Columns

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 22, 2019April 18, 2019

My Guide to Endoscopies for Crohn’s, Part 3

Columns, Finding the Silver Linings - a column by Lisa Burks

Third in a series. Read part one and two. In previous columns, I looked at upper endoscopies and colonoscopies and why these procedures are carried out. In this column, I ... 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 15, 2019April 11, 2019

Crohn’s Arthritis During an Extended Hospitalization Complicated My Recovery

Columns, Finding the Silver Linings - a column by Lisa Burks

From November through February, I wasn’t able to get an infusion of Remicade (infliximab). The problem is most hospitals do not carry the medication due to how expensive it is. ... 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

April 4, 2019April 3, 2019

Following an IBD Diagnosis, Knowledge Is Power

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Hearing that IBD diagnosis can cause a whirlwind of emotions. If you’ve recently been diagnosed, you might initially feel anxious due to the reality and uncertainty of living with a chronic ... Read more

March 28, 2019March 27, 2019

‘Intestinal Fortitude: A Survivor’s Guide to IBD’

Columns, Intestinal Fortitude - a Column by Emmeline Olson

Welcome to “Intestinal Fortitude: A Survivor’s Guide to IBD.” My name is Emmeline Olson, and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease almost 13 years ago. My health journey actually began ... Read more