Tag Archives: support

The Sherman Prize: Awarding Excellence in IBD

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients can sometimes feel as though there is not enough support and resources for our community. For a condition that is common and also on the rise across the world,[1,2] it seems counterintuitive that there’s not more acknowledgement of how difficult these diseases are to live with and to treat.

For patients and their families, knowing that clinicians and scientists are working towards developing tools and treatments that will help in managing these conditions can be validating and impactful. People who have devoted their careers to IBD aren’t doing it for recognition. But there is a way to honor their contributions.

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Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month With Dan “Dry Dock” Shockley – About IBD Podcast Episode 149

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Diagnosed with attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP), retired Navy veteran Dan “Dry Dock” Shockley shares his remarkable journey of service, diagnosis, and advocacy. Following his diagnosis, Shockley became a passionate advocate for early detection and reducing the stigma associated with living with an ostomy. He emphasizes the importance of proactive medical care and maintaining a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Through his advocacy work and personal journey, Shockley serves as an inspiration, demonstrating resilience, determination, and a commitment to making a difference for others.

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IBD Connect With Lisa Fournier – About IBD Podcast Episode 146

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A diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBD) affects the entire family. When it’s a child that’s diagnosed, it changes so many things and brings a host of challenges. Families experience many unmet needs related to IBD. My guest is Lisa Fournier of IBD Connect. Lisa is the mother of two children who live with IBD. Her experiences in helping them manage IBD at different stages in life compelled her to be a support for others. She worked with her local hospital to start a support group and eventually founded IBD Connect. Learn about the programs IBD Connect offers and how the community can support their important mission.

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Mental Health and IBD: Why, Where, and How to Find Care

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As anyone who lives with an inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis, collectively called IBD) knows: the digestive problems only tell part of the story.

Patients with IBD may feel isolated or lonely. It’s not common to know another person who lives with the disease when diagnosed. Plus, the signs and symptoms can keep people at home, where it’s comfortable and easier to care for oneself, and away from work, school, and socializing.

It’s rather a perfect storm for having problems crop up with mental health.

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Coping With IBD While in Military Service – About IBD Podcast Episode 141

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What do all the new oral drugs available for treating IBD have to do with military service? Being diagnosed with IBD might mean leaving the military for some service members. Part of the reason is that it’s not possible to be deployed while receiving a drug that’s an injection or an infusion. But when a medication works well and happens to be in pill form: that’s a game-changer. Dr Anish Patel, the Medical Director of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Brooke Army Medical Center gives an update on how IBD is treated in the military, what he sees on the horizon for IBD, and his best advice for every patient living with a chronic illness.

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Having a Screening Colonoscopy – About IBD Podcast Episode 138

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Colon cancer is being diagnosed more frequently in younger people. It’s now recommended that most people get a screening colonoscopy at the age of 45. For people who have a family history of colon cancer, the first screening should be when they are 10 years younger than the family member was when they were diagnosed.

My guest is my husband, Michael Tresca, who recently had a screening colonoscopy after turning 50. He details his experiences in using a newer prep and how he managed the process.

If there is a person in your life that is due for their screening, I hope you’ll share this with them. And if you’re someone who is involved in administering screening colonoscopies, I hope you’ll listen to get an unfiltered perspective.

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Is Diarrhea Funny?

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A search of my computer shows that I’ve written on the topic of diarrhea several times already. It’s a recurring theme every few years, usually after a news event.

The latest circumstance, as I write this, is an incident that occurred on a flight between Atlanta and Barcelona in early September 2023. Reportedly, a passenger had diarrhea that was concerning enough to be considered a biohazard. According to CNN and other sources, the flight turned around after a few hours and went back to Atlanta. (CNN)

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What to Do When You’re Stuck

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Do you ever feel stuck?

Of course you do, everyone does from time to time. The difference is that when it happens to someone who lives with a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it could get complicated quickly.

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Experiences Are Solitary but Learning Is Communal

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There’s one question that I’ve been asked many times, and it’s one that I also ask others when I conduct interviews:

“What advice would you give to people who are newly diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis?”

I see the importance of getting both new and veteran patients to give their experience with a new diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It might be fair to say that most people, in hindsight, whether this is weeks or decades later, can point out where their journey could have been improved.

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Living with IBD: How Caitlin McGinnis, LCSW Supports Mental Health

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AIBD Podcast Episode 129

Caitlin McGinnis, LCSW was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 22 and had her entire colon removed. This experience prompted her to become a social worker and specialize in providing mental health support for patients with various digestive health issues. Through her own experiences and connecting with support groups, Caitlin has learned the importance of creating communities, bringing awareness, and being a source of support for those going through similar struggles. She strives to provide her patients with the support she did not have when she was diagnosed.

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