Colitiscope Blog & News

The latest news on Colitiscope happenings, and bloggable insights from the author.

---

Colitiscope is on Facebook and Twitter!

---

Colitiscope Author Joins Healthline.com

February 4, 2011



Colitiscope author, Andrew Tubesing has joined the health expert panel at Healthline.com. The new twice-weekly column, Crohn's & Colitis Corner, will feature Andrew's insight on the topic of life with chronic digestive illness. His frank and humorous style will continue to engage audiences interested in learning the fun way about Crohn's disease & ulcerative colitis. Have a look!

---

Biffy in a Jiffy

December 21, 2010



Another essential IBD resource discovered! The Biffy Bag. A disposable emergency restroom in a bag. Portable peace of mind. On a recent tour of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, I noticed that the rangers carried these because it's usually a very long way to the restroom and the cavern is not a good place to improvise a nature-style restroom... but thankfully there is plenty of darkness (privacy!), so if you have a Biffy Bag, you're in luck! :-) This is a no-brainer for every IBD patient's emergency kit!

Thanks to Jim Frie for the tip on this product. Jim is an IBD patient and former police officer. He is also author of a detective crime thriller, The Scarce Man. Support an IBD patient and pick up a copy today!

---

Back to Capitol Hill

May 20, 2010

This year's IBD Day on the Hill was another busy whirlwind, meeting with representatives and senators from Arizona, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania to urge co-sponsorship of the IBD Research and Awareness Act. This year we added the special component of starting the event on World IBD Day. At the opening reception we heard from Illinois representative Jesse Jackson Jr. who co-introduced HR2275 in the house with Rep. Ander Crenshaw, (FL) who spoke at this engagement last year. The next day Jesse Jackson Jr. recognized us from his Toyota Prius while we were crossing the street. He honked at us, then waved and yelled out the window, "IBD Day!"



The evening session concluded with a talk by Alexander Noyes, a Crohn's patient, better known as the drummer for pop music acts Honor Society and the Jonas Brothers. He talked about the stresses of balancing illness with life on tour and facing the tough decision to leave the rock and roll lifestyle for some time to heal, then re-emerging with a new band. He even brought his mother along. :-)



The day spent on the hill included visits with Pennsylvania Senator Robert Casey who became a co-sponsor of S-981 a short time later, and Representative Paul Kanjorski, also of Pennsylvania. We also visited with staffers in several other congressional offices, including Martin Heinrich, Jeff Bingaman, and Tom Udall of New Mexico, and Joh Kyl and John McCain of Arizona. While walking between meetings in the Hart Senate Building, I also ran into the president of the university where I work. I had no idea he would be there.




In all more than one hundred IBD patients, family members, and advocates participated in IBD Day on the Hill 2010. Quite a number of co-sponsorships resulted from our efforts, and hopefully that will lead to passage of this important legislation. One small bonus... copies of Colitiscope are now in the hands of nine more of our representatives in Washington. The message is getting out there!

For more information and to see how you can help, please visit the CCFA's advocacy page.

---

Colitiscope Interview on Chalk Talk

April 9, 2010



Colitiscope author recently spoke with Andres T, host of Chalk Talk on Albuquerque's 101.7 The Team. Gearing up for the first ever Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis walk in Albuquerque, Andrew Tubesing talks about Crohn's, colitis, IBD, the CCFA, Take Steps, and of course, Colitiscope. The interview is in two parts, 18 minutes total.

---

IBD Advocacy Continues

February 20, 2010



Advocacy efforts continue toward recruiting co-sponsors for the IBD Research and Awareness Act in the House (H.R.2275) and Senate (S.981). I met New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman today and pleaded our case to him. I had a little warning so I was able to put together an advocacy packet to give him (along with a copy of Colitiscope of course). He was attentive and seemed willing to have a look at the materials. He co-sponsored a similar bill in the past and is on the Senate HELP committee (Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions). His suppoort as a co-sponsor of this current legislation would be a great help. Let's hope he comes through for us!

---

Red Balloon, a song of hope for IBD patients

October 24, 2009



A touching music video for Crohn's & colitis awareness by a talented young patient, Lauren Bruno. Features Mike McCready on guitar (of Pearl Jam, a Crohn's patient himself). It's a beautiful song, and the accompanying video is charming. Also available here. Click here for more info about Lauren's work to raise awareness for IBD.

Thank you Lauren. You've made a beautiful contribution to help those with IBD not feel so alone. And you've made me weep. Your efforts are a big help in patient support and the search for a cure.

---

The Luggable Loo

September 26, 2009



I encountered an odd, yet useful-looking product in the outdoors store today. The Luggable Loo. This is a toilet seat/cover unit that snaps on top of a standard 5-gallon pail (included) to make a poor-man's porta-potty. They also sell it without the bucket if you have your own already. I've actually used a bare 5-gal bucket before but this product seems to upgrade that improvised solution to a much more pre-meditated version. This looks great for camping, hunting, fishing, boating, or even road trips.

It looks like it would work pretty well, and appears to be reasonably comfy too—comfier than a plain bucket anyway. I think I'd recommend their ziplock liner, which they call the Double Doodie Bag, available with or without odor-control waste-solidifying Bio Gel. The manufacturer also offers a number of other handy-looking products for the toilet-intensive traveler. Check it out for yourself: Reliance Products

Updated 2/21/10
I just learned today that my sister-in-law is the proud owner of a luggable loo. If you have read Colitiscope you'll surely remember her from the 'Outhouse' chapter... she's the infamous keeper of the Fairbanks Stalagshite. Here's her astute review:

If you need a testimonial to the 'Luggable Loo' I happen to have one at my cabin in Girdwood... it can be a bit tippy, and a little awkward carrying around a bag of your own shit—but probably not as awkward as the alternative.

Well put! Thanks.

---

Off to Camp

July 29, 2009

As I prepare to go to CCFA Camp Oasis next week, I am reflecting for a moment to thank the countless donors out there for the generous support they've provided to the CCFA by sponsoring Take Steps walks and making other contributions.

I thought you might like to learn more about this camp as an example of the many ways in which CCFA contributions are used to improve the lives of Crohn's and colitis patients. Click here and be sure to watch the video there if you have a few minutes.

Camp Oasis is a place for young IBD patients to spend a week with others just like them and enjoy the summer camp experience in ways they otherwise couldn't. I will be a camp counselor for the week, which I haven't done before (wasn't I supposed to do this in my 20's?), so it will be a growth experience for me too! :-)

Camp Oasis is offered free of charge to kids with Crohn's and colitis, which ensures it's available to all, regardless of ability to pay. It's an incredible opportunity to be able to offer these kids, and without supporters like you we wouldn't be able to do it. Thanks for your support! And if you're inspired to help further, please scroll down this page, find my Take Steps donation post (under the colon-mock-scopy team photo), and follow the instructions to make a contribution.

I hope you enjoy this peek at the fruits of your generosity.

---

Fleur de Pants

July 13, 2009



I've been watching what I can of the Tour de France. Not having cable I have to impose on someone to see it, so it's been in limited quantity. But it gives me such a giggle every time, sort of like a teenager in health class, when they show or mention the name of one of the teams. The one with that funny name. Come on, you know the one I mean... Team Liquigas. Or, as those brits pronounce it, "Leakygas." Either way you say it (though one sounds a little messier than the other), it has added meaning for those of us with digestive ailments of a certain sort. You know what I mean, the ones that result in the occasional fleur de pants. :-)

---

Cup-O-Joy

July 12, 2009



I was perusing an antique shop last week in Baraboo Wisconsin and couldn't help but snatch up this little bit of apropos history. It's a small 3-oz graduated measuring glass, advertising Fleet phospho-soda—a laxative prescribed by many gastroenterologists for colonoscopy preparation. It's a product that many IBD patients are all-too familiar with! :-)

If you haven't read Colitiscope yet, you're missing out on a very entertaining description of the 'preparation' process. It's a chapter entitled Diagnosed / Be Prepared. Fleet Phospho is featured in full glory on page 16..

---

Airport Restrooms

May 20, 2009





I can't be the only one who experiences this frustration in an airport restroom right? And why exactly can't the doors open outward? For more on this topic, open Colitiscope to page 154. It's number one of Ten Universal Bathroom Truths.

---

Colitiscope author on Capitol Hill

May 7, 2009



Today was one of the busier days of my life... On behalf of the CCFA (Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America) I spent the whole day running between the House and Senate office buildings in Washington DC, meeting with congressional offices on the topic of House Resolution 2275 and Senate Resolution 981. Referred to collectively as the IBD Research and Awareness Act, both are new legislation efforts introduced this week that stand to make a difference in the battle against digestive diseases.

Last night I met Florida Senator Ander Crenshaw whose daughter has Crohn's Disease, Ohio Congressman and former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich who has Crohn's, and CBS news anchor Bob Schieffer who has ulcerative colitis.



Today I met with Minnesota Senator Amy Kloubuchar, Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill and New Mexico Congressman Martin Heinrich. I also met with aides in the offices of Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar, California Senator Barbara Boxer, New Mexico Senators Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman, Missouri Congressman Todd Akin, and California Congressman Elton Gallegly.



It was quite a day of sharing stories and advocating for support of this legislation. Of course an autographed copy of Colitiscope was provided to each office we visited! Most everyone we talked with was attentive and responsive. Others from our group visited congressional offices as well... every state was represented today, so we are hopeful that this legislation will receive the support it needs to be successful.

For more information and to see how you can help, please visit the CCFA's advocacy page.

---

Colitiscope Team Raising Funds to cure IBD

March 20, 2009



I am writing to ask your help to cure Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. As we did last year, Myself and some friends & family will be participating in the Take Steps walk in Phoenix on April 18th. It is put on by the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, and I was the MC for this event last year. There were 1400 participants and we raised more than a quarter million dollars. Our walk team participated in the same event in Tucson and were the top team, raising nearly $25,000. We dressed as a colonoscopy team, complete with colon-mock-scopy camera. Thank you to those of you who made a contribution last year!

So, here's an opportunity to help, whether it's your first time or if you've supported us before. We realize these are tough economic times for some, but I assure you that any contribution will help, no matter how large or small. For non-profits, the CCFA has a very low administrative margin, which means that more than 83% of your contribution will go directly to the work being done.

This is of great importance to me personally. I was diagnosed with Crohn's/colitis in 2002 and have gotten involved with the CCFA as a board member and support group leader. I can personally attest that the funds the CCFA collects are used for incredible things. Patient support initiatives like educational programs and support groups make a big difference in patients' lives. The CCFA's research funding contributes to projects that are truly making incredible progress. In the past year they've discovered genetic connections that allow for a whole new league of benefits for patients, including better prediction of medication responses, development of new therapies, and ultimately a cure we hope.

We'll be honoring my new book by walking under the team name Colitiscope. Please use the links below to learn more and to make a contribution. If you're inclined to join us in Phoenix, please email me and we'll get you on board!

With appreciation,
-Andy-

Click here for a Take Steps video that shows what it's all about (it will open in a media player, you may have to click the play button to start the video).

Click here to visit our team page (then click on the participant name under "join team" to make a contribution).

Click here to donate to our participant page.

Or if those links are problematic for whatever reason, visit www.cctakesteps.org and "find your local walk". Search for the Phoenix AZ walk on April 18, then "donate to a walker". You can search for either of our names, or our team name Colitiscope..

Thank you!

---

Colitiscope Author Heading to Washington

March 19, 2009

In May 2009, Colitiscope author Andrew Tubesing will travel to washington to join others for CCFA Day on the Hill. They will meet with senators and congressmen to urge support of initiatives that benefit patients of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other digestive conditions. Stay tuned for more details!

---

Colitiscope Author Testifies as Expert Witness

Februrary 10, 2009

On Feb 10, 2009, the New Mexico House of Representatives Business & Industry Committee heard testimony related to House Bill 168, the Restroom Access Act. The bill was introduced by Representative Thomas Anderson, and Colitiscope author Andrew Tubesing appeared as an expert witness in defense of the bill.

HB168 is legislation that proposes to offer accommodations to people with digestive disabilities that require immediate restroom access. The bill would require qualifying businesses that do not have public restrooms to allow qualifying customers to use their private/employee restroom in the case of urgent need. This is a matter of removing barriers for disabled persons who meet the criteria for digestive disability. These are sufferers of both permanent and temporary digestive conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, users of ostomy devices, and others.

The bill was tabled by the committee with requests to alter a number of provisions. Resentative Anderson and others will continue to work toward passing this important legislation. As plans develop, please stay tuned for instructions on how to offer your support.

For official details of the bill, please visit the NM Legislature's HB168 page.