Stress is a huge trigger for me. Throw a good amount of stress into my life and my IBD symptoms rear their ugly heads - diarrhea, urgency, cramps, and fatigue. So, I've learned to slow down. Not always an easy thing to do in a world where we're constantly tethered to our computers, cell phones, and cars, but I've learned that if I run too hard, work too hard, or, even play too hard, I will pay the consequences. And I've learned that how fast and how hard I live my life truly is up to me. I have altered my lifestyle, I have slowed down, but I still live a good, full life with plenty of friends, adventure, travel, and relaxation. I now make time in my days for myself - this might mean reading a book, sitting on the front porch to take in the sights and smells, or chat with a neighbor. Yoga, Reiki, and meditation are new parts of my life that I find hugely rewarding both physically and mentally. I've changed how I work opting to leave my job in professional public relations in exchange for a life as a freelance writer - I make less money and have to pay for my own benefits, but I have more control over how I live, how I work, and how I play. And when a "bad day," as I've come to call them, pops up it's a lot easier to ask the boss for a day off.

I still have "bad days," sometimes even "bad weeks," but for the most part of the past three or four years flare-ups have been few and far between. But, I live a very different life today than I did prior to 1998. My husband and friends are tolerant of the changes I've had to make and I actually find my life better after my IBD diagnosis than before it. Now I appreciate every good day I have without symptoms or problems from IBD. And even on those now rare "bad days" I know relief is attainable and within my power.

A little more than a year ago I wrote and published a book titled: Living with IBD & IBS: A Personal Journey of Success. The book takes the reader through my journey of learning how to live a successful life despite these chronic, and frankly, embarrassing diseases. You can read excerpts and order it online at http://www.ibdandibs.com/.

I am thrilled that HealthCentral Network has provided us IBDers with our own web site, a place where we can forge our own community. I hope this space will be a safe place where we can share with each other our triumphs, our frustrations, and our day-to-day concerns about living with IBD. And I hope you'll continue to follow along with me on my bog blog.