World IBD Day 2026 & Colonoscopy Update

Today is one of those days where my IBD took center stage, which is ironic since it is World IBD Day! This morning, I completed my sixth colonoscopy. No, I didn’t plan for it to fall on World IBD Day. I just got lucky. (If you call having six colonoscopies in your twenty-eight years of life lucky.) Today, I find out if Skyrizi is putting me on the path to remission. I’ve become a seasoned pro at colonoscopy prep at this point, but I still had to go back and reread my tips and tricks blog post from last year to refresh my memory. The only thing I did differently this year was make my own gummy bears to help with the prep.

Not only did I have a colonoscopy today, but I was due for my Skyrizi injection during my prep yesterday. I was a little skeptical about this because I didn’t want my injection to influence the results of my colonoscopy (making it look better than it actually is) or give me negative side effects, but my doctor advised me that it was okay to do my injection. I did have to watch the how-to video as a refresher since it’s been eight weeks, but it was seamless. You can read more about my OBI injection experience in my previous blog post.

Thankfully, my doctor told me he didn’t see any sign of active ulcerative colitis or inflammation, meaning that visually, I am in remission. I really didn’t believe him at first. I think I asked the nurse and him multiple times if he was sure. They took biopsies and will report back to me if they find anything at the cellular level. I’m amazed at how fast my body has responded to Skyrizi after only six months of being on the medication AND being interrupted by C diff. I think it’s a miracle drug and I’m more hopeful now as I continue this journey of getting my life back.

World IBD Day to me is the perfect opportunity to inform, educate, inspire, and raise awareness of this invisible, chronic disease. The effects of IBD ripple through daily life and often bring about more questions than answers. It’s missed birthday parties and celebrations, it’s feeling like you’re not sure if you can make it through the work day, it’s feeling angry at your body for not doing what it’s supposed to, and it’s just plain exhausting – physically, mentally and emotionally. Having a chronic illness is like riding the waves. There are highs and lows, but the key to managing it all is surrounding yourself with a good, supportive community and remind yourself that doing your best today is enough.

If you want to help raise awareness of IBD today, please feel free to share my blog with those who may need it or donate to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation to help find a cure.