A day in the life of an IBD supermom

My morning usually starts when my alarm goes off at 6:30 am.  I push through the queasiness and lightheadedness that hit me when I wake up with a determined smile because I know it’s time to wake up the kids.  I have two daughters (ages 15 and 16) and two sons (ages 8 and 10).  I wake up my younger daughter first for 7:00 am volleyball practice.

Next, I wake up the boys around 7:30 am for school at 9:00 am.  My youngest boy is like my twin and such a mama’s boy!  Then I cook breakfast every morning around 8:15 am depending on what I’m making before the kids go to school (usually, but not now while we’re quarantined at home because of COVID-19.)  We’re having even more family time together while we’re social distancing at home.

I try to keep that smile on my face through whatever excruciating belly pain I experience and no matter how many times I have to run to the bathroom in a day.  In all honesty, no supermom wants to let their kids or spouse see that they’re suffering from such high pain levels.  I know my health is important and I stay on top of that, but in those moments I don’t want my loved ones to know that I’m struggling.  I want them to know I’m always there for them and that IBD won’t make me hideaway.

My oldest daughter has an intellectual disability, and as a mom with a chronic illness, having a special needs child can be especially overwhelming at times.  I’ll be real — I cry in the bathroom a lot.  I often find myself questioning whether I could have done anything differently when I was pregnant with her to make a difference.  But she is my loving, courageous, artistic girl who loves her family and I’m so thankful for every second, minute, hour, day, as her mom.

In reality, lots of days are struggles for me because I’m in so much pain and in the bathroom all the time.  But I choose to focus on helping my kids with homework, attending school activities, being there for my husband, and cooking meals because, to me, I’m a mom and wife first.  My proudest moments are when I had kids and when I got married.

IBD is such a horrible and unpredictable disease. It’s already stolen so much from me but I refuse to let it dictate my life or hinder what I’m able to do or where I’m able to go.  I don’t want Crohn’s to label me.  Matter of fact, I’ll label myself… SUPERMOM AND WIFE. 😉

To all you other supermoms out there, you are lovable, valuable, and important!  Thanks for being you. 💜

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