Navigating life with a Stoma - Elizabeths journey

In this episode, LeeAnne Hayden interviews Elizabeth, who shares her personal journey with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Elizabeth discusses her diagnosis, the challenges of living with IBD, her experiences with various treatments, and the impact of lifestyle changes on her health. She also talks about her surgeries, including the decision to have a stoma, and how she navigated life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation highlights the importance of nutrition, mental health, and support in managing chronic illness. In this conversation, Elizabeth shares her journey of living with a stoma, emphasizing the importance of community support and the positive impact of social media in her healing process. She discusses her approach to nutrition post-surgery, highlighting the trial and error involved in finding what works for her body. The conversation also delves into the significance of supplements in maintaining health and wellness, as well as the shared experiences of navigating life with chronic conditions. The episode concludes with a focus on the importance of personal journeys and the support found within the community. Takeaways Elizabeth was diagnosed with Crohn's and colitis in 2009.She experienced severe symptoms for over a decade before diagnosis.Nutrition became a passion for Elizabeth due to her health struggles.She had multiple flare-ups and was often put on steroids.Elizabeth underwent surgery to manage her condition, including a stoma.She learned the importance of vitamin D for her health.Living in Bali positively impacted her well-being.Elizabeth transitioned to working for herself, which improved her quality of life.She faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic after her surgeries.Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of mental health in managing chronic illness. I was one of the lucky ones because my passions were around health and wellness.I went on Instagram and found a community of people living with stomas.I was actually very positive and grateful going in.The more we share our journeys, the better it will be for the next generation.Food is everything, and it's all trial and error for each of us.Our bodies are very smart; they will tell us what's going on.I can't have fiber because it causes blockages for me.I take all the supplements that help with inflammation and health.Living with a stoma has been a massive trial and error.Community support is crucial in navigating health challenges.