Those who follow me on Instagram, know that I document most of my travels there. The bright pictures, the sunshine, the smiles... travelling can be one of the most exciting experiences.

Travelling with Crohn's or Colitis also means having plan A, B & C. It can mean doing one activity and needing to go back to your hotel room to rest. It can mean saying no to visiting a monument because you know there's no toilet facilities near. It can mean missing out on staple foods of the country you're in.

May 2019: What a rush

This was my first prednisone free holiday after four rounds of steroids. After an incredible yet exhausting day of seeing Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and a safari around Custer State Park, I wanted to end the day on a high. My evening was spent in an amazing restaurant tasting bison meat for the first time and having 3 whiskies. Fast forward a few hours later I spent hours throwing up, even water wouldn't stay down, my body wasn't completely healed.

September 2018: California dreaming

I was in Yosemite National Park, California. Surrounded by gorgeous scenery, I was able to witness some truly stunning places like Half Dome and El Portal. But it wasn't without difficulty. I was on a high dosage of steroids and three months into what ended up being a year long flare.

Whilst hiking through Yosemite my heart starting palpitating, my breath became short and I was dizzy. My stomach was so swollen and the urgency for the toilet was all I could think of. That evening I missed out on s'mores around the fire and stargazing, instead I was on the toilet most of the night and my evening meal was complan.

December 2017: In a New York minute

I was welcoming in the new year in the city that never sleeps! It sounds exciting and unique... It was. But my suppressed immune system meant that I was hit with the flu. I spent many of my days in the hotel room with nose bleeds, my whole body being achy and feeling constantly cold.

October 2017: Smooth sailing

The SPF 50 was on and I had the most incredible experience exploring Malaysia on a cruise. However, I took a dip in the ocean and I neglected the fact that being on Azathioprine makes your skin more sensitive to the sun. That evening I was throwing up and didn't eat any food, I spent the next two days covered in Aloe Vera and sleeping.

It's the journey, not the destination

There have been times that I've had the most amazing trips planned and counted down the days to departure, only to have to cancel because of my Colitis.

Crohn's and Colitis aren't just "poo diseases, they are diseases that affect your joints, your mouths, your eyes, your mind. Fatigue alone is a difficult battle even in remission and the medication comes with its own side effects to deal with.

Writing this article, I had to really think back on the times that Colitis affected my travels because looking back it's not the first thing that I remember. I remember the sights I saw, the experiences I encountered and the amazing memories I've made.

The battles I've had to get me at a point to travel are more of an afterthought and something I look back on and feel proud that I was able to overcome and experience the world, regardless of Colitis.

Precautions are needed, planning is important and sometimes things go wrong. Having the knowledge to understand your condition will help you see more of the world.

The world is ours to see, so don't let Crohn's and Colitis get in the way.