What I believed would be the greatest day of my life welcoming my child into the world, took a devastating turn. Birthing complications led to a 9-unit blood transfusion, an emergency C-section, surgery for a hemorrhaging uterine fibroid, and a week of intubation in the ICU at Northwestern Hospital.
During that week, I was on a heavy regimen of antibiotics to manage pain and prevent infection. When I was finally extubated, reunited with my baby and family and sent home, I believed the worst was behind me.

A few weeks later, I was wrong.

I began experiencing abnormal bowel movements, frequent diarrhea with an unusual odor, and bowel incontinence where I wasn’t even aware of. As a relatively healthy woman in my early 40s, this was alarming and humiliating. I saw a Gastroenterologist immediately, had my stool tested, and received my diagnosis, I had Clostridioides difficile also known as C. diff.

If you’re reading this, you already know that diagnosis sends you into a spiral. The online search results alone are terrifying.

My doctor prescribed Vancomycin, and symptoms slowed, a glimpse of hope until two weeks later, the cramping and diarrhea returned. With no dietary guidance from my care team, I panicked and did what most of us do: I researched everything, reaching out to infectious disease doctors, bloggers, and organizations, desperate to connect with anyone who had survived this infection.

But this time, I came back to my doctor prepared.

Through an organization I found online, I learned I could be experiencing a flare-up rather than a full recurrence, and that specific testing could tell the difference. I requested a NAAT/PCR test and a Toxin Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) tests that detect the actual toxins (A and B) to determine whether the bacteria is simply present or actively colonizing the gut. My doctor pushed back and declined additional testing, recommending another round of antibiotics instead.

That’s when my intuition and self-advocacy kicked into high gear.

I began tracking my symptoms, specifically the frequency of loose stools (3 or more per day is a key infection indicator) and noticed things were improving. Trusting my body and my research, I made the difficult decision to forgo the additional antibiotics. With dietary changes and adding a probiotic, the infection eventually subsided.

I recognize that path isn’t right for everyone. But I tapped into my own superpower, my inner voice and it guided me through.

I prayed to be here for my child, and I am. I share this story to offer what I desperately needed during my darkest moments: hope. There are resources, compassionate doctors, and people who genuinely want to help you find your way through this.