“Those were the darkest and hardest days of my life, and the biggest thing that I would do differently is I would ask for help. Instead, I hid, I locked that apartment door, and I wouldn’t let anyone see me.”
Last week, in honor of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, I talked about living with these diseases for the past 30 years. (Listen to that episode here.) Now, I’m wrapping things up by talking about running with Crohn’s disease, navigating the emotional and mental sides of this disease (trigger warning here: lots of talk of depression and being in a really low, dark place), and how to support the people in your life living with a chronic illness. Plus, my hotel lobby hack (that rarely works, but I always try!), my fear of trail cams and small-town Facebook groups, and so much more.
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2 Responses
I don’t have Crohn’s, but like many I have struggled with that intersection of physical/mental health. It’s paralyzing.
In general, your podcast speaks to people. But the last few episodes I’ve listened to – Chron’s 1&2 and “Life-Changing Date Night” – I have felt more connected to, and seen by, a complete stranger than pretty much any other time in my life. The only “stranger” who ever made me feel more instantly connected is my now husband. I’ve never met you or had a conversation with you, but yea … thank you for being raw, honest, silly, and not afraid to be a little gross – HA! I just appreciate what you put out in the world. Thank you. 🙂
As a woman, a runner & someone who also has Crohn’s disease…. Thank you …
We need to be open & talk about the impact of this disease, including all the icky bloody isolating stressful poopy yucky maddening painful bloaty & frustrating issues we have to navigate.
Aaaaand, ALSO the strength, spirit, perseverance, & motivation that all of us IBD warriors exhibit every single day …