A Writer's Life Interrupted--A Journey to Health #crohns #ibd

Two weeks sped by and yesterday I was able to get my second infusion of Remicade. I drove myself, which might not be a big thing to some, but I have tons of allergies and driving myself meant I was putting my worries aside and trusting the universe to take care of me.

Remicade is made with the aid of mice which is why some call it 'rat crack', and some people develop life threatening allergic reactions which is hopefully not me.  I did meet some wonderful people who also have autoimmune disorders and that set me to wondering why this is happening so often and to so many people. Are the triggers in the food we eat? The water we drink? The products we put on our bodies like lotion or even make-up? God forbid I should go without make-up. I'd scare the grandchildren.

The nurses at Sierra Nevada Hospital are wonderful and I brought my mini-laptop so I could work on my latest novel, The Fire and the Flame. All good intentions aside, as soon as the Remicade started I felt a trifle nauseous, had a slight headache, then was extremely tired. Seriously though, other than those three issues the infusions went well.

Last night I woke up drenched in sweat which is a side effect that could be concerning. This could be from Crohn's or Remicade or even coming off Prednisone. So, I will wait and see if any other reaction shows up.

Now for the good stuff. My inflammation is dropping. How do I know? I felt a hunger pain yesterday. Yay! And the biggest thing of all? I have no pain. That's right. No pain. No need for a pain pill, no need for a hot bath, no need to curl up in the fetal position on my bed and hum (my coping mechanism.)

I cannot tell you what a relief it is not to have pain. Even the Crohn's arthritis is reacting to the meds.

#feelingblessed

My body is quiet. I don't know how to explain that feeling except it's a place where you can actually be still and think, listen, or just be. Generally, I'm a squirmer because when you hurt you subconsciously seek a place of comfort and if you have uncontrolled Crohn's there is nowhere that is comfortable. While I was on Humira I had moments of peace, when the body isn't in pain and I can think, but right now? Aside from the headache, my body is in cruise control. I haven't had that feeling for a long, long time.

That is such a wonderment.

Plus, my weight is holding. I haven't experimented with any foods yet. I'm sticking to my smoothies and a low residue diet for awhile. For now, it is just nice not to have pain.

And on that note I shall return to editing.

Blessings to everyone!

Louann

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