My Crohnstipated Life

Before Crohn’s, I was someone else. Someone with energy. Someone who didn’t have to plan every outing around bathroom availability. Someone who could eat a cheeseburger without mentally calculating the risk.

When my body started betraying me, I fought against it. I clung to the old version of myself, refusing to accept that my life had changed. But the truth is—grief is a natural part of chronic illness. We lose things. We lose food freedom. We lose spontaneity. We lose the ability to trust our own bodies.

But you know what? We gain things, too.

I’ve gained resilience. I’ve gained a deeper understanding of my body. I’ve gained a perspective that most people don’t get until they’re much older—health is not guaranteed, and every good day is a gift.

I still grieve my old self sometimes. But I also celebrate the woman I’ve become. She’s a fighter. And if you’re reading this, so are you.

Stay Strong!