Overcoming the Odds: My Journey with IBD, Typhoid Fever, and C. Diff
Introduction:
In 2019, I was in a battle for my health. Struggling with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), I had reached a point where my life felt like it was defined by pain, discomfort, and fear. But I didn’t give up. I learned everything I could about my condition, started healing my gut, and over time, I regained my health—without medication and without symptoms. For four incredible years, I lived symptom-free, thriving without the constant reminder of IBD.
Then came September 2023. I contracted Typhoid Fever and C. diff, and it felt like the whole world came crashing down. The progress I had worked so hard to achieve seemed lost, and I was thrown back into the same struggle I’d fought years earlier. But I didn’t panic. I knew what I had to do. The healing methods that had worked before would work again—and they did. Here’s how I applied what I knew best to get back to the same place I was before.
The Road to Healing:
Looking back on my journey with IBD, it’s almost hard to believe how far I’ve come. When I was first diagnosed, I felt like my health was spiralling out of control. I spent years dealing with flare-ups, medication side effects, and a never-ending cycle of doctor visits. But when I made the decision to stop relying on medications and focus on healing my gut, everything started to change.
The healing journey wasn’t easy, but it was simple: I tackled it in three phases.
Nutrition: I focused on nourishing my gut, prioritizing foods that supported healing—anti-inflammatory, gut-friendly choices like bone broth, fermented foods, and healthy fats.
Mindset & Stress Management: I knew that stress was a huge factor in gut health. By practicing awareness, setting intentions, and taking actionable steps to reduce stress, I created a calm environment for healing.
Lifestyle Modifications: Sleep hygiene, hydration, and exercise became key players in my recovery. These simple habits kept me grounded and my body functioning optimally.
Over time, I found relief. I went from relying on medication to living without symptoms. My gut felt stronger than ever, and I could finally enjoy life without being held back by my health.
The Setback:
Then, in September 2023, everything changed. After contracting Typhoid Fever and C. diff, my symptoms came flooding back. The gut pain, bloating, and discomfort returned with a vengeance, and it felt like I was back at square one. It was heartbreaking—especially after experiencing four years of freedom.
But this time, something was different. Yes, I was frustrated. Yes, I was scared. But I also knew this wasn’t the end. I had been through worse and come out stronger before. I knew I had the tools to heal again. The knowledge and habits I had built during my previous recovery were still there, waiting for me to put them to use.
Taken during my hospitalisation with C. diff, when I was on IV antibiotics and struggling with my health.
Applying What I Knew:
Rather than panicking or feeling helpless, I immediately leaned into the principles that had worked for me the first time. I knew that I couldn’t just wait for the illness to “pass” on its own—I had to take active steps to heal my gut. So, I applied my three-phase approach once again:
Nutrition: I began with the basics—restoring balance to my gut with easy-to-digest, nutrient-dense foods. Bone broth, digestive enzymes, and anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric and ginger became staples once again. I kept my diet simple and healing-focused.
Mindset & Stress Management: This was perhaps the most critical aspect of my recovery. I was very aware of the emotional toll this setback was taking on me. To manage the stress, I practised daily mindfulness and deep-breathing exercises. I took time to sit with my emotions, without letting fear dictate my decisions. I reminded myself that this was temporary, and I was in control of how I responded.
Lifestyle Modifications: Even when I felt drained, I stuck to my hydration routine and made sure to prioritize sleep. I couldn’t overexert myself, but I moved my body with gentle stretches and walks. It was essential to support my body in every way possible, even when I didn’t feel like it.
By staying consistent with these practices, I started to feel better within weeks. Gradually, the gut pain diminished, bloating decreased, and my energy started to return. It wasn’t an instant fix, but every small improvement brought me closer to where I wanted to be.
The Return to Health:
As I continued applying my approach, I felt my health improve daily. By the end of the year, I was back to where I was before—living symptom-free and medication-free. The strength of the practices I had put in place during my first recovery played a huge part in this return to health. The consistency, the commitment, and the knowledge I had gained all worked together to bring me back.
It wasn’t just about “fixing” what had gone wrong—it was about trusting the process that had already worked once and allowing it to work again. The key was staying grounded and consistent, even when my body seemed to be resisting the healing process.
Key Lessons Learned:
This experience taught me a lot. First and foremost, I was reminded that healing isn’t linear. Setbacks are just part of the journey. But the tools we have at our disposal—if we know how to use them—are powerful.
Some key lessons I took away from this:
Consistency is key. No matter how bad things get, sticking to the practices that worked for me the first time around made all the difference.
Mindset matters. Managing stress and maintaining a positive outlook is essential when healing. The power of the mind is real.
Setbacks don’t define us. They’re just moments in time. We have the power to overcome them, just as we’ve overcome challenges before.
If you’re struggling with gut health, please know that you’re not alone. Healing is possible, even after a setback. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Conclusion:
The journey of healing is rarely a straight line. But it’s always worth it. After everything I’ve been through, I know that it’s possible to heal from IBD, to live without medication and symptoms, and to bounce back from setbacks—even the tough ones.
If you’re dealing with a health setback, I hope my story inspires you to take charge of your healing. Use the tools you have, trust the process, and know that you have the strength to overcome anything.
Have you faced a setback in your own health journey?
I’d love to hear about it. Share your experience, and let’s continue the conversation about healing.