IBD Awareness

3 Common Tests for IBD Patients

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients know a whole lot about getting tests done...almost too much. It isn't always the most fun, but I constantly remind myself that the tests will (hopefully!) provide answers. Since IBD is such a complicated illness, we can't always rely on how we are feeling. Sometimes how we feel on the… Continue reading 3 Common Tests for IBD Patients

IBD Awareness

When Nothing Hurts

I haven't been writing nearly as much as I used to or want to, and I'm kicking myself for that. Writing is an outlet for me and it was the best discovery I could have ever made during my ulcerative colitis (UC) recovery journey. I am better able to express my thoughts and feelings when… Continue reading When Nothing Hurts

IBD Awareness

Intentions

A few months ago, I was challenged to set a one-word intention for the year. While it was tough to choose just one word, I settled on strength. I chose this because it embodies grit, perseverance, and resilience in one word. After two years of dealing with a world pandemic, I found it hard to… Continue reading Intentions

IBD Awareness

World IBD Day: A Lesson in Self-Worth

Today, May 19th, is World IBD Day! Today is a great day to bring awareness to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and those illnesses that fall under this umbrella term - Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation advertises this day each year and when I went to their website to see how… Continue reading World IBD Day: A Lesson in Self-Worth

IBD Awareness

5 Things IBD Patients Want You To Know

I have always found the hardest part about living with a chronic illness is conveying it to others. There are so many layers to it, and they cannot always be seen by the naked eye. Many of the effects are emotional, internal, and invisible. This blog post is a list of my top five things… Continue reading 5 Things IBD Patients Want You To Know

IBD Awareness

It Doesn’t End Here

After receiving the news a few months ago that I was officially in endoscopic remission, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. It felt like I could finally take a deep breath. No more worrying that I had lingering inflammation in my colon. While this news was worth celebrating, I still felt like… Continue reading It Doesn’t End Here

IBD Awareness

Injection Day Essentials

Happy Friday! Friday to me means injection day. I know it is not the best day to have to do an injection, but it is something I have gotten used to over the past two years. My journey with Humira has been long - I have gotten over the insurance bumps, the delayed medication bumps,… Continue reading Injection Day Essentials

IBD Awareness

Invest in Yourself

After being diagnosed with a chronic illness, I lost a lot of my self-confidence and it wasn't easy to gain it back. I thought I would never have the chance to live the life I wanted and had planned for myself. I remember making that conscious decision to invest in myself. It was a decision… Continue reading Invest in Yourself

IBD Awareness

Trust Your Gut

As someone with IBD, I find it hard to trust my gut. By this, I don't mean trusting my instincts. I mean trusting that my gut will behave on a daily basis. One thing I have always struggled with as someone who has ulcerative colitis is the unpredictability of the disease. I could feel really… Continue reading Trust Your Gut

IBD Awareness

The Changing of Seasons

Fall is my favorite season by far (and not only because November is my birthday month!). Something about the changing colors of the leaves, the cooler weather, and turning on the fireplace brings me joy. I don't usually like change, but as someone living with IBD, I have to learn to like it. The change… Continue reading The Changing of Seasons