Jennifer shares her incredible journey with Crohn's disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. She was diagnosed when she was 11 years old with debilitating Crohn's disease. At 19 she had very serious surgery which was life changing .

00:00 introduction

00:37 Jen's 6 Episode Insights

01:50 Who is Jennifer

01:45 What is Crohn's disease, her symptoms, surgeries and her most life changing surgery an ileostomy, her secondary autoimmune disease is Rheumatoid Arthritis, J Pouch surgery

06:27 The differences between Colitis and Crohn's disease

08:06 What exactly is an ileostomy and why they are not to be feared

08:38 How the ileostomy changed her life for the better

10:09 Diet and her Crohn's disease

13:14 How Jen's identity and her sense of self has changed since her diagnosis

16:35 The role shame plays in our lives as we navigate our illness

18:49 What should people that love and support us refrain from saying and what is ok to say

23:14 Chronic pain is a thief that takes so much away. What has she lost, what has she gained?

27:39 Medications like Gabapentin help her nerve pain yet there are many medicines she can't take for pain due the negative interactions with her Crohn's

30:02 The importance of a good mental health team and chronic pain

31:30 Medical Marijuana for pain control

32:18 The importance of humor in Jen's life

35:58 Jen offers advice for the newly diagnosed, self advocacy, finding the right doctor, taking a person with you to big appointments

37:48 Jen finishes the statement "What Doesn't Kill Me"