Sometimes the signs are quiet before they are loud.

Sometimes the story begins long before we know what we’re looking at.

In this episode of Holyoaks Rise: Stories of Rising Through the Unexpected, I share our daughter’s journey through pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease and liver disease— and how early urinary symptoms were actually the first clue.

We gently walk through:

*Early signs of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in children.

* Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (UC) considerations.

* Chronic Gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation.

* The “sensitive neighbor” bladder explanation.

* Abnormal liver labs and liver involvement.

* Autoimmune liver disease, including Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) and Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH)

*Parenting through chronic illness with steadiness and advocacy.

If you are navigating pediatric IBD, Crohn’s disease, liver disease, PSC, AIH, complex autoimmune conditions, or any chronic disease in your child— you are not alone here.

This is our “Tough Cookies” rise story— not rushed, not dramatic — just honest, steady and anchored in hope.

holyoaksrise@gmail.com

Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

I met “Busy Bee” as her nurse.

At the time, I didn’t know I was meeting my daughter.

In this episode of Holyoaks Rise: Stories of Rising Through the Unexpected, I share the story of how a hospital shift turned into something far bigger than medicine. We talk about foster care, the long road of “all the ologies” TM, the uncertainty, the paperwork, the prayers, and the quiet moments that change everything.

This isn’t just a story about adoption.

We talk about bringing a premature baby home, navigating foster care and adoption, searching for medical answers, and what it really feels like to stand on both sides of the hospital crib. This episode validates both my experiences as a NICU Nurse and my journey as a medical mom.

If you’re walking through the NICU, considering foster care or adoption, or learning how to parent a medically complex child the story is for you.

It’s a story about rising above diagnosis and uncertainty.

About how sometimes the hardest roads lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.

And how a busy little bee changed my life forever.

holyoaksrise@gmail.com

Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

In this first episode of Holyoaks Rise, I share how I went from being a NICU nurse to becoming a medical mom myself. From navigating my daughter’s NICU journey to facing an unexpected chronic GI diagnosis with my older child, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to stand on both sides of the hospital crib.

If you’re parenting a premature baby, managing pediatric chronic illness, or learning how to stay anchored through medical uncertainty, this podcast is for you. Here’s what you can expect from future episodes — practical guidance, real stories, and encouragement to help you feel calm, prepared, and empowered.

Because difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. And when we share our stories, we rise together

Warm Memories - Emotional Inspiring Piano by Keys of Moon | https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/