Crohn's

This year has been quite the year for me, medically. I haven't been at my best, but I have received a lot of valuable information about my health.

Just before we left for China I experienced a lot of stomach pain, unlike any pain I had experienced in the past. At the time I knew that something wasn't right and I made appointments to follow up with the doctors once we returned from our trip to China. After months of not-so-nice symptoms and sparing you from the many details of such symptoms and ensuing tests, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's.

Looking back over the years, I have most likely had Crohn's since I was twelve years old. It has taken me twenty years to get a diagnosis -- but we now feel empowered that we know what we are dealing with. Crohn's is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks itself (especially in the small intestine), and causes the intestine to be inflammed.

Over the past six months I have been on a variety of medication to help reduce the inflammation in my small intestine by suppressing my immune system, but we haven't yet found a medication that works well with my body. I have had a few setbacks and hospital stays, but I still feel like we are getting there -- one step at a time, right? :) In trying to avoid the more invasive next steps, such as transfusions to further suppress my immune system or surgery, I have been visiting and working with a naturopath. I am crossing my fingers and my toes that the more natural remedies work for me.

The reason I decided to post about Crohn's is to get it out there -- especially so that when I am battling symptoms, my family and friends have an understanding that I am trying my best to ensure that I am getting healthier. When the symptoms hit, it can be days before I feel like I am able to participate in activities or even eat a meal.

On one hand, being diagnosed with Crohn's was a blessing -- finally explaining why I have been such a sickie my entire life. It has also made me realize that I need to be a more active participant in my own health -- especially for the sake of Maelyn and our new little monkey. On the other hand, I now know that I need to slow down a little and ensure that I reduce daily stress -- ha! Any of you who know me knows that slowing down will be the most difficult part for me! :)

I feel grateful that I am able to work towards a healthier me -- health is everything!

Maelyn has been taking it all in stride, of course. During my most recent and longest hospital stay, I put in desperate phone calls to the god-mothers to get advice on how I should handle Maelyn and having her visit me while I was in the hospital. I was worried that it would stress her out to leave me there once the visit was over. AM and Lianne both told me to simply explain (in kid-like terms), that Mommy's tummy wasn't feeling well and that the doctors wanted me to stay until I felt better. Paul explained this to her and when she saw me, she said, 'Mama's tummy owww.' Then she kissed my stomach and rubbed my face and hands. Then she said, 'All better now, Mama?' She completely melted my heart. In the end, she handled it like a trooper -- much to my relief. Thank goodness for god-mothers and their timely advice! :)

Now, whenever we drive past the hospital, she talks about my tummy and feeling all better now. At night, when I am rocking her, she will talk about the hospital stay, too -- looking at me lovingly, kissing my forehead and saying, 'All better now, Mama.'

Yes, Maelyn -- you have a way of making me feel much, much better!