Maggie’s Story

I love Arnold Palmers. Always have; always will. When I had my first of four surgeries at sixteen, the first thing I asked from my medical team was an Arnold Palmer.

To rewind, I’m Maggie Schaefer, and I have ulcerative colitis. I was diagnosed during the height of COVID, so I ignored many alarming symptoms such as bloody stools and excessive stomach pain to avoid having to see a doctor. Eventually, my bathroom trip length and frequency increased to a concerning amount. After my first colonoscopy, it was confirmed I had ulcerative colitis. My infusions failed, and my family and I opted for a total colectomy, where I had an ileostomy bag placed. After that surgery, my dad went to a nearby gas station to purchase every variety of Arnold Palmer the store offered. I was content for about a year with my stoma and unlimited ounces of Arnold Palmer.

I opted to begin my j-pouch reconstruction surgery when I was eighteen, which included two more surgeries. During this time, I became more involved with the Foundation. I attended my first Take Steps in Lincoln instead of my senior year homecoming game! Seeing the sign “surgery is not a cure” empowered me as someone who had surgery.

As I transitioned into college at Creighton, where I am studying chemistry with plans to become a gastroenterologist, I didn’t meet anyone like me. I leaned on the Foundation to meet others with IBD, and I attended Camp Oasis as a counselor last summer after recovering from a fourth surgery to fix a bowel blockage and hernia.

After seeing the impact the Foundation had on those with IBD, I was inspired to start my own club on Creighton’s campus to advocate, volunteer, and fundraise for the Foundation. My club, Gut Feelings, holds monthly meetings where we discuss all things IBD. We also volunteered at the Night of Champions in Omaha last winter. This semester, we have big plans to launch our first fundraising campaign. And, of course, I still drink my Arnold Palmers (but now, I make them at the dining hall myself.)

The Foundation has connected me with other people who experienced similar difficulties. In this terrifying and unpredictably world of IBD, all we have are the connections we make. As I further my education, I will continue my involvement with the Foundation and my devotion to drinking Arnold Palmers.