Photo Credit: 95 quotes.com
i am happy, i am growing
I started this blog when I was 22.
I was on nine medications a day and miserable.
I was afraid of eating, since my IBS symptoms were so out of control.
I was living in a new city and lonely.
I thought if I could help others, I could somehow help myself
What started out as a baby blog, grew into something SO much more these last five years.
I have been blessed with multiple media opportunities to EDUCATE and ADVOCATE about IBS
I have met internet friends, that I may never meet face to face, but have supported me and loved me
I have answered emails, from countless women, desperate in their struggle with IBS, feel less alone
Despite these successes, I am hard on myself and my lack of consistent posting
SO instead of wallowing in my lack of productivity with the blog, I am PUSHING forward and doing an update
I was on nine medications a day and miserable.
I was afraid of eating, since my IBS symptoms were so out of control.
I was living in a new city and lonely.
I thought if I could help others, I could somehow help myself
What started out as a baby blog, grew into something SO much more these last five years.
I have been blessed with multiple media opportunities to EDUCATE and ADVOCATE about IBS
I have met internet friends, that I may never meet face to face, but have supported me and loved me
I have answered emails, from countless women, desperate in their struggle with IBS, feel less alone
Despite these successes, I am hard on myself and my lack of consistent posting
SO instead of wallowing in my lack of productivity with the blog, I am PUSHING forward and doing an update
where i've been
2017 was the year of media features for my struggles and story with IBS. (AND GETTING MARRIED!)
By the grace of the internet gods, Ironwood Pharmaceutical, found my blog and the rest fell into place
I was flown to NYC to be a Patient Advocate for the medication I take, Linzess.
I spoke to a live audience sharing my story & the following day was on multiple TV and Radio shows.
(Watch an interview here)
Due to copyright and contracts, I didn't share or post about it, but it is one of my proudest moments.
I was featured in Readers Digest Online Version of their Magazine
Creating this blog, a dream of mine was to share my story beyond the letters of my keyboard and it's come true!
BUT
I am more than just my IBS story as I mention in my "About Me"page and Blog Makeover
2017 was THE BEST YEAR yet of my life for so many OTHER reasons that the blog doesn't focus on
I, became We, in a life that my husband and I are slowly creating together filled with love and laughter.
(and I gained the best in-laws ever, they take me and ALL of my idiosyncrasies with open arms)
I started becoming more social, less rigid in my schedule and routine, and having a drink here and there
I continued working my dream job, carving out the literacy program at my school
I fell in love with running
I FINALLY got a diagnosis to explain why I'm forever injured - Hypermobile Ehler's Danlos Syndrome
I decided I wouldn't let a diagnosis dictate what I can and cannot do (sounds familiar right?)
2018 has been a year of injuries and continued personal growth so far
I started off the year being unable to run, injured as usual with Runner's Knees
I worked hard trying to get stronger and correct my imbalances
I tried to focus on other things in life, that didn't revolve around working out
I put my drive into making my school a better place to be by joining committees
I traveled out West, to Utah with my best friend and went BEYOND my comfort zone in SO many ways
I hiked 32 miles and overcame my fear of falling as well as getting over being covered in dirt and sweat
(What can I say? A part of me is STILL a Long Island Princess)
I became injured AGAIN, this time my feet and spine and was even more determined to heal AGAIN
I ran my VERY first 10k, despite the odds
By the grace of the internet gods, Ironwood Pharmaceutical, found my blog and the rest fell into place
I was flown to NYC to be a Patient Advocate for the medication I take, Linzess.
I spoke to a live audience sharing my story & the following day was on multiple TV and Radio shows.
(Watch an interview here)
Due to copyright and contracts, I didn't share or post about it, but it is one of my proudest moments.
I was featured in Readers Digest Online Version of their Magazine
Creating this blog, a dream of mine was to share my story beyond the letters of my keyboard and it's come true!
BUT
I am more than just my IBS story as I mention in my "About Me"page and Blog Makeover
2017 was THE BEST YEAR yet of my life for so many OTHER reasons that the blog doesn't focus on
I, became We, in a life that my husband and I are slowly creating together filled with love and laughter.
(and I gained the best in-laws ever, they take me and ALL of my idiosyncrasies with open arms)
I started becoming more social, less rigid in my schedule and routine, and having a drink here and there
I continued working my dream job, carving out the literacy program at my school
I fell in love with running
I FINALLY got a diagnosis to explain why I'm forever injured - Hypermobile Ehler's Danlos Syndrome
I decided I wouldn't let a diagnosis dictate what I can and cannot do (sounds familiar right?)
2018 has been a year of injuries and continued personal growth so far
I started off the year being unable to run, injured as usual with Runner's Knees
I worked hard trying to get stronger and correct my imbalances
I tried to focus on other things in life, that didn't revolve around working out
I put my drive into making my school a better place to be by joining committees
I traveled out West, to Utah with my best friend and went BEYOND my comfort zone in SO many ways
I hiked 32 miles and overcame my fear of falling as well as getting over being covered in dirt and sweat
(What can I say? A part of me is STILL a Long Island Princess)
I became injured AGAIN, this time my feet and spine and was even more determined to heal AGAIN
I ran my VERY first 10k, despite the odds
where i'm going
I will CONTINUE to grow and better myself, Yeates said it best "We are happy when we are growing"
I HOPE part of this growing will be continued blog posting, and that I can find a work, life, blog balance
I will keep stepping out of my comfort zone, whether it be with food, travel, or experiences, because I have my best friend, my husband by my side every single step of the way
I WILL KEEP RUNNING
--> limitations are something I have and might slow me down, but will NOT stop me completely.
I plan on training for a half marathon this Summer for a September Race
I will continue to show an attitude of gratitude for all that I have in this incredible life
My mom and dad, my husband, my in-laws, and my friends are my biggest supporters and I am so lucky to have such amazing individuals in my life
I HOPE part of this growing will be continued blog posting, and that I can find a work, life, blog balance
I will keep stepping out of my comfort zone, whether it be with food, travel, or experiences, because I have my best friend, my husband by my side every single step of the way
I WILL KEEP RUNNING
--> limitations are something I have and might slow me down, but will NOT stop me completely.
I plan on training for a half marathon this Summer for a September Race
I will continue to show an attitude of gratitude for all that I have in this incredible life
My mom and dad, my husband, my in-laws, and my friends are my biggest supporters and I am so lucky to have such amazing individuals in my life
a final statement
I am SO incredibly grateful for the amazing opportunities the blog has granted me, which is why I feel a pull to continue - Lately, I've received an influx of emails to my inbox, various women, of various ages, sad and struggling, trying to manage their Irritable Bowel Syndrome - their emails tug at my heart, because I KNOW what it is like to feel as if there is no "end" in sight of feeling better or having doctors who are unsure of what to do with you - SO every time I feel the urge to "shut the site down" or to "stop posting" I will remember their relief in finding my blog and knowing that they're not alone.
- Questions?
- Comments?
- Blogger - how do you keep your blog going as your life changes?
Post Filed Under: Life Updates
