1 Year Since My UC Diagnosis
5 Things I’ve Learned Since Being Diagnosed 1 Year Ago
After battling a flare for months, still nursing my then 1 year old, 15 pounds lighter than I ever have been in my adult years, I remember telling my GI doctor, “Noo, I can’t do an emergency colonoscopy in two days. My son’s first birthday party is the same weekend!” This was nearly a year ago to the day.
Lucky for me, I had my husband by my side at that doctor’s appointment. He spoke up, alongside my doctor. “Too bad Bree. This is more important than frosting cupcakes. We will have help.”
And those words, “we will have help” was the most humbling and biggest lesson I’d soon learn living with this disease.
My husband and doctor were right. My health was most important and we did have help. A whole family full of help!
One year later and I’m still trying to navigate this new world. I walk the tight rope of not letting UC dictate my every day, but also realizing there are changes that are necessary to live a better life.
I remember feeling like, WTF. How could I have something like this? No one in my family does. I don’t know anyone personally with IBD. What did I do in my past, what antibiotic did I take to mess up my gut? Will I have to take meds for a lifetime? Now I realize just how fortunate I am. After being on Facebook groups, reading stories on Instagram and being connected with friends of friends with IBD, I know it could be much worse for me. I know there are many diagnoses worse than IBD, too.
I look to the bright side. My disease is manageable, I can take modern medicine to help with symptoms, I am doing whatever it takes to get to the root cause of my symptoms. I am in control (for the most part) of my body and that’s an amazing feeling.
Last year it was Thanksgiving and my son’s birthday. This year. it’s my son’s birthday ON Thanksgiving and I get a “do over.” We are hosting this year! I am frosting ALL the cupcakes and baking all the grain free / fluten free/ refined sugar free goodies so I can enjoy dessert, too!
So here’s the list of 5 things I’ve learned this past year with UC, and how each of these lessons has gifted me the opportunity to enjoy this day with my family.
I hope you can relate to this list, too!
Listen to your body
I honestly believe when I first started seeing symptoms I was completely clueless. This diagnosis was something I had really never even heard about before. I actually didn’t even know how to pronounce it! Nowadays, I am hyper aware of my body. Because I know how liberating it feels to feel really good, I am striving to achieve that every day. If it’s been a long day or week, when I travel, or simply wake up feeling blah, I allow myself to take it easy. Maybe this means a movie for the little one while I rest some more, maybe it’s a slow walk outside, or maybe it’s bone broth for the day. Regardless, I look for cues in my body that tell me how much I can push it that day.
Adjust your diet
Obviously, you know I am huge advocate for a whole food, plant based diet. I believe food can really aid your healing. I have been following the IBD-AID for about a year now. I have had times when I slipped with diet, and I feel worlds better when I am fueling my body with foods that are really good for it. I have tons of vegetables, prebiotic and probiotic foods, lean proteins, healthy fats, and try to drink as much water as possible. Why is it so hard to drink enough water?
If my stomach is really acting up, if I notice slight flare-like symptoms, or if it was a special occasion and I enjoyed a sweet treat here and there, I may need to give my gut a reset. What this means for me is a very minimal diet for a day: like bone broth and boiled carrots and eggs. Or I try intermittent fasting - about 8 hours of eating, and 16 hours not.
Manage stress
The number one thing that triggers symptoms is stress. I could be eating perfectly and if I am stressed, don’t get enough sleep, or overexerting myself, my body lets me know. Besides getting adequate sleep, exercise is the best way for me to manage stress. I do barre, pilates, light cardio like walking or the stairmaster, and resistance training. My workouts are short. 30-60 minute workouts. Anything more and I have overexerted myself and will pay for it for the next two days. For you managing stress may be a cup of tea alone, talking with a friend, or journaling. Finding what’s best for your stress will be very useful in managing your symptoms.
Forget the guilt
This is still something I am learning. It’s really, really hard. Especially as a new mom. I feel guilty for not having the energy all day, every day. I feel guilty for eating a bite of bread. I feel guilty for throwing out a bunch of broccoli that went unused in my fridge because I was too tired to cook. I feel guilty for wanting to stay in rather than go out with friends. The list can literally go on and on. But I think what’s progress is that I am aware of this guilt. And I promise to tell myself to try better next time. To be easier on myself. To assure myself I am doing what is best for ME, and in return, that is what’s best for my family and friends.
Ask for help
Along with #4, this is something I am still learning. It was last year, the weekend of my son’s first birthday party, that I had to get a colonoscopy. There would be no way I could get everything organized and ready for a 75 person party. I had to ask for help. The hardest part was the actual asking. And sure enough, all who were able pitched in to get this party going! It has become easier as I have continued to live in this new normal to ask for help. I will lean on people I trust to take Ryder out for the morning and experience fun things with him. If I am not feeling well or am exhausted, I lean on my husband to take the reign that day. If I am experiencing symptoms or have questions, I call up my care providers and see what they think. I have put my trust into the professionals and to my family to help. And they do just that happily, time and time again.
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
Lovingly,
TLBS
