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On Well-Meaning Friends and The Diets They Recommend
I’m not exactly shy about telling people, friends or less-than, that I have IBD. I’ll talk and talk about my colonoscopies, my stool tests, and my symptoms because I don’t see it as something to be kept secret. There’s nothing wrong with keeping medical issues close to your chest, but I choose not to because it’s something that’s happening to me, something that takes up a lot of my time and mental space. I find value in talking about my experiences, even if some would consider them TMI, if not for their benefit then for mine. To vent, to share,… Continue reading
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The Humira Road So Far
It has been seven weeks since I started Humira and I’m finally noticing some changes. To catch you up, here’s what has happened since my first dose. For my second dose around a month ago, a nurse with Humira scheduled a video call with me to go over tips and tricks with me. I prepped my injection and answered her FaceTime. I was expecting some introductory chit-chat, but she jumped right to it, asking if I was ready to do my injection. She proceeded to, essentially, nicely but quickly talk me through the same instructions as those on the lid… Continue reading
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My First Thursday with Humira
Welp, I’m officially immune suppressed. Yay! My experience with starting Humira was a bit of a whirlwind, a mostly administrative one. I went for a follow-up with my doctor after my last colonoscopy in July where we saw continuing inflammation in my esophagus, stomach, and colon despite taking Mesalamine. So, after waiting six weeks for a follow-up, I went in and was given, essentially, two options: Humira or Remicade. My doctor recommended Humira, mostly because it allows a little more flexibility to travel than Remicade due to having to go to an infusion center. The doctor touched on the possibility… Continue reading
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My Diagnosis with Crohn’s Disease (Probably)
Before I get into the nitty gritty, just a warning at the front: I don’t believe in TMI. Not really. At least, I don’t anymore. Maybe I did before all of this, but I’ve had enough conversations about the consistency of my stool, driven one too many times with a container of it to the lab, and vomited next to many a coworker to feel embarrassed anymore. I’ve also sort of just decided not to be embarrassed. This is something happening in my life, whether I like it or not, and being ashamed of it will only make an unpleasant… Continue reading
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My Crohn's Diaries 