December 1-7 is IBD Awareness Week. At this exact time four years ago I started feeling symptoms and didn't know what it was. As I approach my four year diagnosis anniversary, I reflect on what having a chronic illness means to me, how it has changed me, and what it has taught me. If you… Continue reading IBD Awareness Week: What IBD Has Taught Me
Tag: crohns disease
3 Common Biologics for IBD
Most people do not know what biologics are, as they are a relatively new treatment for patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). I'm sure you've seen the commercials, but you're probably left wondering how they actually work. Biologics are protein-based antibodies used to stop certain proteins in the body from causing inflammation. Biologics are typically… Continue reading 3 Common Biologics for IBD
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
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
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
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
Endoscopic Remission
Today, I had a colonoscopy - my third one since being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2019. I never really look forward to prepping for the colonoscopy; in fact, I dread it every time. The idea of not being able to eat any solid food for an entire day is awful, because I love my… Continue reading Endoscopic Remission
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
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
Navigating Life’s Great Divide
Little book nerd me recently finished a book titled Between Two Kingdoms: A Memoir of a Life Interrupted by Suleika Jaouad. I have to say it was one of the best books I have read in recent years. I found it relatable in every aspect - so relatable that I highlighted forty passages on my… Continue reading Navigating Life’s Great Divide
Turning Wellness into a Lifestyle 