Posts by: Emmeline Olson

Emmeline Olson

Emmeline is a 47-year-old Crohn’s warrior and primary sclerosing cholangitis survivor. Her column encourages patients and caregivers to advocate for better healthcare and educates readers about her rare autoimmune diseases. She also freelances as a communication specialist, offering writing, editing, and graphic design services. Emmeline (an Auburn fan) and her husband Patrick (an Alabama fan) enjoy watching SEC football and spending time with loved ones in Austin, Texas. Thanks to a liver transplant in 2017, Emmeline is training for her third-degree black belt in the Korean martial art Mu Sool Won.

November 7, 2019November 5, 2019

Managing IBD and Holiday Stress

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Last week, I wrote about how I have to be mindful of my eating habits during the holiday season. But managing my food intake is a breeze compared to my ... Read more

October 31, 2019October 29, 2019

‘Tis the Season for Watching What I Eat

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

I buy my favorite candy at Halloween, so if we don’t get a lot of trick-or-treaters, the candy won’t go to waste because I’ll eat it myself. In the United ... Read more

October 24, 2019October 22, 2019

Time and Proper Care Heal All Wounds

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

I never think much about my scars. I wear them like badges of honor earned through the rites of passage of my health journey. But the Mercedes incision across my ... Read more

October 17, 2019October 15, 2019

Reading the Fine Print: Discovering I Have Ulcerative Colitis

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

I was purging paperwork the other day when I came across follow-up notes from my last gastroenterologist appointment. I never read these notes when I check out. I usually only ... Read more

October 10, 2019October 8, 2019

Missing Out Is New Normal with Crohn’s

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

I first learned about FOMO, or the fear of missing out, when one of my students used it in an assignment. I don’t know if “FOMO” is still what kids ... Read more

October 3, 2019October 1, 2019

Taking Another Shot: Getting Vaccinated Against Pneumonia

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In my previous column, I reminded you to get a flu shot before the end of October. I also shared some advice to prevent exposure to the virus. In this ... Read more

September 26, 2019September 26, 2019

Preventing the Flu After Vaccination

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Monday was the first day of fall — at least that’s what the calendar said. In Texas, it was a record-breaking 100 degrees. One thing that’s not going to wait ... Read more

September 19, 2019September 17, 2019

Intestinal Transplants in Crohn’s Patients with Short Bowel Syndrome

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In last week’s column, I discussed the autoimmune disease that caused my liver to fail. As I celebrated the second anniversary of my liver transplant, I thought about intestinal transplants ... Read more

September 12, 2019September 10, 2019

You Only Live Twice: PSC as an Extraintestinal Manifestation of IBD

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In my first column, I discussed how my Crohn’s journey began with my primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) diagnosis almost 25 years ago. The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) estimates ... Read more

September 5, 2019September 3, 2019

Managing IBD and Its Complications Requires the Right Healthcare Team

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Football season has returned, and it feels like fall, despite the 100-degree weather. Our lives revolve around the “Friday Night Lights” of high school games and waking up on Saturday ... Read more