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What happens when your body declares war on multiple organs? Julie Davis knows this reality all too well. Her medical journey began with a celiac disease diagnosis at 18, followed by ulcerative colitis in college, but it was the sudden onset of autoimmune pancreatitis in 2011 that turned her world upside down.

Julie's story is remarkable not just for the rare combination of conditions she manages, but for the extraordinary resilience she's shown throughout her journey. As a dietitian who became a physician's assistant while battling debilitating pancreatitis flares, Julie brings unique perspective from both sides of healthcare. She takes us through the harrowing experience of multiple hospitalizations, specialists puzzling over her case at Mayo Clinic, and ultimately, the life-altering decision to have her pancreas completely removed in 2023.

The procedure—called total pancreatectomy with islet cell autotransplantation—is so rare that Julie couldn't find a single podcast about it. Her pancreatic cells were extracted and transplanted into her liver, turning her into what she describes as "essentially a type 1 diabetic" overnight. Despite this dramatic medical intervention and the insulin pump she now relies on, Julie's perspective remains incredibly positive.

Perhaps most inspiring is how Julie has refused to let her health conditions define her limitations. She completed PA school despite having an endoscopy and nerve block the same morning as important exams. She had three children through IVF while managing multiple autoimmune conditions. And today, she's passing on her hard-won wisdom to her daughter, who has inherited celiac disease.

Julie's message to fellow chronic illness warriors rings clear: "It doesn't define you. You can still do things that you love." Her extraordinary journey demonstrates that even the most complex medical challenges can't stand in the way of a determined spirit pursuing a fulfilling career, family life, and future.

Links:

• The Juicebox Podcast
• Mission Cure: Nonprofit working in improve quality of life and bring more treatments to chronic pancreatitis

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** Warning that this episode talks very candidly and descriptively about surgery and more.**
Few IBD stories contain as many twists, complications, and near-death experiences as Bryan Schulze's journey with ulcerative colitis. What began with occasional bleeding during his military deployment escalated into a life-threatening medical emergency when doctors discovered he had been hemorrhaging internally for months. With severe anemia and barely conscious, Bryan's introduction to IBD came with a stark realization — he had been slowly dying without knowing it.

Bryan's candid account takes us through the harrowing reality of military service with undiagnosed IBD, the struggle to maintain dignity while bleeding profusely, and the complex surgeries that followed. After medication failures and complications that defy belief, Bryan underwent a full colectomy and J-pouch surgery that led to severe complications including a massive abdominal infection, wound vacuum treatments, and catastrophic surgical errors.

Beyond the physical trauma, Bryan shares the emotional and professional toll of IBD. From workplace discrimination to failed career dreams, steroid-induced diabetes to heart failure, and battles with depression and anxiety — his story encompasses the full spectrum of challenges IBD patients may face. Yet through it all, Bryan found his way back through support from his family, reconnection with his faith, and an indomitable will to live.

Now serving as a police officer with a permanent ostomy bag, Bryan offers powerful wisdom to fellow IBD warriors: "Take a deep breath. It's not a life ender. It is a life changer. Be willing to adapt with it so that you can overcome it and still live the life that you were given to live." His message of resilience serves as a beacon for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable health challenges.

Have you been struggling with IBD? Share your story or questions with us, and remember that no matter how difficult your journey, you're never alone in this fight.

Links:

• Our episode with Dr. Anish Patel
• Our episode with Matty Bowels!
• Veterans with IBD Support Group- Cron's & Colitis Foundation USA
• About IBD Podcast episode with Dr. Anish Patel
• John's story of serving in the Royal Marines in the UK- Crohn's & Colitis UIK

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Kimberly LaRose's journey from a nine-year diagnostic odyssey to creating an award-winning vodka demonstrates the remarkable resilience found in the IBD community. After struggling with unexplained symptoms that doctors repeatedly misdiagnosed, Kimberly finally received her Crohn's disease diagnosis and discovered that gluten and corn were major inflammation triggers for her body.

Rather than seeing her dietary restrictions as limitations, Kimberly embraced a philosophy of "replacing, not removing." This positive mindset would prove transformative when she attended an event where she couldn't eat or drink anything due to her restrictions. What began as a half-joking call to a friend about creating their own vodka evolved into Wisher Vodka – a sugar beet-based spirit that's gluten-free, grain-free, and vegan.

The path from concept to award-winning product wasn't simple. Kimberly and her co-founder Emily researched 300 distillers, visited 60 personally, and developed a unique production process that includes lab testing every batch to ensure purity. Their commitment to quality and transparency has earned them multiple prestigious awards, including Grand Vodka of the Year with a remarkable 98-point taste rating from the Bartender Spirits Award.

Beyond the business success, Kimberly's story highlights how health challenges can unexpectedly open new doors. "I wouldn't have created Wisher had I not been diagnosed with Crohn's," she reflects. Her work supporting the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation further demonstrates her commitment to the IBD community that sparked her entrepreneurial journey.

Whether you're navigating dietary restrictions, seeking inspiration for managing chronic illness, or simply appreciate the story behind your spirits, Kimberly's journey reminds us that sometimes our greatest struggles lead to our most meaningful creations.

Links:

• Sip with Confidence! - Wisher Vodka's website
• Cocktail recipes

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