“I will never give up trying to make a difference in the world” – Liesel’s story
Hi!
I am a Crohn’s ileostomate of 27 years, a wife, mother, medical educator, writer, traveller, foodie, advocate and a doctor of 20 years.
A diagnosis of Crohn’s disease at the age of 25 changed the trajectory of my life, that’s for sure. Crohn’s has caused me to suffer terribly at times, but has also taught me to be a better human and doctor (I think!).
I got really sick 2 years after my diagnosis, when my first baby was only a few months old. I ended up in hospital via the emergency department, pumped full of steroids and fed intravenously by TPN for weeks because I couldn’t eat at all.
Then I developed sepsis and my life was at risk. I was rushed into emergency surgery – A total colectomy and ileostomy was the outcome and I woke with a bag in the ICU.
It was a huge shock, but my health improved so much after that operation that all I felt was gratitude. I still do.
Having an ileostomy has allowed me to: have another baby, go to medical school, graduate and work as a doctor, travel the world, eat great food (as long as it’s not too fibrous), exercise, and meet amazing people in the IBD community.
I’ve had a number of complications along the way, unfortunately, needed further surgery and medication, and also had complications from immunosuppression (including tongue cancer in 2023, which was scary). But I’m still here.
Crohn’s has affected every single area of my life, without a doubt. It’s a vicious disease and unrelenting disease and I really hope that a cure will be found one day.
In the meantime, my mantra is ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ and I will never give up trying to make a difference in the world (whilst seeing as much of it as possible!).