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.

June 13, 2019June 11, 2019

Following in My Father’s Footsteps as a Crohn’s Survivor

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

I inherited many traits from my dad: my need for organization and order, love of math, problem-solving abilities, and powers of deduction. I also received his sensitive skin and delicate ... Read more

June 6, 2019June 4, 2019

Caregiving: In Sickness and in Health

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

My husband Patrick and I recently celebrated our third wedding anniversary. June 7, we will mark nine years since our first date. Patrick was the first, and only, man I ... Read more

May 30, 2019May 28, 2019

Nurses Are the Heart and Soul of Medicine

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the most important nurse in my life, my mother. This week, I’d like to focus on a few other important nurses who have ... Read more

May 23, 2019May 22, 2019

Crohn’s Takes a Holiday: Pack Wisely and Be Prepared

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

As I write this, I’m at Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino, just outside Lake Charles, Louisiana, on the first day of a weeklong anniversary trip with my husband. We’re driving ... Read more

May 16, 2019May 15, 2019

My Mother, My Nurse

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Mother’s Day was Sunday. I would share my experience as a mother living with Crohn’s disease, but the only babies I’ve had are the four-legged kind. In a way, Crohn’s ... Read more

May 2, 2019April 30, 2019

You’ve Gotta Be Kidney Me: Pursuing a New IBD-related Diagnosis

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

When I wrote last week’s column about my dermatological issues caused by IBD, I wasn’t planning on discussing any other extraintestinal manifestations of IBD anytime soon. Then, last Thursday, I had ... Read more

April 25, 2019April 23, 2019

Skin Deep: Dermatological Symptoms of IBD

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

In terms of physical disabilities, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) falls into the “invisible” category. Most of the time, you can’t tell someone has IBD just by looking at them because ... Read more

April 18, 2019April 17, 2019

Making the Change from ‘Working to Live’ to ‘Living to Work’

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

For the first time in more than 20 years, I’m not working a full-time, 40-hour-a-week job. This was a difficult decision to make, especially because I’m only 45 years old ... Read more

April 11, 2019April 10, 2019

Stop or My Colon Will Shoot! Discovering Your IBD Triggers

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

A few months ago, while cleaning out an old work bag, I found a journal from about 10 years ago. As a writer, I’ve always kept journals, whether to jot ... Read more