Chronic Illness with Confidence

IBD Summit for Fellows 2019: Reflections

Living with IBD is a complex journey of ups and downs. Each of us patients seem to have our own set of unique challenges and personal needs to support our care. Many of us also have individual preferences, lifestyle changes that we have to adopt, and short and long-term goals that require consideration when managing a chronic illness that can be so unpredictable and impactful on day-to-day life. For this (and many other) reasons, finding good care from a good doctor is vit

I'm Celebrating #WorldIBDday for You

It's #worldIBDday2019! Over the past decade with IBD, i've come to view this annual recognition of IBD across the globe as a celebration: "HEY! We've made through another year with IBD! We did it!" The fatigue-filled days that felt too long, the nights spent managing pain in bed, all of the discomfort and uncertainty that comes with bowels that aren't functioning properly, joints/eyes/skin inflammation that just wont quit, and all of the pokes, pricks, meds, tests, and all

Defining A Quality Gastroenterologist: One Patient's Perspective

A few months ago, I received a call that would stop me in my tracks: would I like to share my thoughts on what defines a quality gastroenterologist at this year's Digestive Diseases Week (#DDW2018)? I think that I said "YES!" before the question was even finished. I was so excited that I got right to work. In some ways, I knew exactly what I'd want to say, but in a lot of other ways, I struggled to find just the right words. From a patient's perspective - or at least THIS

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

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

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.