Controlling the Uncontrollable with IBDWith Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis (IBD) being such unpredictable chronic illnesses, there is an enormous lack of control that comes alongside this particular diagnosis. This doesn’t just hold true...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
The Hidden Effects of Crohn's DiseaseWhen people look at me, they see a 170 LB man. They see my rosy cheeks, full head of hair, and smiling face. What they don’t see is the physical...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Can You Ever Truly Beat IBD?Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has one goal: cause destruction. When living with a chronic illness, you often feel like a lone hobbit in a raging battle against the evil forces...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
So Much Variability in IBD - Part 1We often talk about how inflammatory bowel disease is very individual and a spectrum disease, to an extent. Everyone reacts to medications and other treatment options differently. People’s personal views...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Tips for Surviving Universal Studios with IBDOrlando is a pretty popular vacation destination so I wanted to offer up some tips and tricks about traveling to two of their most popular theme parks: Universal Studios and...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Planning for the Future With Chronic IllnessI’ve talked about this a lot on my own website; the difficulty I have faced planning for the future because of living with severe chronic illness. I used to love...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Learning How to Eat AgainFrom around February 2008, to about August 2008, I did not eat or drink anything. That’s right, about six months! The reason why the doctors in the hospital stopped my...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Reality Isn't Always SweetEverything is going to be roses right? Sorry sweetheart. Life with an Ostomy isn't always smooth sailing. You have Crohn's disease. What they don't always tell you, probably because it's...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Dating and Intimacy with an Ostomy - Part 3: AdulthoodNow that I have shared a little about my background having lived with an ostomy from the ages of 16-19 and then again from 24 until present day, as well...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Socialize for Good HealthGoing out with friends may not sound as fun when you feel limited by what you can eat and drink. However, it is still possible to enjoy yourself without compromising...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Erring on the Side of Caution with IBDI learned at a very young age that I wasn’t invincible and I honestly wish I hadn’t figured that out so soon in my life. Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Stomal Queen!Depending on which country you are from, you will call them a Stomal Therapist, Stomal nurse, Wound care nurse, ostomy nurse, or if you're like me; My godsend Stomal Queen!...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
My Metamorphoses With IBDI recently attended an event for patients with ulcerative colitis where we were asked to come up with a word to describe the disease. This is no easy feat. There...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Missed ChildhoodI missed out on a childhood. I'm not really sure which specific thing to blame it on. Could it have been the abuse I suffered as a child or the...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Handling "Regular People" Sickness as an IBDerGiven that living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can truly wreak havoc on all aspects of a person's body and life, I am never sure how to handle "regular people...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
3 Things to Look for After SurgeryTo be completely honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect after surgery. I had a lot of people telling me what I would need and giving me tips on how...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Congress Approves 21st Century Cures ActThis past week, Congress approved a new healthcare-centered bill called the 21st Century Cures Act.The bill allots $6.3 billion dollars towards achieving several much-needed healthcare initiatives. The bipartisan bill passed...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Romantic Relationships with IBDIt is no secret that relationships are hard work in general, but when you add a chronic illness into the mix, it can change a lot of things. Some for...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
3 Tips for Surviving the HolidaysHolidays are meant to be a time of joy and celebration. Unfortunately, the holidays and stress often go hand-in-hand. The traveling, the shopping, the cooking and the family feuds can...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Painsomnia, Psych Meds and Mental Health Part 2I would like to continue where I left off to some degree in Part 1 of this article. Again, I want to reiterate that I share these personal, oftentimes hard-to-talk-about...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments