Erika has been a Crohn’s fighter for 11 years. In that timeframe, she has gone through 2 surgeries. Even after a few surgeries, she hasn’t really been in remission and battles Crohn’s every day. Currently, her go-to drugs are Stelara and Immuran. She has tried some of the biologics like Remicade, Humira and Cimzia, but she was unresponsive on those drugs.

She like many others, find that just going to work and staying out of pain while at work a daily challenge. After a long day at work, she barely has enough energy to do everyday home-life activities like cook/clean the house and support her husband.

Everyone that I have highlighted in the blog has referred to the “you don’t look sick” statement. Crohn’s is a silent disease and people don’t realize what we go through on a daily basis when we are in an active flare with our disease. When people with Crohn’s take a sick day, it’s not like everyone else’s sick day. We will curl up in a ball in bed or on the couch doubled over in pain. We all learn to work through it 95% of the time.

A lot of women with Crohn’s are concerned with how it will impact the ability to have children and then be a great mother. There are a lot of moms with Crohn’s, but there is a risk with it. Right now, Erika is the mom to 2 dogs and 3 cats and have won many horse shows as well. She attributes her successes like her horse shows and gaining her Master’s Degree to her supportive husband.