Brighter Future Days

Brighter Future Days

We are coming to the end of ‘Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week’, which has taken place between Tuesday 1^st and Monday 7^th 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 22^nd 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:

That's the deepest scar of all...Copyright © 2015- The Pedowitz Group LLC. All rights reserved. 

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.