Brighter Future Days
We
are coming to the end of ‘Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week’, which has taken
place between Tuesday 1st and Monday 7th December 2015.
As I sit in my bedroom typing away on a laptop with a bad stomach ache I wanted
to take this opportunity to reflect.
Some
of the memories with Crohn’s Disease which will stay with me include the
following:-
›
From
age nine to thirteen ‘Doctor One’ branded my symptoms of Crohn’s Disease,
including that of abdominal pain, diarrhoea and stunted growth, as ‘imaginary’ and a product of an
over-anxious mother. He was wrong though, my mother is not over-anxious she is
brilliant. She fought for a second opinion where I was diagnosed with Crohn’s
Disease.
For further details on this memory
please do have a read of the article called ‘More Than Just ‘Imaginary’’.
›
After
a number of tests including a colonoscopy and endoscopy I was diagnosed with
Crohn’s Disease at the age of thirteen in November 2007. Unfortunately the way ‘Doctor
Two’ delivered his diagnosis was unfortunately rather inappropriate.
Have a read of the articles ‘Next Stop:
Colonoscopies and Endoscopies’ and ‘A Six Letter Diagnosis’ if you wish.
›
Many
with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis know that we are put on an
assortment of medicine to help control our condition. Some of which I have been
given include Pentasa, Prednisolone and Azathioprine. However the one which
many will remember is that wonderful taste of laxative.
›
Post-diagnosis
I went on the ‘Modulen Liquid Diet’ for nine weeks hoping to settle my stomach.
This is a challenging task as food is a big part of our lives, but it is additionally
tricky over the Christmas period.
›
On
the 22nd July 2010 I had surgery to remove the inflamed section of
my small intestine.
›
Over
the number of years with Crohn’s Disease I, like others, have experienced a
number of flare-ups. One of which I was taken to hospital in an ambulance in
the middle of the night. One of the most difficult however was in October 2013,
which involved bleeding. I was admitted into hospital for nearly a week, but
this led me to defer my second year at the University of Hertfordshire. I am in
my final year now so I got there in the end.
Whilst
some of the experiences of my Crohn’s Disease have been emotional I believe
they have made me a stronger person. What I have come to realise though is that
I would not have gotten through any of this without the incredible support of
my family, friends and the community. I truly admire the determination of those
with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but I also appreciate those who care about us,
those we can reply on.
I
came across this quote by Stephen R. Covey on the internet the other day:
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I
have been lucky that over the years I have met so many who listen with the
intent to understand. I hope with this incredible support we can all have
brighter future days. Stay strong everyone.
