Six Months Later: A Personal Update and a Return to Writing

Hey everyone,

It’s been a while—six months, to be exact—since I last posted here. I didn’t plan to go silent for so long, but life had other plans. I want to share what’s been going on, not just to explain the absence, but to reconnect with you all in a more honest and personal way.

The Health Journey

Over the past several months, I’ve been navigating some major changes in my health care. One of the biggest challenges was trying to get approved for a new medication—Skyrizi. What should have been a straightforward process turned into a months-long battle with insurance companies and pharmacies. I contacted countless places, only to find out that while many administer Skyrizi, none of them would accept Medicaid.

Eventually, I returned to Gundersen, hoping their higher approval rate with Skyrizi would help. But if you’ve followed my blog for a while, you know my history with Gundersen hasn’t been the most positive. Unfortunately, that didn’t change. The approval process dragged on, and I felt uncomfortable with the doctor I was assigned. So, I made the decision to return to the Mayo Clinic and continue care with my regular GI doctor—someone I trust.

After retesting my stool protein levels, we found they had dropped significantly. Because of that, my Mayo doctor decided to hold off on Skyrizi for now and continue monitoring. In the meantime, I’ve been on Humira every 7 days and increased my Azathioprine dosage to 100mg daily.

Life Beyond the Clinic

While managing my health has been a full-time job in itself, I’ve also been working on rebuilding parts of my life that bring me joy and purpose.

After a five-year break, I’ve rejoined the world of power soccer as a member of the Wisconsin Whitetails Power Soccer Club. We practice most Saturdays from October through early June, and I’m currently enrolled in a summer skill-building program to get back into shape. It’s been both challenging and incredibly rewarding to return to a sport I love.

On top of that, I recently started a second job as a Peer Mentor at Aptiv, an organization that supports individuals with disabilities across Wisconsin. It’s meaningful work, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Looking Ahead

Now that my Crohn’s is more stable and I’m reengaging with social activities, I’m hopeful that my mental health will continue to improve—and with it, my creativity. Writing has always been a way for me to process, reflect, and connect. I’ve missed it. I’ve missed you.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and for sticking with me through the quiet. I’m back, and I’m excited to share more—more stories, more insights, and more of the journey.

If you’ve ever had to hit pause on something you love because life got in the way, I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

Until next time,


Ashley