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Chronically Cassie

@itschronicallycassie

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1891

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Professional Yapper
👋🏻Patient Advocate
DMV Board of Directors @crohnscolitisfoundation
crohn’s / endo & adenomyosis / ivf mom / infertility / loss

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HI 👋🏻 I’m Cassie (Cass). In 2018 I very seldomly started sharing updates about my health through a private blog & occasional Facebook & Instagram posts under the name I used for all of my charity work, Cassie’s Crohnies. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2012, dropped out of college (placed on medical leave), took years to get better, and had many ups and downs, surgeries, and complications along the way. In 2019, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis and learned that the chances of carrying biological children were slim to none without IVF (for many reasons). In 2019, after being diagnosed with OHSS, dealt with a canceled fresh embryo transfer, and an ectopic pregnancy with tubal rupture, we had our first pregnancy loss. In 2020 we were blessed with our first rainbow baby, a girl! She was perfectly healthy but I ended up in emergency surgery yet again after placenta acreeta, a D&C, & a severe perforation in my upper uterus that led to my first code. In 2021, we had a failed transfer and yet another emergency surgery. In 2022, we were blessed with our son and another case of placenta acreeta, D&C, and ALMOST an emergency hysterectomy which thankfully was able to be delayed due to my incredible team & cauterizing my uterine wall, allowing me for one more [very slim] chance at growing our family once more. In June 2024 we got the news that shattered us to our core, with a full hysterectomy and Endometriosis removal surgery & ablation following in August 2024. It’s been 20 days since I had the biggest surgeries of my life, and I’ve finally decided to be as open and transparent as I’m mentally able to. The love and support I’ve received from friends, family, and strangers has blown me away and I have already “met” so many people who have struggled both physically and mentally with what I’ve gone through. I’ve decided to say goodbye to Cassie’s Crohnies and shift my focus away from just Crohn’s Disease and into the overarching advocacy of being a chronic patient in general. Say hello to Chronically Cassie. I’m glad you’re here. 🤍

#chronicillness #crohnsdisease #endo #infertility #ivf #ivfmom #hysterectomy #postop #invisibleillness #adenomyosis by @itschronicallycassie

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2 years ago

Just a girl tryna’ make it through life ok!! ✌️

#crohnsdisease #invisibleillness #advocate by @itschronicallycassie

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4 months ago

Big news & a full-circle moment! ✨

For the last 10 years, my life has been filled with more medical challenges, surgeries, flares, and emergencies than I can count. Even before Chesapeake Express IV Wellness & Aesthetics had its Annapolis location, I was a client—often calling our owner Julie when I was in the middle of a Crohn’s flare and desperately needed a gut IV, or before and after another surgery or round of IVF to help me recover.

What started as being a patient in need of support became something so much bigger. As the company grew, I transitioned from client to employee, and today, I am incredibly honored to step into the role of Director of PR, Marketing, & Client Relations.

It’s hard to put into words how grateful I am. This company has been part of my healing journey, and now I get to help lead and grow something that has meant so much to me personally, and I’m beyond grateful! 🥹🫶🏻

#chesapeakeexpressiv #annapolis #fullcircle taken in Chesapeake Express IV Wellness & Aesthetics by @itschronicallycassie

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5 months ago

✨ Vulnerability Post ✨

I may have puked my guts out not once but twice, but for the first time in a long time, I was able to get through a workout! Something I don’t talk openly about often is how incredible difficult maintaining my endurance & weight is. I have a love/ hate relationship with solid food and that doesn’t help me when trying to get back my strength. But we’re working through it and despite having an invisible illness that quite literally knocks me on my ass some days, I know I’ll never let it set me back to prevent me from doing what I want. Proud of myself for making it through (barely lmao) one of Michelle’s Beat Boxing Fitness classes again! 💪🏻

Ps - shoutout to my girl Brittany for the perfect song to go with this post 👑 taken in Pasadena, Maryland by @itschronicallycassie

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5 months ago

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6 months ago

We baaaack! 🥲 Four long & stressful appeals against insurance later, and my little tummy robot is back in action after FINALLY winning and gaining approval for treatment every 7 weeks. As long as my body can chill tf out and doesn’t begin to develop antibodies again, this could truly be life-changing for me.

It was an extra special day today because my husband and I closed on our forever home this morning, and by the time we got back to our current house, Skyrizi was waiting on the porch after a rush delivery from specialty care. Today was a good day. 🫶🏻 by @itschronicallycassie

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8 months ago

Part 2 🫶🏻

Sharing another moment from my most recent patient impact speech at Tampa’s Toast for a Cure Gala with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Speaking in a room filled with people who truly understand this journey was incredibly meaningful. Sharing my story and my “why” alongside so many fighters, advocates, and believers in a cure was an honor I’ll never forget. And if you listen till the end and know me personally, you won’t even be the slightest bit surprised about my “medicine” of choice… 😜

#crohnsdisease #invisibleillness #advocate taken in Tampa Florida by @itschronicallycassie

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8 months ago

✨ I’m literally just a girl ✨

#delulu #sweetbutpsycho by @itschronicallycassie

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9 months ago

My Boss: “Cass, can you take a look at the new jackets we ordered for the staff and tell me what you think?”

Me: “Bet.” 🤪

#chesapeakeexpressiv #annapolis #funjob #socialmediamanagement taken in Chesapeake Express IV Wellness & Aesthetics by @itschronicallycassie

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9 months ago

After yet ANOTHER 4 weeks of back-and-forth with insurance and CVS Specialty (not their fault), I ended up a full week late on my biologic. 😩 And if you’ve ever lived with Crohn’s disease that isn’t in remission, you know your body doesn’t politely (or respectfully) warn you — it shuts down hard & fast once that medication starts leaving your system and takes you out.

I lost the ability to keep food down again. The joint pain and inflammation became hard to ignore and sleep disappeared once again too. The intestinal spasms hit me so hard. It’s terrifying how quickly things go south, especially when you’re stuck waiting on approvals you have no control over while trying to maintain your normal happy & positive persona for your young kiddos who are getting to the age where they start noticing differences in their Mommy.

The insurance issue still isn’t resolved. 🤡 BUT my absolute saint of a PA refused to let me fall through the cracks. She worked magic through the Skyrizi black market (jk 🤫) and found an emergency dose, from an incredible Skyrizi rep who literally drove it to the office to meet the kids & I there to snag it!

Living with chronic illness means constantly fighting battles when your body is already running on empty. I’m beyond grateful for medical professionals who go above and beyond and refuse to leave patients alone in these moments. So thankful for my incredible care team!

Next up, attaching my lil’ stabby robot and letting it work its magic and hoping I’ll be feeling back to normal by Christmas morning! Then, I’ll be a normal functioning member of society for the next 6 weeks! 🤟🏻

#crohnsdisease #invisibleillnesses #ibd #autoimmune by @itschronicallycassie

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10 months ago

Part 1 🫶🏻

Here is a piece of my most recent patient impact speech! I had the incredible honor of speaking in front of hundreds of people at Tampa’s Toast for a Cure Gala for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

Standing in a room filled with so many strong and passionate individuals—people who truly get it—was overwhelming in the best way. To share my story, my journey, and my “why” with others who are fighting, supporting, advocating, and believing in a cure felt deeply personal and meaningful.

I am beyond grateful, humbled, and blessed for the opportunity to use my voice and be part of something so much bigger than myself. Thank you to everyone who listened, supported, and continues to support a cause greater than themselves. 🤍

#invisibleillness #patient #crohnsdisease #ibd taken in Tampa, Florida by @itschronicallycassie

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10 months ago

But actually….. 🤪 by @itschronicallycassie

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10 months ago