Posted by Palwasha Alokozai on June 13, 2023
Hello Everyone! My name is Palwasha and I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2020, at the age of 15. My diagnosis is one of the main reasons why I want to pursue a future in medicine as a Physician Associate, and be able to help with research and advancements for the IBD community, as there is so much room for growth.
One of the biggest struggles I used to face (and sometimes still do!) is the unpredictability of my Crohn’s disease. Having flares & other symptoms at events or fun trips, creates this fear of traveling and not being able to have fun experiences. I always have to worry about how a sudden flare of my Crohn’s will affect or prohibit me, especially if I am going through a long flare. This often caused me to pass up opportunities.
I’m starting to take steps to overcome this fear, in fact, I recently went on a trip to Europe in January. This was my first international trip after being diagnosed and having surgery for my Crohn’s. It was incredibly freeing knowing that I can have a fun trip or experience, as long as I am being careful. It’s comforting and joyful to know that I don’t need to worry or get so stressed out. Although I do have flares here and there, I don’t stress as much as I used to, and really trust my providers and team to get me the help I need.
I don’t know anyone my age that has IBD, as it is an “invisible” disease, for the most part. I was recently introduced to ImproveCareNow and the PAC, and I think it’s awesome that we have a community to share experiences, learn from each other, and most importantly support one another! It’s nice to have a group to lean on, since we all know, navigating IBD can be a very challenging journey. I think this community will allow me to be more involved with my personal journey with Crohn’s disease and understanding it on a deeper level. Lastly, I am hoping to learn from everyone else’s experience, stories, and be involved in helping patients new to their IBD diagnosis.
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