IBD News Today Columns

September 17, 2020September 17, 2020

PSC-IBD and Me: The Road to My Liver Transplant

Last week, I celebrated year three of my second birthday, otherwise known as the anniversary of my liver transplant. I usually celebrate with my husband and family, but this year ... Read more

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

Sepsis Awareness Takes T.I.M.E.

IBD News Today Columns

Since 2011, the Sepsis Alliance has recognized September as Sepsis Awareness Month. Sepsis occurs when an existing infection triggers an extreme chemical response in the body. When this happens, the ... Read more

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

Looking for ‘Dr. Right’ Following a Medical Breakup

IBD News Today Columns

Breakups aren’t easy, and I’m often on the receiving end. Getting dumped in a romantic relationship can be child’s play compared with ending a relationship with a doctor, especially when ... Read more

August 27, 2020August 28, 2020

Understanding My Colonoscopy From the Inside Out

COVID-19 Columns, IBD News Today Columns

Last week, I had my annual colonoscopy. With all the safety precautions in place because of COVID-19, this year’s procedure was different. First of all, my husband had to drop ... Read more

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020

Applying for Disability Insurance With IBD

IBD News Today Columns

In a previous column, I discussed how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects invisible disabilities, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBD-related disorders and conditions. Under the ADA, employees ... Read more

August 13, 2020August 14, 2020

The Case of the Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase

IBD News Today Columns

I’m going on four months with elevated liver enzymes. My aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase fluctuate between normal to above normal. My alkaline phosphatase steadily remains triple to quadruple the ... Read more

August 6, 2020August 7, 2020

The Americans with Disabilities Act: Putting the IBD in Invisible Disability

IBD News Today Columns

Last week, I wrote about working from home. Not all occupations adapt to telecommuting. Some employers can’t, or won’t, allow employees to work from home. How can inflammatory bowel disease ... Read more

July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

How to Successfully Work From Home With IBD

COVID-19 Columns, IBD News Today Columns

As an inflammatory bowel disease patient, in some ways, I believe COVID-19 has changed the world for the better. For example, across the globe, people are living like they have ... Read more

July 23, 2020July 23, 2020

The IBD Carnival: Symptoms, Side Effects, and Complications

COVID-19 Columns, IBD News Today Columns

Receiving an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnosis was like free admission to a carnival I could never leave. I know what to expect when I get on the familiar rides, ... Read more

July 16, 2020July 17, 2020

Live or Let Die: My Thoughts on Advance Care Planning

IBD News Today Columns

With my dark sense of humor, I was obsessed with death long before being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis and Crohn’s disease. I don’t understand why death is so taboo ... Read more

July 9, 2020July 10, 2020

Testing — 1, 2, 3

IBD News Today Columns

After a weeklong delay, I had my liver biopsy yesterday. Today, I’m under doctor’s orders to be lazy. I’ll be spending the next few days not lifting more than 10 ... Read more

July 2, 2020July 6, 2020

IBD, PSC, and Me: The Mystery of the Ornery Body

IBD News Today Columns

For the last two weeks, I’ve invited my readers to join me on a quest to unlock the medical puzzle that is my body. I feel like Indiana Jones in ... Read more

June 25, 2020June 26, 2020

I’m Losing Patience with Being a Patient

IBD News Today Columns

Last week, I discussed my current health battle with elevated liver enzymes. I continue to get weekly bloodwork so that my transplant team can monitor my situation remotely. After a ... Read more

June 18, 2020June 19, 2020

When Good Bodies Attack Themselves

COVID-19 Columns, IBD News Today Columns

Recently, the satirical news site The Onion published an article told from the viewpoint of a quarantined man’s immune system. Fighting the same germs every day had become tedious, so ... Read more

June 11, 2020June 12, 2020

4 Tips for Working Out While Staying In

COVID-19 Columns, IBD News Today Columns

Most people are excited about returning to the gym, but not me. I never stopped exercising. I’m going on three months of home workouts. In mid-March, I had decided to ... Read more