Finding Relief – My Ongoing Journey with Digestive Health and Healing

I’m sharing my personal story about living with ongoing gut issues — not because it’s glamorous, but because it’s real. These topics can feel taboo or even embarrassing to discuss, but they shouldn’t be. I want to help replace shame with awareness and honesty. It’s estimated that 5–10% of the population lives with IBS (Mayo Clinic). You’re definitely not alone. 

Back in early fall, I thought I was finally turning a corner with my digestive health. After months of following a low-FODMAP diet and carefully reintroducing foods, I started to feel a little more like myself again. But by October, the familiar stomach aches and pelvic burning returned — and with them came continued weight loss, exhaustion, anxiety, and frustration.

I tried to stay optimistic, reminding myself that healing isn’t linear. Still, the symptoms were hard to ignore. My digestive system doesn’t work the way it should — my body struggles to fully empty waste, which slowly builds up over time. It’s something doctors classify as IBS-M, but living with it goes far beyond a label. It’s about finding ways to maintain normalcy when your body has its own unpredictable rhythm.

In mid-October, I was preparing to take a much-needed break with my husband — luggage packed, outfits chosen, and a smile that felt long overdue after a nonstop art show season. But the morning before our trip, I started feeling faint and unusually sick. Within hours, I was in the hospital undergoing a series of MRIs, CT scans, and blood tests instead of building the memories I had imagined.

The hospital visit was triggered by my rapid weight loss — nearly 30 pounds in six months — from barely being able to tolerate food. Days later, my doctor gently confirmed what the scans revealed: my system was completely backed up again. The blockage was the root of my severe stomach pain and weight loss. The plan was to medically induce a cleanse (which was “so much fun,” let me tell you) and then begin a prescription medication to help my digestive system function more regularly. I’m still in that process and learning how my body responds, one step at a time. 

This journey has affected more than just my health — it’s touched every part of my daily life. I haven’t gone out to dinner in over five months, and social situations often feel out of reach. Even at art shows, I sometimes push through discomfort while doing my best to stay positive and professional. Behind every smile at my booth, there’s usually a quiet mental checklist of how I’m feeling, how much I can eat, and whether I can make it through the day without getting sick.

Living with chronic digestive issues means constantly balancing between rest and resilience. It’s not always easy, but I remind myself daily that my story isn’t just about struggle — it’s about perseverance, creativity, and continuing to move forward, even when my body tries to hold me back. 

This past week, I officially started the new medication. I expected it would take time to adjust — a waiting game to find the right balance between helping my system function and managing side effects. But to my surprise, I saw results almost immediately. Within 48 hours, my digestive system started working properly for the first time in months. The stomach and pelvic pain disappeared, and for the first time in a long while, food actually felt like fuel again. I was so thrilled and hopeful — a feeling that had been slipping away after trying so many different things without success.

My recovery couldn’t have come at a better time. I was gearing up for a three-day indoor art show and was nervous about how the new medication would affect me. Thankfully, it worked beautifully all weekend. I felt like my old self again — connecting with customers, laughing with fellow artists, and simply enjoying being there instead of worrying about my stomach. It felt like a small miracle. 

Another bonus: that same weekend, I was celebrating MONOLISA’s 8-Year Anniversary in business. Eight years of designing, soldering, and showing up — through creative highs, quiet moments of doubt, and everything in between. Reaching that milestone while finally feeling healthy again made the weekend even more meaningful. It was a reminder that both healing and building something lasting take time, patience, and a whole lot of perseverance.

For those who haven’t read the beginning of this journey, you can find my earlier post — When the Gut Takes Over: My Personal Journey with a Digestive Health Setback — where I first opened up about what led to this chapter of healing.

Every setback reminds me how deeply connected the body and mind are — especially as an artist. When I’m too weak to be in the studio, I channel that same creative energy into reflection and storytelling. Sharing my journey isn’t easy, but it helps me stay grounded and hopefully brings awareness to others living with invisible digestive conditions. Art has always been my outlet — a place where even pain can transform into something meaningful. Healing may be slow, but I’m still creating, still dreaming, and still showing up — one day, one piece, one breath at a time.