How to make decisions to help tame the IBD monster NB: This had been intended to be written before we knew anything about coronavirus (COVID-19) so there has been the addition of COVID information throughout this article; to be relevant and highlighted for easy visibility.…
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Hernias & Stomas
I remember sitting in my hospital bed, after my first solo stoma bag change back in 2016 and my nurse said “you must always try and avoid a hernia. You are more susceptible to them now”. I was four or five days post op and…
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Remaining Strong in the Face of Chronic Illness
“Just because you carry it well, does not mean it’s not heavy” I find myself thinking about this quote more and more frequently these days. Not sure if it’s lockdown impacting on my brain or the fact that life has been forever changed by the…
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Being [Unexpectedly] Medication Free for a Year
I remember vividly two days that began my journey with Vedolizumab; “she returned my call, the long and short of it being that “no, this isn’t working“; agreeing with my doubts since Monday. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly and it certainly wasn’t…
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Having Major Surgery During a Pandemic
I know almost all of us did not expect nor predict that 2020 would be how it has been thus far. It has been without a doubt the most challenging year for a very long time. However, when you have a chronic illness, you go…
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Life Insurance & IBD
Disclaimer: Guest post Award-winning life insurance broker, Reassured, explain what information you’ll need to provide when applying for life insurance with Crohn’s disease and how the condition may have an impact on your cover. As with any life insurance application, you’ll need to provide information regarding…
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Being and Staying Positive
“May the flowers remind us why the rain was necessary” “One day at a time” “Be gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can” We hear ‘positive‘ quotes all day long in the chronic illness community. From helping us get through a tough day,…
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Diagnosis Day
In the Autumn of 2011, I spent hardly anytime online. In fact, I spent several weeks on several occasions, battling my defunct body in the hospital. I remember a lot of emotions from those weeks I spent in isolation, unsure of what was happening, what…
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Same Ocean, Different Boats
Sometimes, it can feel as if you are all alone with your problems. It is easy to compare yourself to others when social media is and can be a highlight reel. When images are smoothed out, positives over negatives are drawn. It can be really…