On August, 27th 2021 I went to the ER for what I hoped to be a few days of IV steroids to treat a Crohn’s flare that I couldn’t get control of at home.  Little did I know that this visit would turn into a total of 28 days in the hospital and 3 surgeries in less than two months. Surgeries that left me with an ileostomy and a bowel resection.There were many complications and scary times, but I was still left with hope this life wouldn’t be this way forever.  Then,  in August 2022 I learned that despite colon rest my disease still progressed.  After multiple appointments and pelvic complications I had to make the decision to have my colon removed.  On January 16th, 2023 I had another major surgery and now am left with an ileostomy forever.  I wasn’t able to kick Crohn’s butt, in fact it kicked my butt. However, I am determined to get through recovery, get back to running, skiing, hiking, traveling …and put this behind me. Please follow my blog as I share my story with hopes that I will give others the strength to get through their own difficult journeys. Life is tough, but we only get one so why not  live it the best way we can?