Living

I remember when I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2009. It was just shy of my 24th birthday and I was terribly embarrassed to share my new diagnosis...

As an IBD patient on a biologic, I have been immuno-compromised for years. I have made the choice to get the flu shot each year, to wear a mask when...

This is part of a series about how my ulcerative colitis impacted different parts of my life. This is not my usual type of post. There are no tips, learnings...

Patient advocacy has a way of pulling at your heartstrings. There are moments that stand out and make you pause to recognize that the work you are doing is changing...

Since I was a child, I've always struggled with slight anemia. I remember going in for my annual check-up before school would start, and across the board, all my blood...

I remember feeling overwhelmed 5 years ago after my initial diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. It was an illness that I knew little about and felt ill-prepared to fight. I still...

I really strive for myself to be at work every day. I teach 182 days a year, and up to last week, I had perfect attendance. Of course, it is...

Being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease is devastating. No one is thrilled to hear that they have an autoimmune condition. It may be relieving to finally know why you are feeling...

I have been talking openly and honestly about having inflammatory bowel disease for years now. I guess that would make most people assume that I am not embarrassed about it...

As someone who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) 20 years ago, I have experienced a lot. I also know firsthand how difficult it is to navigate a new diagnosis...

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) refers to several conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. The two most common are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD can cause symptoms such...

Editor's Note: Response to treatments are different for every person. Please discuss any concerns about medications with your healthcare professional. If you've been following my writing on here, you may...

IBD sufferers frequently experience abdominal pain. This is often chronic and debilitating. In other cases, it can force you to go to the hospital for an obstruction. Certainly, at the...

While some appointments can be done virtually using telemedicine, there are still many visits that need to be done in person. If you need to attend an in-person visit, planning...

I sometimes get asked: how did you know you had Crohn's disease? And the answer is, I didn't. I had no clue what was going on in my body and I...

We have all heard of fiber and are familiar with what it does. To formally define it, fiber is the part of plant-based foods (grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans) that...

Invisible awareness day; it’s talked about all of the time. We’re aware. Down in the trenches of advocacy and activism in whatever form your's looks like - we’re all just...

Managing an active toddler, life in social isolation, and full-time work is a lot. I literally worry every single time I am in the bathroom that this will be the...

Being handed a lifetime sentence with a chronic illness is devastating. The uncertainty, panic, and endless questions wrapped up in a body that feels like it has been completely drained...

Searching for and starting a new medication to treat IBD always comes with a hint of hesitation and distress. Personally, I was in the hospital for the umpteenth time when...