Let’s welcome this week’s warrior, Alice!
My name is Alice Ping and I am a born and raised Californian living in Los Angeles. I am a professional classical musician and have been freelancing in the LA area for the last 3 years.
I have both ulcerative colitis, a form of IBD, and undifferentiated connective tissue disease. The process of getting diagnosed for both of these diseases was spread out over several years and after several flare ups, but in 2019 I finally knew what I was up against and started treatment to manage them both.
I have altered my lifestyle completely since I was diagnosed. Fitness and diet have become a huge part of regulating my symptoms, as well as stress management, as stress seems to be my biggest trigger for flares. I’m still working on figuring out ways to keep my stress in check, though – it’s definitely a work in progress! In general, I’ve learned that I feel much better when I avoid gluten, corn, refined sugars, and alcohol, and moving my body every day helps me feel strong and in control of my body – something I don’t often feel with chronic illness!
This journey has taught me that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be. I have survived so much already, and know that though there will be more to come, I can handle it. I’ve found that sharing my journey with others online has been a great way for me to cope with these diagnoses; it’s given me a deeper purpose. The advice I would give to other spoonies like me would be to be patient. It takes a long time to get answers, and sometimes an even longer time to be treated properly. Healing is not linear, so don’t get discouraged by the ups and downs, and never forget that you are not alone!
Thank you so much for sharing your IBD journey with us Alice! Be sure to give her a follow on IG @alicepingviola