Ana
Ana’s life with Crohn’s disease isn’t the one she’d imagined. But with passion, determination, and acceptance, she discovered how the unexpected can be just as sweet.
A winding road to diagnosis
As a college student in 2005, Ana began to experience vomiting regularly. During her hour-long drive to campus, she would often have to throw up in a “barf bag.” Over time, her symptoms progressed to bloating and frequent diarrhea.
Her primary care physician told her she had acid reflux, but the medication she was prescribed didn’t help. Eventually, she was referred to a gastroenterologist who also misdiagnosed her and started her on a treatment for ulcerative colitis.
After graduating from college, Ana began a career in law enforcement. The job was demanding and the diarrhea became more severe; she was leaking stool and racing to the bathroom—often barely making it in time.
Finally, Ana saw a colorectal surgeon who told her he thought she may have Crohn’s disease (CD). Her gastroenterologist then diagnosed her with CD and prescribed her a different treatment plan.
After I was diagnosed with Crohn’s, I didn’t want to accept that my future would be any different.
Baking up a bright future
After a year and a half on treatment her symptoms improved, but she started noticing side effects. During a routine visit, a nurse gave Ana life-changing advice: find a doctor who would listen to her and work with her to find the right treatment for her.
Today, Ana’s life looks a little different from the one she imagined in college. But to her, it’s just as sweet. Ana pivoted from a high-stress career that she loved to build her very own baking business—a lifelong passion she rediscovered during the COVID-19 pandemic. And she’s living life her way, spending time with her daughter and loved ones.
Ana continues to have symptoms, but she’s found a recipe that works for her: working with her doctor, being proactive about her health, advocating for herself, and never giving up.
That’s the funny thing about the future—sometimes, the things you never expect can be the most beautiful.
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