 This last week has been a bit of a bummer for me. I started flaring last Saturday. I went to the Bay Area for my niece's baby shower and ended up on my daughter's couch with a blanket and heating pad. The following morning I was out of there, the only thing on my mind my bed and my bathtub. Not what I had hoped for.
The roving fevers are back, up 99, down to normal, up 99.5, down to 99, back to normal. The fever hits within half hour of eating. As soon as the food is digested the fever disappears, and it should stay this way until the flare clears--unless there is something more nefarious afoot. I could call my doc and get on Prednisone--make that--I should call my doc and get on Prednisone, but sometimes flares come for a few days then disappear. If it isn't better by Monday, I'll call before I leave. Road trip! Starting Tuesday, it's fun on the run in the desert. I suppose I should do a blog on how I do road trips with Crohn's. Lots of clothes, inhibitions are left at home, and extra toilet paper is a must. Really though, to do a vacation right, embarrassment has no place. It is what it is and you'll live through it. Of course, strange hospitals are a little creepy--but let's hope that doesn't happen. If you want to hear about my trip, follow me on Twitter @LouannCarroll, or the link is here. You can friend me over on Facebook here. Or even drop by my author page and give it a like here. I haven't promoted the site much as FB keeps changing things and I never know if I'm going to end up paying for something--or not. All that said, since I'm going to leave this post up for at least one week--yes this is a cyber vacation, too, I thought I'd leave this blog about Crohn's up rather than a book blog. Maybe because I'm not feeling well, or maybe because I just received my latest Crohn's magazine and am so in awe of all the people who work so hard for the cause. There are some seriously active people out there. I admire their fortitude. My way of giving back is to offer you a little bit of escapism.Free e-books of my novels. I don't know what I would do without books. They are such a godsend. I have a bookshelf in my bathroom, my bedroom, my living room, and even in my kitchen. No matter where I am, books are not far away. If you have an e-book reader or even a computer will do, leave a comment below along with your e-mail address and I will send you the book of your choice, either Gemini Rising, or A Shadow of Time. If you'd like to learn more about the book(s), just click on the links above and you will go to their page. If you would prefer to e-mail me directly, you can contact me at [email protected]. Before I head out to my first vacation in a very long time, I'd like to introduce you to the Crohn's Forum. They are such a blessing to me and they will be for you, too. I found out I had Crohn's when my doc called at 8:00 pm on a Sunday night a week or so after my colonoscopy. He'd found ulcers in my colon (duh) after the test and was sure I had UC. He'd already started me on Asacol. But, all the tests had finally come in and the diagnosis was Crohn's. He wanted to see me the next day. The only thing I'd ever heard about Crohn's was horribly uninformative and reactionary. I was 32 the first time I became ill and I lost 40 pounds over a 3 month period. The doctors were convinced I had panic disorder (duh--not surprising when you're not digesting any food) and because I knew nothing about nothing at that age, I believed them. Fortunately for me, my symptoms cleared without killing me and I went into a long remission. Well, mostly. They did tell me I had irritable bowel and that's why I went to the restroom so frequently. Thank you, Kaiser. However, this time was different. This time, It didn't get better. I had been bleeding for two years, yes, you heard me right. Two freakin' years. *shakes head* I am so stubborn. (There's a blog about it somewhere if you scroll down.) Anyway, I hung up the phone and burst into tears, certain I had just heard my death sentence. Instead, I found a comfortable shoulder to cry on (my husband's) and I found my way to the Crohn's Forum. Once I got there, I read every thread, I was so hungry for hopeful information. But as we all know, Crohn's is a long story. It isn't the same for everyone and not everyone heals, lives, or goes into remission, the same way. *sigh* But as I've said before you cannot let Crohn's define you! I get what it's like to go to a party and leave because you're ill. Oh, it can be so frustrating. Yet, there is liberation in accepting yourself for who you are. With all the little foibles that come with you being you. I get what it's like to hope for remission, especially having experienced one that lasted over 20 years. This mega flare is almost 10 years old now. I go in and out of the mega flare, but I have symptoms every single day of my life. So, head over to Crohn's Forum. If you have a question, you'll find the answer. Need some support? They'll give you a hug. I'm Carrollco, stop in and drop me a note. I'm off to hunt rocks, fossils, and other dead stuff in Nevada, but I'll check in every now and again. I'm not going to let Crohn's stop me from living life my way. And hopefully, neither will you. Happy reading! (((hugs))) Louann
Kathy
3/28/2013 09:06:33 am
I sent you my e-mail. Can't wait to read A Shadow of Time. I've had Crohn's for almost 20 years. It is so not fun.
crohnsgirl
4/1/2013 04:04:13 am
Thank you for the book. I can't wait to read it. Comments are closed.
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