Crohnically Fabulous

I am once again popping by to say hello. 👋🏻 I used to post so much more frequently on here but after my life pretty much was falling apart when COVID started in early 2020, I felt like I couldn’t share things on here. • I have always been all about promoting that having Crohn’s doesn’t define me and showing people you can accomplish SO much despite your chronic illness, so when I was laid off due to COVID and had to make some major life decisions and changes for my family I just felt like such a failure and didn’t want people seeing the struggle. • But after going through so many ups and downs since early 2020, and continuing to experience them, I’ve realized that it’s important to be real. So much social media is just a person’s “highlight reel” and we never see what goes on behind the scenes or the struggles they are facing. As much as I claim I’m an open book, I’ve realized I’m an open book when it comes to my health, but pretty closed when it deals with my career, family, and aspirations. Which is totally fine. But I think it’s important to reiterate to stop comparing yourself to people on social media. You are only seeing small pieces of their life. I’d compare it to seeing one page from each chapter of a 1000 page book and the book is a person’s life. . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CUz4N2QgJyD/?utm_medium=tumblr

Fun Friday meme for you! 😂😂 • • I know I’ve been super inconsistent with Instagram and updating everyone that for so long has followed me and my IBD journey. So I do apologize for that! • • But my journey is ALL over the place, so inconsistency is really just on point with my life right now. 😂 • • My fistula surgery in June went well. The surgeon was able to go straight to a fistulotomy instead of placing a seton drain. And now that it’s pretty much healed, it means, I’m cleared to do just about everything! 🙌🏻 • • I have an appointment with my PCP soon to decide if I need neurology for my migraines. They’ve been getting more intense over the last year with auras and nausea lasting way longer than before. So, let’s just add that to the list of things I have to disclose to doctors! 😝 • • I really hope everyone is having a good summer and you are doing fun things! ❤️ . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CRq9DD-s8i0/?utm_medium=tumblr

That sunset though! 😍😍 • Quick life update! 😬 - We finally found our own place to rent after almost a year of looking and living with my in laws! Everyone seems more relaxed and “at home”. (Especially because now I don’t have to always have a bra or pants on...) 😆 - Before we moved my sister in law, daughter, and mother and father in law ended up with COVID. But... THE VACCINES WORKED. Neither my husband nor I ended up with COVID. I slept with my daughter every night she was sick and tested negative twice! AND his grandparents also did not catch it! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 - My baby girl just turned 7 and finished up 1st grade! 🤯 - Tomorrow I will be getting my first of two fistula surgeries. I’m getting a seton placed tomorrow but she may remove some of the tract if she can so my 2nd surgery isn’t as intense. But she won’t know for sure until she’s doing it! 🤷🏻‍♀️ • Still remaining positive that all is going to work out the way it’s supposed to! ❤️ No swimming for me this summer but can’t wait to live vicariously through everyone else’s vacation photos! 😝 . . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CPnlhA-jEqS/?utm_medium=tumblr

Oh hi there.🙋🏻‍♀️ It’s been awhile! • • I took another impromptu social media break. And probably will continue to off and on. To be honest, I’m just so much less stressed when I stay away from more social media.🤷🏻‍♀️ • • Life update: I believe in a previous post I talked about how I’ve lost nearly 30 lbs. and was having issues eating... but after upper and lower scopes and a ton of blood work, there isn’t really an answer as to why. After a pelvic MRI, it’s finally been confirmed I have an active fistula. Same tract as my previous one in 2015-2016 and I am seeing a colorectal surgeon next week to discuss options. 💩 • • I’ve been able to eat a bit better and more the last few weeks and while I’m not totally convinced my Crohn’s is good, I’ve decided I’m just going to live like it is and if I run into more problems or symptoms than I’ll ask for a pill cam to look at the remaining parts of my intestines.👍🏼 • • Hope everyone has been doing well! I’ll attempt to get back to posting more regularly but no promises! Oh, and I’m fully vaccinated! 🙌🏻☺️ . . . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CM0xYPWDPvf/?igshid=1j15s3afym88n

Let’s talk about haters and bullies. You know, the ones who sit behind their computer screens and talk negatively about others and try to put them down and make them feel worthless but keeping their anonymity because they’d be down right embarrassed if people found out who the insecure person was tearing people down every chance they got?.. • • Yeah, those ones. 😒 • • I’ll be honest, I’ve only received hateful/mean comments or messages a handful of times. I do remember how it made me feel and my first instinct was to lash back out at them, to make them feel the same way I was feeling. • • A quote I found from Wayne Trotman on Pinterest said “People who repeatedly attack your confidence and self esteem are quite aware of your potential, even if you’re not.” • • So this is my reminder to everyone to just. be. kind. It costs nothing to be a good person. It costs nothing to give compliments. Remember your worth and keep shining.✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/CLM38eVjVTL/?igshid=yn0rwqf2kxu5

It’s time for the ever touchy topic of weight! 🙃 • • This image isn’t just some random graph I found on the internet. This is my actual data from years of doctors appointments and ups and downs living with Crohn’s disease. (Yes, I’m 100% a nerd.)🤓 • • With our family trying to figure out where “home” is the last 5ish years, I’ve had to switch between 2 hospital systems and no matter how hard I try, they do not send my records back and forth to each other. So I took it upon myself and have a full spreadsheet I keep on Google docs and I input all my routine lab work, weight, blood pressure, inflammatory markers, etc.. • • This weight chart though. Whew. Quite the visual. Between medication changes, steroids, life events, depression, and so much more- my weight has fluctuated a LOT. When I was at my lowest where everyone told me I looked “great” I was extremely sick. Or at some of my highest points, where I was called “overweight” by doctors, I felt better than ever. Our society puts such pressure on the number on the scale that they don’t put how we feel into the equation and that’s honestly the most important. • • Weight fluctuation, especially in those with IBD where our body attacks the organs designed to help us digest, is normal. It affects our digestion, so of course it’s going to affect our weight. And that’s OK. • • Stop looking at or listening to the number on the scale. Instead, listen to your body. Exercise when you can. Eat healthy when you are able. And BE KIND to yourself. Because that person in the mirror is a badass and worthy of love no matter what other people say. 💜💜 https://www.instagram.com/p/CKwZLYVD06p/?igshid=1a6t998ax5g2n

Will this be my last shot of Stelara? 🙃 • • Who knows! I had a PCP appointment yesterday so I asked him to draw some labs for me since Crohn’s wise I’ve been feeling pretty awful and we cannot do a whole lot until my GI does my scopes and sees what’s happening. 😶 • • Got my results back this morning and were actually as expected with the way I’m feeling! Inflammatory markers high, white blood cells elevated, high neutrophils, low lymphocytes. • • I’ve had plenty of blood work when I’m feeling crummy that doesn’t show anything so to be honest I was kind of relieved it’s leaning towards inflammation being present and coinciding with my symptoms. I still have about 2 1/2 weeks until my upper and lower scopes so here’s to hoping the Stelara injection at least gives me some sort of boost until then!🙏🏼 . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrhTjfjQ68/?igshid=1xorx4ixnuael

Winter and I do NOT get along. I love my scarves, heated blankets, and beanies as much as the next person but it is not my season. 👎🏻 • • If you have a chronic illness you probably have a “bad season.” And mine is most definitely winter. Over the last 9 years, there’s probably only been 2 winters where I had zero health issues or flares. • • ❄️ Here’s a fun list of winter “activities” of mine over the years: 1. Original ER trip due to unbearable stomach pain. 2. Pneumonia, bronchitis, mono, and life threatening anemia all at once. 3. Abscess/fistula that required me to go on much stronger meds. 4. Ten day hospital stay due to blockage. Ended up needing to switch medication. (And eventual surgery that fall.) 5. Joint pain that made my hands swell up so bad that I was wrapping ice packs on with ace bandages. 6. And THIS winter, I’ve dropped nearly 20lbs. so far, am struggling to eat enough calories each day, am in pain after eating almost anything (even toast🙄) and I’m waiting on getting upper and lower scopes in mid February to evaluate what’s going on and if Stelara just isn’t cutting it for me anymore. 🙃 • • But here’s a picture of me smiling just to remind you that chronic illness warriors aren’t faking being sick, we are faking being well.☺️ • • What’s your “bad season” with your chronic illness(es)? 🌧☀️🍁❄️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CKnAFWnjnQ3/?igshid=1vakh0181js95

“I am constantly torn between ‘I can’t let this illness ruin my life’ and ‘I have to listen to my body and rest.’” 💜 • • I’ve been dealing with health issues for the last 9 years, diagnosed with Crohn’s disease for the last 8. I have some really good days and some really bad days. Lately I haven’t been feeling well and it takes a lot of convincing myself to take a break and slow down. But I know it’s the right thing to do so I don’t wind up worse. • • I hope you listen to your body when it’s time to rest as well.💜 . . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CKg8qMkDYzK/?igshid=fn0b9passzzj

One of my favorite things about making cakes is getting to be part of people’s memories! ❤️ Especially when those people happen to be your best friend’s family! 😝 and your other best friend is the photographer! • • I LOVE smash cakes. I think it’s so cute watching a kid either absolutely love getting messy and eating their cake or those that are mad when their hands get dirty and freak out. Both are priceless.😂 My daughter was the picky picky princess who didn’t want her hands dirty on her first birthday. My best friend’s son? Total opposite! 🤣 • • If you got to have a smash cake on your next birthday what flavor would you pick? ☺️ . 📸 @elizabethcomptonphoto . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPbs4qjlXR/?igshid=yfjpaunq68aw

Tonight during our IBD Support Group run by @ibd_ittakesguts a topic came up that I hadn’t ever really given much thought to. But after hearing multiple stories it got my wheels turning. • • Women get dismissed more or not taken as seriously by doctors. • • Even after support group, I was still making up excuses for why this is but just googling the words “women dismissed by doctors” OH MY GOSH. Articles upon articles and even some research and studies. 🤯 • • It’s happened to me MANY times. Heck, the first time I went to the ER for unbearable stomach pain (pre-Crohn’s diagnosis but definitely Crohn’s) I was sent home with antibiotics and told I had a “slight UTI.” • • Another ER trip after the nurses were trying to get me some sort of pain relief, the doctor came in and asked me if I was on my period and if I “was sure it wasn’t just cramps.” Then I got interrogated on what my stress levels are and how anxiety and stress can cause stomach issues. (This was even AFTER being diagnosed with Crohn’s.) • • I always thought these were just one offs and I was just sort of unlucky... but after listening to women in our support group and reading some articles... I’m just mind blown. • • So now I gotta know, have you experienced a time when a doctor wasn’t taking you or your pain seriously as a woman or blaming your mental health or your period? 🙃 . . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior #genderbias https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ-GERujlW2/?igshid=16sf7gw781too

It’s January and I know Christmas is over, but when I realized I never shared this gem of a picture with y’all, I knew I had to! 💜 • • I’m a December baby, which means most of the time my birthday is squashed into a birthday-Christmas celebration, often times family members even forget to wish me a happy birthday. But this year, my dear friend @ibd.rachel surprised me and showed up ON my birthday and spent the weekend with me! 🥰 • • You ever meet someone and instantly just “click” and know they are gonna be in your life forever? That’s Rachel! We met when we were volunteering at Camp Oasis as counselors and we’ve been friends ever since! 💜 We get asked quite often how our friendship has “worked” because there’s a decent age gap (9ish years) and are at very different stages of our lives. But somehow, it works and she’s basically my little sister now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 💜 • • “True friends are those rare people who come to find you in dark places and lead you back to light.” ✨ • • • • • #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6N80fDrJk/?igshid=1vuvayk4iftu0

Let’s talk safe foods! • • Unfortunately I have not been feeling the greatest lately. My GI and I decided upper and lower scopes are needed, but there were no openings until mid February, so I’ve got a little while to go... 😔 • • After having to stop Imuran, I was afraid of this exact scenario... my joints feel better with sulfasalazine but now my GI symptoms are returning. Not sure if Stelara just isn’t going to cut it on its own or what... but we will be able to tell more once I get the scopes. • • So I need your help! I’m going to get some groceries tomorrow so that I have safe foods on hand in case I need to watch what I eat until I can get my scopes. What are your go to safe foods when you aren’t feeling well? 💜 https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ191f1jKU9/?igshid=10y37u100azv4

I know I’m late to the game in posting about 2020, but taking social media breaks does wonderful things for my mind. • • First off Happy New Year! 2020 was a 💩💩 show if I’m being honest. Here’s a quick review of my year: January/February - Crohns flare with severe joint pain, went on the devils tictaks. March/April - world shut down and I was laid off from the company I worked at nearly 4 years. May/June - due to loss of work, we moved in with my in laws across the state and literally the weekend after we moved I was called back to work. July/August - my hubby and I found a new local jobs September/October - inflammatory markers super high + severe joint pain led to a rheumatologist Appt & was I diagnosed with IBD related inflammatory arthritis. Went back on a short course of steroids. November/December - I had to go off of Imuran due to my metabolites being completely out of whack & now with Crohns symptoms returning I’m waiting on upper & lower scopes to see what’s happening in there. Yes yes I know most of this isn’t positive so here’s the good things that happened: We got to go on 2 small family vacations, one camping, and one camping at the beach! I got to spend the most amount of time ever with my amazing daughter and we are closer than ever! Raised over $1000 for the Crohns & Colitis Foundation! I’m sure there’s a ton of other positive things that I’m forgetting but that’s my brain for ya! . . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CJqr4JLD_NL/?igshid=1knla3xmfsb22

I’m late to the game in posting a Christmas jammies pic, but very blessed for my little family and staying away from social media for a little while to enjoy our time together. ❤️ • • Our Christmas Eve bag tradition has always been one of my favorites. We get a bag filled with new pajamas, candy and a new movie to watch.🥰 I always get Tom the most obnoxious pajamas I can find for him since you know... I’m the one who buys them and he goes along with it! 😂 • • Yes, my pajama pants have poop emojis and candy canes.😝 Five Below for the win! 💩💩 And my shirt reads “I just want to watch Christmas movies and bake things.” 🙃 Basically a shirt made just for me!😜 • • I’m probably going to continue taking some more time away from social media because to be honest, not seeing/reading all the negative all the time is really good for my mental health and I fall asleep faster and sleep better! 🤷🏻‍♀️ . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CJZsyQXjdQ7/?igshid=15x1rx4p9upjl

I know I’m a day late, but I truly want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas if you celebrate! ❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/CJQ1rH1DbYR/?igshid=1rfokc403w16r

The little things, the little moments, they aren’t little after all. • • As most of you know, I find so much joy in baking. So when I was packing up cookie kits tonight, I realized how much I loved the sprinkles I chose for these kits. Something so little put me in a good mood, even though my feet hurt from working in the kitchen all night. • • So when I asked Jude to put her hands out and I placed some of the sprinkles in them, she goes “awe mommy, it’s a heart!” 😍 It was perfect. Little sprinkles, little hands, little heart and so much love and joy. • • So as odd as it might be that I’m excited over sprinkles, it reminded me that it’s the little things in life that add up to the big stuff.❤️ . . . . . #crohns #crohnie #crohnsdisease #crohnsandcolitis #colitis #ulcerativecolitis #crohnswarrior #autoimmunedisease #chronicillness #ibd #ibdwarrior #ibdsuperheroes #friendswithcrohns #spoonie #chronicillnesswarrior #ibdawareness #invisibleillness #crohnsawareness #invisibleillnessawareness #invisibleillnesswarrior https://www.instagram.com/p/CIrxa-OD_yN/?igshid=1wdf0eingbutu