This week we spoke to Liam Robertson! Liam was diagnosed with UC when he was a young adult but the process was lengthy and filled with times when he was not believed. We talked about what that was like to navigate the health system and his feelings on it. We discussed...
Real talk about the realities of IBD…On the rocks!
Hosts Robin and Alicia interview people living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis and the medical providers who care for our community.
Join us to meet people affected by IBD- we laugh, we cry, we learn new things, we hear inspiring stories, and we share a drink.
Hey, I’m
Robin
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2000.
I had recently returned to college after having two baby girls in 2.5 years. I got very sick very fast and ended up in the hospital. It was decided that my colon needed to be removed pretty emergently and I left the hospital after 3+ weeks with no colon and an ostomy. After the pathology reports came back my diagnosis was changed to interderminant colitis and my surgeon decided against giving me a j-pouch. He asked if I would consider connecting my illeum to what was left of my rectum and giving life without the ostomy a shot. I figured why not and lived that way for 20 years. In 2018 my diagnosis changed again and I had to accept the fact that I had Crohn’s disease all along. My scope in 2020 showed the potential for colon cancer and another surgery was necessary. I ended up getting a jpouch after all. People with Crohn’s are not usually given a jpouch for a myriad of reasons, but I was thought to be a good candidate because my Crohn’s was in my stomach (RARE) and there had been no signs of Crohn’s in my small intestines ever. So now, I’m a crohnie with a jpouch and sharing it all with all of you on the podcast.
Hey, I’m
Alicia
I’m a social worker that’s been working with people living with chronic illnesses for more than 20 years (I was a fetus when I started. I promise).
My dad was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was a teenager and that really sparked my passion for working with these communities. I started focusing on IBD about 7 years ago and I’ve absolutely loved getting to know and be part of this community! All of the people living with IBD are so resilient, passionate, and interesting and all of the healthcare providers are so smart, funny, invested, and committed. Best of all, this community is the reason that I met and had the privilege of making friends with Robin! I could not have asked for a better co-host and ride-or-die and creating and producing this podcast has been SO much fun.
Listen to the
Podcast
Meet Liam R.!
This week we spoke to Liam Robertson! Liam was diagnosed with UC when he was a young adult but the process was lengthy and filled with times when he was not believed. We talked about what that was like to navigate the health system and his feelings on it. We discussed...
Meet Michele Rubin, APN!
This week we spoke to Michele Rubin! Michele is an advanced practice nurse and is the Associate APN Director of the IBD Center at the University of Chicago Medicine. She specializes in surgery for IBD and has helped to create a J-Pouch specific clinic. We talked to...
Meet Ashley M.!
This week we talked to Ashley Mann! Ashley was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when she was 20 years old but she had been experiencing symptoms when she was in high school. We talked to her about what it was like being a competitive cheerleader with active disease. We...
Drink the
Drinks
Blueberry Basil Tea
For this week's beverage, I'm featuring a blueberry basil iced tea. There are lots of blueberry basil recipes on the interwebs. I think I might try this with green tea and maybe test it with different berries. Have fun and get creative! Without further ado - Blueberry...
Strawberry Tea
"On this beautiful Monday morning, I wish you a day full of adventure. May every day be such an adventure that you will cherish all your life.” ~ anonymous Mondays and adventure, what could be better? Today I give you fresh and crisp Strawberry Tea! INGREDIENTS 1 pint...
Earl Grey Tea
This morning we are featuring a classic cup of Earl Grey Tea. 🫖 Earl Grey Tea is typically a black tea base flavored with oil from the rind of bergamot orange. It is quintessentially British and in the UK they usually drink this particular tea with milk. Regular milk...