Entering the New Year with #Crohns #IBD #Ihavecrohns

This is the longest I've gone without blogging in ages.Some of you sent 'contact notes' wondering if I was dead or alive. I'm alive.

But totally cookie-less. Except for that half-bite I took from an oatmeal cookie last night.

Which starts me off with....

Changing my diet and exercise.

I realize this is a blog about books, writing, and reviews. But if you look closely, the description also says commentary about life. As most of you know, I have Crohn's disease, thyroid disease, and diabetes, which may or may not be related to Crohn's. (Depends if my pancreas is inflamed or not. But... since my thyroid is under assault by my immune systems one can only surmise.)

Damn. That's a lot of stuff to go wrong at one time. But there is hope.

I've been on thyroid medication for about one month and I think I have more energy. I hate to commit because it's been my experience that my energy levels come and go. Yet, Christmas didn't exhaust me, and by exhaust, I mean spend two days in bed sleeping to recover. That is a major plus.

If this keeps up through the new year, I'm adding additional exercise. Currently, my regimen is about one half mile per day of walking/biking. Which is quite a bit for me considering just a month ago I barely had the energy to write.

A couple of people from other (Crohn's) blogs have asked me to guest post because I live with Crohn's disease. As of today, I'm coming out of the closet. My goodness, if they have 'guts' (no pun intended) enough to do it, so do I. I'm gonna lay it all out for you, little slices at a time. On Thursdays. That will be my 'Crohn's blogging day'.

There are lots of positive things about having Crohn's:

1. I can point out to my daughters-in-law the closest bathrooms. Great for little ones potty training.
2. "I have a headache," is no longer necessary. (Okay, bad joke, but funny.) 
3. If I have an attack at Disneyland I get one of those cards so I don't have to stand in line again. (Yes, this has happened.)

*sigh*

1. So, what is Crohn's?

It is an autoimmune disease that attacks various organs in the body but primarily the digestive track. However, with me it has attacked my back, my thyroid, and possibly my pancreas.

2. What are the symptoms?

Bloody diarrhea, exhaustion, inability to eat, stomach ache (severe) vomiting (severe) , ulcers in my mouth, stomach, and intestines. You feel like you have the flu on most days--the rare days you feel great are savored with those you love. I will occasionally get ulcers on my (looks over shoulder), bum, I think the English say, and these painful red bumps that appear and disappear for whatever reason. I'm on Humira which lowers the immune system so I have to be careful of colds and the flu. I've had all my shots just like the dog.

3. Is it catchy? (My five year-old granddaughter asked me this question.)

No. It is genetic with an environmental factor that activates the gene. Might be a virus, may be in infection, or it could even be an allergy to genetically modified food. The simple answer is no.

4. Will you die?

We're all born to die. But will Crohn's get me? Maybe--maybe not. There are a lot of new drugs on the market but many come with horrible side effects. Some of those side effects include cancer so while Crohn's may not 'get me', the side effects could.

5. Will it go away?

Sometimes Crohn's goes into remission. I was in remission for many years.  But this last flare has lasted over seven years, so my hopes are dimming. That does not mean that I flare every single day, just that every day there are symptoms present.

6. Are they going to cut your guts out? (This from my eleven year-old grandson.)

Maybe.

That's enough questions for today. I figure the new year is a great time to meet yourself face-to-face. Just because I have a chronic disease (now doesn't that sound distasteful?) doesn't mean life is spent in bed with the sheets pulled over your face.

(((hugs)))

Louann

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