A Little Bit About Me

The person behind the keyboard…

I guess you should know a few things about the person speaking to you from the other end of the keyboard.

My name is Chris. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2016.

Since then, there have been many, many ups and downs.

Horrific experiences I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Yet also experiences of love, understanding and unconditional support which I am so grateful for.

I have failed and fallen down countless times. This illness has tested me and pushed me to the brink. But I’ve also had some successes, taken some steps forward and learned a lot about myself.

Much of what I am going to be talking about in the blog will be based on my own lived experience.

However, I have a fairly extensive health and educational background as well: Health Sciences Degree (2016) and a Master’s Degree in Public Health (2018). With this in mind, I hope to not only share my own personal experiences with IBD, but also information and advice that is grounded in the latest research, data and other health-related sources.

In 2020 I underwent colectomy surgery and now live with an ileostomy. It has been a massive adjustment for me, but it likely saved my life, as I was so incredibly sick prior to that.

Since my surgery though, I’ve had to deal with a number of complications and setbacks. Steroids, pain, hospital stays, endocrine/autoimmune issues…just to name a few. It definitely wasn’t the miracle cure I was hoping for.

IBD can be relentless

Needless to say, if you are struggling with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis right now…there is a good chance I have been there. Believe me, I KNOW what it is like to struggle with this illness.

I still have good days and crummy days. Even today, I am nowhere near where I want to be health-wise. But I’ve made progress. I am in a better state than I was a year ago. And better than I was the year before that. Healing is a continual process. But I still struggle.

I’m beginning to place more focus on self-care and self-compassion, while at the same time acknowledging that I am a complex and flawed human being. It’s not easy.

So this is the lens that I write from. This blog is a safe space to share your experience if you feel compelled to. Share words of support. Words of hope. Share whatever you like.

I will be sharing more about my myself and my story in future posts.

Cheers and thank you so much for reading,

-Chris