Lucy Laube
Day in the Life: Colonoscopy Time

Come with Lucy as she takes us through her prep for a colonoscopy.

Day in the Life: Colonoscopy Time

A Week in my Life with IBD (in remission)!

by Michelle Garber (California, U.S.A.)

Join 2025 CCYAN Fellow Michelle for a week in her life as a young adult with IBD!

Voice-over:

I start this week looking my best, 

Make-up on, energy up, and Purim Party dressed. 

I have a good time with friends I adore, 

My night routine later becoming SUCH a chore. 

I then wake up exhausted and can’t get out of bed, 

But I still do my work and eat, with the few spoons I have left. 

The following day, I am more energized, 

Entering a room I know is so sterilized. 

I fight through the fatigue brought on by my infusion, 

Work, eat, pack my lunch, and take my meds before my day came to its conclusion. 

I now begin my work-week by getting up at 6, 

Drown myself in coffee, one of my favorite tricks! 

I go to my internship, and straight into my routine, 

Notes, calls, clients, group therapy, and a lot of caffeine! 

After work, I can’t do a lot, 

But look at this cute video I got! 

I awaken fatigued, joining class with my dog, 

Eat, complete assignments, and get ready for work tomorrow…all with pretty bad brain fog! 

The next day still comes quick, and to my internship I return, 

I have a great session with a client, but for dryer weather I yearn (*the rain scares me*) 

The chef made us salsa, which I completely devour, 

Before heading home in what felt like a shower. 

My day begins again with food and class, 

Doing moving-day duties while trying to survive saying, “This too shall pass.” (*yes it will!*) 

I call my best friend, who always makes me elated, 

Thankfully managing to finish my speech and shower, no this isn’t x-rated. On this last day,

I wake up and eat,  

Put on some make-up, and hop in my brother’s passenger seat. 

I head to a gallery featuring art by the IBD community, 

Presenting my speech while feeling such unity in our autoimmunity (*hehe*). 

I eat more food before waiting in line, 

The concert was great, but GOD my poor spine! 

While I wake up so drained, I still remember the night I had, 

So just don’t push too hard or use all your spoons, and life with IBD can sometimes be rad.

Beverages and IBD: Science and Taste

Mahdwer Ayalew, one of our CCYAN Fellows for this year, shows her favorite drinks and explains the scientific evidence for their positive health effects. Read more on the effects of turmeric, black pepper, and green tea in the articles linked below:

https://www.umassmed.edu/nutrition/bl...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

Learn How to Make Indian Chai Tea

By: Maalvika Bhuvansunder

Disclaimer: This tea may not suit everyone, as each person with IBD has different dietary restrictions and what works for one may not work for the other

The recipe and instructions for this delicious drink are below:

Indian Chai -serves two
Ingredients:

  • Tea powder: 1 teaspoon*

  • Ginger: one tiny piece

  • Cardamom: 2 pods

  • Clove: 2 pieces

  • Cinnamon: 1/4th of a stick or a small piece

  • Water: one teacup

  • Lactose free milk: one teacup* (Video recipe uses @almarai lactosefree milk)

  • Sugar: 2 teaspoons*

Method:

  1. In a tea pot, add in one cup of water

  2. Crush together ginger, cardamom, clove, cinnamon and add them to the water

  3. Boil the above on low flame for 3-5 mins

  4. Once the color of the water gets a slight tint, add in 1 ½ teaspoon of tea powder

  5. After a minute, add in one teacup of milk

  6. Add in 2 teaspoons of sugar and let it boil on high flame

  7. When the tea comes to a boil switch, off the stove and strain the tea.

  8. Serve with your favorite snacks or biscuits.

*Use decaf black tea if caffeine is an issue(ex: Lipton decaf black tea bags)

*You can replace the milk with any plant based ones or have the tea black if preferred

*You can add in any other spices such as saffron or mint, based on ones liking

*Sugar can be skipped

The recipe can easily be doubled or reduced. Add equal quantities of water and milk

To the Girl Staring Back at Me

Natasha Kacharia, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis her junior year of high school. In this video, she shares how she failed to recognize herself in the mirror and eventually learns to appreciate her new identity with her diagnosis.

Photo by Lukáš Dlutko from Pexels

This article is sponsored by Connecting to Cure.

Connecting to Cure Crohn’s and Colitis is a grassroots, volunteer organization that brings together the IBD community with a focus on caregivers and families. Connecting to Cure Crohn’s & Colitis provides community and support for those coping with these chronic illnesses, while raising awareness and funds for research as well.

Moving into Stanford Except I'm Chronically Ill and Stuff

Hi! My name is Nathalie, one of the CCYAN fellows of 2021!

Spend some time with me while I talk about what it’s like to move when you have a chronic illness! If you want to find out more information about me or CCYAN, be sure to check out @ccyanetwork on social media.

Lyfebulb logo.png

This content is sponsored by Lyfebulb.

Lyfebulb is a patient empowerment platform, which centers around improving the lives of those impacted by chronic disease.

This video was created by Nathalie Garcia from the U.S.

Photo by Ricardo Esquivel from Pexels.

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Paint With Me: Finding a Coping Skill for IBD

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Hi! My name is Nathalie, one of the CCYAN fellows of 2021!

TW: mental health

Today I talk about how I found what coping skill worked best for me to manage my IBD and my mental health. If you want to find out more information about me or CCYAN, be sure to check out https://www.ccyanetwork.org and @ccyanetwork on social media.

If you or a loved one with IBD is struggling with mental health and needs immediate help, please cal 911, text START to 747-741 or call 1-800-273 TALK (8255).

Remember, you are not alone.

This video is sponsored by Lyfebulb.

Lyfebulb is a patient empowerment platform, which centers around improving the lives of those impacted by chronic disease.

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Paint With Me: Managing IBD and Depression

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TW: depression

Hi! My name is Nathalie, one of the CCYAN fellows of 2021! Today I talk about my experiences dealing with IBD and depression.

“I think sometimes when you’re dealing with depression, it never feels like anyone can understand you. It’s kind of like you’re screaming at the world for just anyone to listen to you, and somehow, no one can hear you. And no one can see you, because of your disability and the fact that it’s invisible. But I’m here to remind you that I can hear you, and so can other people in our community.”

If you or a loved one with IBD is struggling with mental health and needs immediate help, please call 911, text START to 747-741 or call 1-800-273 TALK (8255). Remember, you are not alone.

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This video is sponsored by Lyfebulb.

Lyfebulb is a patient empowerment platform, which centers around improving the lives of those impacted by chronic disease.

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My IBD Story

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Hi! My name is Nathalie, one of the CCYAN fellows of 2021! Today I talk about my IBD diagnosis story and how Crohn's disease affected me at such an early age...

Get ready with CCYAN fellow Nathalie Garcia as she shares her IBD diagnosis story and how Crohn’s disease affected her at such an early age. 

Growing up, Nathalie’s brother almost lost his life due to ulcerative colitis following a misdiagnosis from lack of medical testing. A few years later, Nathalie began experiencing signs of IBD herself when she was just 15 years old. Because of her family history, Nathalie was tested early for IBD only for the results to come out as inconclusive. At 16, however, she collapsed during her high school cross-country race and was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Nathalie dives into her diagnosis journey in her latest video and shares the ups, the downs, and all the relatable moments in between. 

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This video is sponsored by Lyfebulb.

Lyfebulb is a patient empowerment platform, which centers around improving the lives of those impacted by chronic disease.

IBD Symptoms Outside the Gut

“For years before I was diagnosed with IBD, I experienced the symptoms described in this video. It would have been helpful to know at a young age that these were all related to one, bigger issue!”

For years before I was diagnosed with IBD, I experienced the symptoms described in this video. It would have been helpful to know at a young age that these w...

Accommodations in School and in the Workplace

One of the most intimidating topics after getting diagnosed with IBD is the concept of accommodations. That is why Samantha created this video to try to help answer some of the questions that may come up when starting to look for accommodations - both in school and the workplace!

IBD Week in the Life During Covid-19 | Vlog

Catch a glimpse into the life of an IBD patient during a pandemic as Lucy navigates a week of lab work, prescriptions, virtual doctor appointments, and insurance quandaries.

Catch a glimpse into the life of an IBD patient during a pandemic as I navigate a week of lab work, prescriptions, virtual doctor appointments, and insurance...

IBD COVID