My Crohnic Life

– LIFE WITH AN INVISIBLE DISEASE – 

High School with Chronic Illness

Navigating high school is challenging enough; however, chronic illness can make it nearly impossible. My first diagnosis, of Crohn’s Disease, came at 15 years old. It was the fall of my sophomore year of high school and my biggest concern, at the time, was making varsity soccer. My entire world was flipped upside down. I […]

Navigating Alcohol, College & Chronic Illness

THIS IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. THIS IS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. PLEASE DISCUSS ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE DRINKING. Though I started drinking in high school, the conversation regarding alcohol didn’t come up with my doctors until I was 18 and getting ready to leave for college. Looking back, I so badly wish I had more […]

Grief & Chronic Illness

First came the cramping, but it was “just” normal uterine pain that came with every little girl’s period. Then came the fatigue, but everyone around me seemed to frequently discuss how exhausted they were, so I was tired too. Then came the bathroom urgency; I had to go, and I had to go NOW, but […]

Waiting

Waiting. And waiting and waiting and waiting. This seems to be all I do these days. I am a full time patient, holding temporary residence in Limbo. While this is a place I’ve often dwelled, I’ve been lucky to escape. Time and time again. But, here I am, unpacking my bags and dusting the shelves […]

My Glass House

I live in a body made of glass. Sturdy, but always at the risk of shattering in one fell swoop. How do you find strength, when your body, your home, is falling apart? Any movement risks another piece to fall out of place. I remember what it was like to live without this fear, this […]

A (Flared) Day in the Life [Video]

“What does a typical flare day look like for you?” This is a common question for me recently; rather than type out a boring summary of my day, I thought I’d show you. Yesterday, I had no appointments or pharmacy runs, so I took this day as an opportunity to answer this question; I recorded […]

Chronic

Cannabis saved my life. Pain has riddled my memories with darkness. I vividly recall the sensation of a dozen knives being plunged into my abdomen and then being violently twisted around. At the time, I was lying on the cold tiles of my bathroom floor with hot tears rolling down my face, agonizing screams leaving […]

But You Don’t Look Sick

“But you don’t look sick.” This is a common phrase heard by the invisible illness community; while people may think it’s a sort of compliment, it’s actually extremely invalidating and frustrating. We constantly feel misunderstood, judged and ostracized by those around us (even close family, friends and healthcare professionals). What do you do when you […]