Episode 21: Veronica Blancato, Crohn’s and Extraintestinal Manifestations

Today’s guest is Veronica Blancato. With more than 15 years of fighting Crohn’s Disease, she shares her journey from diagnosis to remission, battling a variety of extra-intestinal manifestations along the way. She shares her experiences with surgery, arthritis, osteochondromas, pancreatitis, fatigue, and more.

Veronica’s symptoms began when she was 8 years old, but it wasn’t until she was 15 that she received an official diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease. Growing up with IBD, she faced discrimination from peers and the people around her, which resulted in lost friendships and eventually led her to stop talking about Crohn’s.

Throughout the years she tried numerous medications, had part of her intestines removed, and dealt with multiple obstructions. It wasn’t until 2015 that she achieved remission and described it as an intoxicating feeling to finally be well. She shares her many tips and tricks for dealing with symptoms and flares, how her diet evolved from white bread and pasta to nutritious whole foods and enjoying most foods in moderation, and how becoming part of the social media IBD community has both humbled her and made her more aware of the depth and breadth of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis.

She talks about the importance of having supportive people in your life when dealing with any chronic illness–especially an invisible one–and how her husband has been a strong and supportive partner. His positivity and desire to learn more and be involved in the management of her Crohn’s has helped to change her own mindset to a more positive one.

Despite the many challenges and complications that she has faced with Crohn’s Disease, she continues to learn from others, share her experiences, and–most of all–appreciate life.

Follow Veronica:
https://www.instagram.com/crohns_queen/