What brings you gratitude amidst IBD?
Living with IBD presents its unique set of challenges, but with the holiday season upon us, let's share our moments of gratitude. Whether big or small, these moments can serve as reminders that amidst the struggles, there are also reasons to celebrate and be thankful.
Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections, and moments that have brought joy or comfort during your IBD journey. It could be the support of loved ones, moments of personal strength, a medical breakthrough, or any other positive aspect that has made a difference.
We'll start: We're thankful for all of you in our supportive community!
I'm grateful for my family!
I love this! It sounds like you have a wonderful family. Sending you (and them) gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member) 
It's always a gift to have family and support. I hope you are enjoying your holidays. Best, Elizabeth (team member)
I've thought about how blessed I am for the GOOD things about colitis and I wrote a post about it last year on my blog. Here is a shortened version. I am thankful . . .
1. That I live today and not a hundred years ago. If I lived back then, I would be dead.
2. That we have ALL kinds of medicines and supplements.
3. For medical insurance, good or bad.
4. For those who go into the field of gastroenterology.
5. For indoor plumbing. (Aren't we all thankful for that?)
6. For toilet paper! SOFT toilet paper.
7. For adult diapers.
8. To my husband for taking over family responsibilities when I was incapacitated for months.
9. For masks. For a time, I couldn't have left the house without them.
10. For television and electronic devices that help distract me.
11. For those who share their colitis experiences online, create communities, and continually update research and other information.
12. For the wonderful, caring people who show and extend their understanding and do fun little things to lift my spirits.
13. For those involved in research of IBDs and ALL diseases and afflictions in general.
These are all the good things about colitis. As bad as colitis is, my situation could be so much worse. When I start feeling despondent or overwhelmed, I remember all the good things that make colitis easier for me.
Wow
, this is a great list. My wife, Kelly, was diagnosed at age two with a severe form of a different autoimmune condition and I can think of how all of these apply (with a few tweaks). Definitely grateful for how options for those with autoimmune conditions continue to increase and improve. Happy Thanksgiving, Richard (Team Member) Great list. Thank you for taking the time to share it. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. -Elizabeth (team member)
I’m grateful for my family, they supported me throughout my 4 year long wait for a new liver; my original liver was decimated by Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Sarcoidosis. Grateful for the surgeons who gave me my new one, and I will always have in my thoughts and prayers the donor whose liver I now carry.I have a LOT to be thankful for!
Wow, that is so touching. I can imagine you think about your donor wondering about their story. Life is so beautifully complicated. I do hope you are continuing to feel well today. I'm happy to hear that you are doing well. Thank you for sharing your story. -Elizabeth (team member) Sorry, it was May 23, 2021.
Thank you Elizabeth! I am doing well, I’m no spring chicken anymore, lol, just some age-related stuff. I am 70, after all. I’m an amateur astronomer and I enjoy getting out under the stars with my telescope and showing people the Sun, the Moon, and the stars like they have never seen them , it’s very rewarding.
I have a lot of living to do yet!🙂You are 70 years young, that's for sure. You certainly have a lot of living to do. How wonderful you whip out your telescope to show others the beauty of the cosmos. I have a telescope in my home and I have no idea how to calibrate it! I'll get to it one of these days because who doesn't love looking into the bright night sky? Stay well, Elizabeth (team member) Thanks, Richard! What a cool place it must’ve been to work! Someday I hope to see a rocket launch, it’s on my bucket list. I like to see the ISS fly over, I get either a NASA notification or a notification from my SkySafari AP. Sorry about the late response.
