Yes, I’m an IBD Warrior.

I have now lived more than half of my life being diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and it has shaped me to be the person I am today but also my entire journey of exploring health and wellness. When I was in 8th grade, I finally had the courage to tell my mom something was wrong with the way I was feeling. It took me a long time to even say anything because I was in the prime age of being a middle schooler thinking you're a full-blown adult and don’t need anyone's help (HA) and because talking about stomach and digestive issues is very uncomfortable. I was embarrassed so I wanted to keep it to myself for as long as I could. After I voiced my concerns to my mom the rounds of testing began. I saw several different doctors, some in different states, had MRIS, several different imaging testing and a colonoscopy. Let me tell you when I was missing school for all of these things there was NO way I was telling anyone what I was going through because I was so embarrassed. No 8th grader I know wants to tell their lunch table of girlies that I was out sick for a freaking colonoscopy (not that any 8th grader probably even knows what that is). I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease which was a relief to feel like I had an answer to my symptoms, but I also had never heard of Crohn’s, so I wasn’t exactly phased by this. I just wanted to feel better and move on. I certainly didn’t process that there was no “moving on” as this disease has no cure. That’s something I didn’t come to terms with until my 20s.  

My gastroenterologist gave me a prescription for an oral medication to take every day and sent me on my way. My symptoms didn’t get any better and I felt once again discouraged. This led my mom to look at our other options, which is when I saw my first health counselor who quite literally saved me and is still someone I see. I will do a whole other post on this because it is a full circle moment as my health counselor also is an IIN graduate, and I had no idea until last year. I went gluten free which was not trendy at the time and was very hard to eat out. I vividly remember sobbing when my family was getting sandwiches from the deli and there was nothing I could eat. SOBBING over a deli sandwich. What a freaking time. Anyways I was also taking several supplements that helped heal my gut and allowed me to feel like a normal teenager again. This experience taught me that you always need to be your own health advocate and that functional medicine is powerful, but your traditional doctor isn't going to tell you that.  

My Crohn’s was something I didn’t share with many people and rarely talked about. Some of my closest friends in college didn’t even know I had Crohn’s years into our friendship and that is how I always thought it would be. Philanthropy has always been a passion of mine so when I graduated college, I figured why not put my philanthropic efforts into a cause that I am directly impacted by. This is how I got involved in the Spin4 event with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. My first year I was so taken back hearing people being so vulnerable sharing their stories, but I was also scared because I was hearing stories about patients undergoing massive surgeries, having life altering symptoms and it made me think how unpredictable this disease is and that I have no idea what my future might have in store for me. I was inspired and eager to get more involved and have continued to be a part of this event for over 5 years now. Ironically, a year after my first Spin4 event I had my worst disease flare up since I was diagnosed. The medication I had been taking for 10 years had stopped working and I had to start taking biologic medicine. Once you start biologic medicine you can never go back to oral medication. The reality that I had to start injecting myself with medication to control my disease was absolutely devasting. It was a huge adjustment but now 4 years later after having to get another colonoscopy this week but being told my colon is “looking perfect” I am so dam grateful for my medication.

My Crohn's disease has allowed me to be a part of such an incredible community with the Crohn’s and Colitis foundation, it has taught me so much about myself, it has motivated me to become an IIN health coach, it has allowed me to let go of the embarrassment and embrace this disease and most importantly it has taught me how big of a blessing your health is and that is should never be taken for granted. 15 years later and I am spamming people on Instagram with content about Crohn’s disease awareness. Something my 8th grade self never EVER thought I would be doing. I am so proud of how far I have come and will continue to keep going for myself and to fight to find a cure.