December 4: We are right smack dab in the middle of IBD Awareness Week, which runs this year from December 1-7.
IBD – (Irritable Bowel Disease) differs from IBS in that IBD is only Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s — both actual diseases that affect the digestive system — and can be life threatening.
And the thing about Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis is that they are by and large “invisible diseases,” meaning just by looking at a person, you wouldn’t know that they’re sick, or dealing with chronic pain.
As many of you know, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 15/16, and suffered two terrible flares. The last of which was in 2010, and had me on bedrest for 11 months.
Since then, (and when no medications would work), I adopted the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and I have been in remission: symptom and medication free for 13 years, praise God.
And sitting here, with Ulcerative Colitis for all intents and purposes in my rear-view mirror, I thought that I would share three things that I have learned over the course of my life, managing a life-altering disease. Because though I make it look easy (if I do say so myself…) it hasn’t all been a walk in the park.
First off, I don’t know what I would have done without the Specific Carbohydrate Diet – it not only saved my life, but has also allowed me to live a normal life. Remember, during that last 11 month flare, I was at a fork in the road where my only options were: have a part of my intestines removed, resulting in a J-Bag; or go on Humira for the rest of my life, which is a megadrug like chemotherapy that you get intraveneously every few weeks, and it in essence shuts off your immune system…and it doesn’t “cure” Ulcerative Colitis, it only delays your next flare….because it merely a bandaid to the underlying issue.
Anyway, when I was faced with that choice, I asked my doctor to give me 2 weeks to try this radical therapeutic diet (the SCD) that I had been reading about on the internet during those 11 months. And sure enough, within about 7-8 days, my symptoms drastically improved and in about 4 weeks, I was able to get out of bed and return to my life in NYC.
All that to say…here’s what I learned.
1. Maintain a Proper Perspective on Things
This one is huge. There are days where you may feel down that your life looks different than others; you might be tired of being sick; you might be dreading doctors appointments; or feel just super annoyed that you’re in your teens and have had more colonoscopies than your average 65 year old. It’s moments like this that it’s important to remember that you’re alive. Yes, the hand we have been dealt is challenging, and can seem a bit unfair at first, but you’re alive. You woke up that morning to a new day and new potential. That is an immense blessing and it shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Further to that, you can shift your perspective from feel sorry for yourself to being empowered. This was truly when my life changed. When you realize that your IBD has given you the opportunity to really get a hold of your health, and become in your best physical health possible: that you have the opportunity to really learn how to take care of yourself: master nutrition, master cooking, get to know your body’s needs and figure out how to thrive: that is a humongous blessing. That is something most people rarely figure out to that degree, and those that do usually discover it only after a health event, so what a blessing that we can live our entire lives empowered with that knowledge.
2. Dependence on God
This one should have been first. But honestly, there is nothing more important than fully relying on God when things get tough. Because real talk: we can’t do it on our own. We can’t muscle our way through things or depend on our own courage. It will run out. Period.
One of my doctors during that 11 month flare shared with me a powerful verse that I have held onto for my entire life. It’s Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Without hope, chronic disease can be isolating, depressing, causing one to feel completely desolate.
With the hope that comes from God, we are reminded that all this on earth is temporary and that our sights should be set on Heaven. And that all our earthly suffering is not in vain, but rather can be used to offer up to Heaven and to those who have gone before us. We are being refined in the refiner’s fire: like gold.
Clinging to God and radically trusting Him has gotten me through some very dark moments.
3. GRATITUDE + CREATIVITY = ABUNDANCE
Here’s the deal: with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, there are a lot of restrictions, based on the molecular structure of the food, and what an IBD-stomach can and can’t digest.
If I just sat around and focused on all the things I can’t eat, I would be so darn depressed. No pizza, no ice cream or McDonalds, or Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake, no state fair food, etc.
Instead, be THANKFUL for the things you can eat, and then GET CREATIVE!
Oh my gosh I have so much fun getting creative in the kitchen and whipping up “Specific Carbohydrate Diet-versions” of different foods!
For example, last week, Steven and I had a PIZZA PARTY where I made the pizza crust entirely out of cauliflower, eggs, parmesan cheese and almond flour! And it was SO GOOD!
I make ice cream out of frozen bananas that ROCKS and that I enjoy nearly every day! I just whipped up a batch of pumpkin cookies! Yesterday, Steven and I enjoyed mini banana pancake bites that were seriously the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.
Creativity goes a long way. And when you’re grateful for the things you can eat — you go from seeing your life from a scarcity mindset, to an abundance mindset!
So there you go!
Those are my top three things that I have gleaned over the years of having Ulcerative Colitis.
I would HIGHLY recommend the Specific Carbohydrate Diet to anyone suffering with IBD, IBS or autism. It changed my life, and has let me to truly believe in the power of food!
The diet is spelled out in Breaking the Vicious Cycle, and you can find it here on Amazon.
God bless, and keep fighting, warriors!