Today, January 4th, marks three years since I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. I still remember it like yesterday. I woke up from my colonoscopy with a cup of water in hand and I overheard the doctor tell my parents that it was definitely colitis. "There are ulcers covering her entire colon." At the time,… Continue reading Anniversary of My Diagnosis
Tag: mental health
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 Affects More Than the Gut
I saw a post on Instagram recently that said "Chronic illness is just as much a mental battle as a physical one." I wish this was something the chronic illness community could easily convey to others, but it just isn't that easy. Only when you are faced with the challenges a chronically ill person faces… Continue reading IBD Affects More Than the Gut
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
Combating the Sunday Scaries
The Sunday Scaries - we all dread them. This is a term that has become popular in recent years to refer to the intense anxiety and dread we feel before heading into the workweek. Typically this feeling starts to settle in on Sunday afternoon and evening. According to this article in Better by Today, up… Continue reading Combating the Sunday Scaries
Tips for Managing a Flare
Many IBD patients have found themselves in a flare over the past year due to the stress and uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. So far, I have been able to maintain my symptomatic remission during this time, but that does not remove the constant fear I have of possibly developing a flare. Let's be honest,… Continue reading Tips for Managing a Flare
Turning Struggles into Purpose
The biggest lesson that I have learned from being diagnosed with a chronic illness is turning my struggle into purpose. In my eyes, I had two options - one where I could be sad and let my disease affect my life, and another where I could use it to my advantage and lead my life… Continue reading Turning Struggles into Purpose
Creating Your Community
When I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I had no idea how important my community was going to be for me. Hearing the words - "you have a chronic illness" - is NOT easy to comprehend or incorporate into your daily life. I struggled for a few months and decided to only lean on… Continue reading Creating Your Community
A Book Review: The Mind-Gut Connection
I stumbled upon a book titled The Mind-Gut Connection by Emeran Mayer, MD at Sundance bookstore here in Reno recently. It was not a book I was really looking for, but was misplaced on the shelf and the cover caught my eye. I have written a previous blog post about the brain-gut connection and how… Continue reading A Book Review: The Mind-Gut Connection
Living With Gratitude
When I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, practicing gratitude was hard. How could I be grateful that I got a chronic, autoimmune disease with no cure? Those of you that know me personally know that I am a Catholic, faith-based woman. I grew up in the Catholic church and actively practice my faith. My… Continue reading Living With Gratitude
Turning Wellness into a Lifestyle 