Chronic Illness with Confidence

Why I'm Quitting Humira

***I did NOT make this decision without first talking openly and honestly with my doctor AND reviewing a plan for my next choice of treatment. When I first started Humira, a biologic medication that I injected every two weeks to manage Crohns disease, in 2014, it was magical. It took a few months to work at first, but once it did, I went from a strict liquid diet and being scheduled for surgery all the way to working again and eating a burger (my surgeon's super scientific t

5 Things I've Learned After 10 Years with Crohn's Disease

Knowing that I'd be hitting double digits since my diagnosis with Crohn's disease has caused me to spend a lot of time reflecting over the past few months. After spending so many years focused on getting to a future that was bright and disease-free, it's a little weird to look back at the journey. Along the way, I've experienced fear, sadness, anger, and pain, along with determination, personal growth, and a constantly fluctuating battle between finding peace with my diagno

How I Manage the Mental Load of Chronic Illness

"Being positive" and "accepting one's situation" are often described as necessities for fighting the good fight when in ailing health. But is that always realistic? Being positive and accepting something that was never asked for? For me, acceptance is such a weighted word. I still don't really like to use it. But in order to put one foot in front of the other on my worst days, I found that I really did need to engage in a dedicated approach to managing the "mental load"

Why it's Time to Redefine Remission for Me

It's been a little while now that I've lived in a state of mostly disease-free bliss. We all know that "remission" still comes with disease-related draw-backs and symptoms (most annoyingly a lovely stint of SIBO this past winter). But for the most part, remission is a pretty lucky place to be. It's amazing that I've made it this long, and I still marvel at the fact that I wake up each morning and my meds haven't failed me for another day. Over the past decade, I've only exp

5 Tips for Breastfeeding on Biologics (Humira, Cimzia, etc.)

In order to get well enough to take on the role of motherhood in the way that I wanted, I would need to take Cimzia (throughout my first pregnancy) and then Humira (started after a rough flare and shortly before my second pregnancy). I was nervous at first, but, armed with evidence-based research, I was able to make my own informed decision to exclusively breastfeed both of my children while effectively treating my Crohn's disease. I'm not one to engage in a mommy-battle of

Bosses with Chronic Illness Rock

Working while managing a disability that doesn't take a break between the typical 9 - 5pm work-day is sometimes nerve-wracking. How will my boss, coworkers, and clients handle situations that require me to put my symptoms first? Will symptoms hold me back from achieving the professional goals that I set for myself? Can I do it all; take care of my kids, the house, my marriage, and my health? These thoughts go through my head as I start applying for jobs, and it makes me s

My PIANO Study Experience

From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a mother. But, when I began experiencing symptoms of Crohn’s disease at age 21, I became worried about how my future may look. Knowing instinctively that I wanted to be well to have a child, I set out on a mission to heal the angry disease that was taking over my intestines. After struggling on lower-tiered medications, a hospitalization for an obstruction led me to realize that the deep healing that I desired would only come us

The Power in Crohnies

Chronic illness can be tough and lonely. It seems that most people can appreciate that fact and they know what it generally means to be lonely. But “lonely” takes on a new definition that goes deeper and darker with the personalized, persistent, and relentless class of illnesses considered to be chronic, or lifelong. When I was diagnosed, I quickly learned this new definition for lonely. While doctors were considering a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, and determining a cours

My Unmet New Year’s Resolution Wasn’t a Failure

As the fireworks faded on the first day of 2017, I felt excited and motivated. “This would be the year,” I remember telling my husband, “that I’ll have my strongest body yet.” As an active woman, a busy mom, and a person with Crohn’s disease, it was important to me that I do everything in my power to stay on top of my health. But, could I really do it? Due to my diagnosis, I’d always assumed that I just wouldn’t be able to be as strong and fit as my active friends. What i

Why I was Thankful to be Diagnosed With Crohn's Disease

Visit The Mighty to view a version of this article. It was a beautiful, hazy day in August when I was formally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. From over the phone, the doctor’s words seemed in such stark contrast to my surroundings that I had trouble digesting them. It was warm, and I was exhausted; all I could mutter was, “OK.” Appreciating the reality of being diagnosed with a lifelong, incurable chronic illness wasn’t on my mind. Instead, assigning a name to the beast taki

Parenting From the Couch

When I’m not feeling well, it can be hard to take care of me AND all of the responsibilities that I take on, including parenting two young boys. Because chronic illness requires a life-long dedication, I don’t always have the option to ask for help when things get a little tough. If I did, I wouldn’t always have someone available when things are REALLY bad. It’s a judgement call. So, I have to get creative in my planning and parenting, to make sure that I can still keep th

Stop Apologizing to Your Doctor, Say This Instead

Recently, I wrote an email to my specialist and felt the need to say, “Sorry for rambling!” at the end. But is this really how I should be feeling after communicating with my doctor? I’ve been with this doctor for quite a few years, and yet I still feel the need to say, “I’m sorry” whenever I worry about being a burden to him or his practice. I think that it’s because I appreciate his care so much. When I realized what I was doing, I stopped to think -- I know that he woul

My First Friend with a Chronic Illness

My experience managing chronic illness changed forever when I met my first “chronic-friend.” She was beautiful and confident and looked to be about my age. We connected immediately when our paths crossed at my first job out of college. Within hours of meeting, she pulled out an insulin pump (a device worn by some diabetics to administer their insulin) and I quietly gasped. LOOK! Someone who has medical needs! So what if it’s rude to stare; I was excited. She told me ab

ABOUT ME

For nearly a decade, I've managed life with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of the digestive tract. As a young woman, symptoms appeared one day, and they wouldn't be tamed for years. While the disease hasn't stopped me from living my life, its appearance has altered my course; sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. I'm passionate about sharing my experience to support others.