks to research at Mayo Clinic.