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Crohn’s disease

beautiful pink flowers in a vase
Encouragement, Health

World IBD Day: Sometimes I Hate My Guts

It’s today. May 19th. World IBD Day, a day we (as a world) try to bring even more awareness to IBD: what it is, what it’s like to live with it, and how you can help.

I have Crohn’s disease and I’ve battled this beast since I was 18 years old. I started getting sick my freshman year in college and it took off like wildfire, affecting my thin, teenage, stressed-out body. In those 27 years since, it’s been better and it’s been much, much worse. I’ve crawled my way back from near-death a few times. I refuse to let it get me. Continue Reading

Encouragement, Health

30 Days of 30 Minutes: My Fitness Challenge

I’m not like those others fitness challenge girls. You know the ones…they’re perfectly fit with excellent physiques, sculpted everything. I’m not committed to completely clean eating.  I don’t show my six-pack abs at the gym when working out (mainly because I don’t have them to show).  I don’t post pictures on Instagram of my sleek, amazing yoga poses (because I cannot get into sleek, amazing yoga poses). I’m not one of those fabulous girls. Yet. 

I’ve wanted to be one of those girls. Let’s be honest. If your Fitness Fairy Godmother could wave a wand and make you magically and instantly fit, tight and toned, you’d certainly let her, right? Me too! I know these girls we see on YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook work their butts off (literally!) to achieve this level of fitness and strength.

And that’s the scary part for me. It takes WORK and lots of it. It’s exhausting and overwhelming to even consider much less do. Simply beginning or even knowing how to, is a challenge in and of itself. Continue Reading

Encouragement, Health, Life Is Beautiful

Observations at the IV Infusion Center

Every other Monday morning, I go hang out with cancer patients.

It’s not because I’m doing some noble volunteer work. It’s not because I work at a hospital (at least I don’t any more). It’s not even because I’m researching for a writing project.

Thankfully, unlike them, I do not have cancer. But like them, I do go to have medicine drip into my veins intravenously in hopes it’ll improve my health.

For Crohn’s disease, these IV infusions are the proverbial “big guns” in treatment. When regular medications and dietary changes don’t improve symptoms, biologics are in order, so here you are.

It’s humbling and terrifying all at once to be in the company of such warriors, these patients with these illnesses. (Side note: Crohn’s is a life-threatening illness as well); to be checking in, waiting, getting pre-treatment blood work and eventually stretching out in our recliners in the infusion room next to these brave souls.

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