9 Ways to Find Support for MS in Rural Communities
We live in a wonderful time where most people have access to endless amounts of information and support. However, if you live in a rural area, you may struggle to find local resources. Here is a list for you! I have compiled resources designed for people with limited...
Dear Adam: A letter from your chronically ill wife
[dvlabel]In the last few months, I've been writing a letter series for HealthCentral, and my article for this month was a letter to the spouse of someone living with UC. It just so happens this past week I had the immense honor of marrying my best friend, Adam. I...
Reassessing Your Career When You Live With Chronic Illness
From a young age, I have measured my value by my accomplishments. Right or wrong, it’s been a lifelong pattern for me. I’m almost 34, and my chronic illness has prompted me to consider how much longer I’ll be able to work full-time. For someone like me, this is...
What to Expect at Your Ocrevus Infusion
Ocrevus (ocrelizumab) was approved as a new treatment for Multiple Sclerosis in March of 2017. It is an infusion that patients have every six months, aside from the first two doses (which are one-half, two weeks apart). As one of the hot new medications on the market,...
How to Talk to Your Friends About Your Ulcerative Colitis
Living with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC), a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can lead to a lot of embarrassment and, in turn, isolation. That’s why it’s important to keep your support network intact. But sometimes, talking to your friends can be...
Dear Society: A Letter From an Ulcerative Colitis Patient
Dear Modern Society, I bet you’re tired of getting letters by now, aren’t you? It seems as though everyday there’s a new letter to the world, telling us how ill-informed we are on endless topics. This will not be that type of letter. Though I do hope we can all agree...
Knowing When to Switch MS Medications
I get a newsletter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with information about all of the recently approved drugs. It’s exciting to see. We live in a time when we are seeing treatment options advance before our eyes — from new offerings for long-treated...
New Site, New Focus
It's been a while but I'm back now! In the past few years, I've taken a break from personal blogging and even put some of my freelance work to the side to focus on building some of my professional skills and I'd like to think that work has paid off! I'm launching this...
Dear Newly Diagnosed Patient
Dear newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis (UC) patient, Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Jackie, and I’ll be your UC spirit guide for the start of your journey. As a veteran patient myself, I have a few nuggets of information that I’d like to share with you because you're...
Challenges and Successes of Being Employed With IBD
I graduated college in 2007, and have been working ever since. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 10 years ago, and with ulcerative colitis eight years ago. I have spent essentially my entire professional life working hard to prove I’m a good employee. There...
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