Just a little unwell: My Journey with Crohn's Disease
They say that there’s a first for everything.
For most people that’s getting a new car, buying a house, getting married, or having their first child. What if your life events aren’t always positive though? What if life throws you curveballs you weren’t expecting? What do you do? How do you react?
I was 20 years old when I was diagnosed with IBD, after graduating from high school and just as I was looking forward to starting college. Before my diagnosis, I started experiencing severe abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and exhaustion that I couldn’t explain. I knew something was wrong, but at first, doctors told me it was just gastritis, then haemorrhoids, then stress.
Each appointment, I felt unheard while my symptoms grew worse.
I ended up in the emergency room more times than I can count, searching for answers while trying to hold on to hope that wouldn’t be spending the rest of my life in excruciating pain and agony. I was eventually hospitalized and taken for an emergency colonoscopy the next morning. That was when I heard the words; “You have Crohn’s Disease”
Let me take a moment to explain what Crohn’s disease is because it’s something many people haven’t heard about or fully understand.
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD for short. It causes chronic inflammation in the digestive tract, which can lead to symptoms like severe stomach pain, diarrhea, bleeding, weight loss, fatigue, and malnutrition. It’s an autoimmune condition, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own digestive system. Crohn’s is a lifelong condition, and while there is no cure, there are treatments to help manage it.
To be honest, it was scary. At 20, you’re excited to start your adult life, and I suddenly had to face the reality of living with a lifelong condition I had barely even heard of before.
My plans for college were put on hold so I could focus on my health. I watched my friends move forward while I had to learn how to manage medications, doctor visits, and the emotional toll that comes with a chronic illness.
But I want you to know that while Crohn’s has changed my life, it hasn’t taken it away. I’ve found strength in my vulnerability, and I’ve learned the importance of advocating for myself and asking for help when I need it. I found community with others who live with IBD, and I realized that rest is not weakness, it’s part of healing.
My journey inspired me to pursue nursing, because I want to care for others the way I wish I had been cared for during the scariest moments of my life.
I often remind myself, “Missing milestones doesn’t mean I’m behind. It means I’m honoring my body’s need for healing.” I want to share that reminder with you too. It’s okay if your path looks different than you planned. It’s okay to slow down. Your worth is not defined by how fast you move, but by who you are as a person.
Living with Crohn’s has taught me that while a chronic illness may change your plans, it doesn’t have to take away your dreams. It may reshape them, but it doesn’t erase them.
If you’re living with Crohn’s, another chronic illness, or facing challenges that feel too heavy, I want you to remember: you did not choose this battle, but you can still choose to live fully, even on the hard days. You can still pursue your goals, find your community, and live a life that is meaningful and bright.
