Insanity Squared

Went to see the GI today. He said that I have a very severe case of Crohn’s and that my life is going to be very hard. He said that I’m categorized with a very small percentage of CD patients that have it this bad. The damage to my body can never be repaired. The only thing they can do is try to slow it down with the meds and hope for the best. I have an appointment to start Remicade and I’m also being put on an auto-immune suppressor to slow down my immune system.

My mom is really upset. She took it harder than me. She called in work and said she couldn’t finish the day because she was too upset. She agreed to go to therapy with me and my family is being real supportive. I’m also going to find a CD support group in the area and start attending meetings. The doctor kept saying how sorry he was that I had to deal with it so badly at such a young age.

So, I’m going to just take it a day at a time. Right now my goal is to heal up after this last flare and try to pick up the pieces. I was trying to think what may have triggered the flare, and it seems whenever I’m really stressed out about something…thats when they happen. So, I’m going to just take it easy and relax around the house for a while.  A little sad but I’ll be okay.

They had to give me a blood transfusion, which was gross because I still cant stand the sight of blood, but it helped a lot.  I have the Crohn’s in the most common area but in other places as well.  They gave me something I never heard of before: A PICC line. It’s a long term IV line, but it’s inserted in the upper arm just below the armpit and it goes all the way into your chest just before the heart. It hurt at first, but my other IV’s kept blowing out, so they felt this would be better.  I didn’t eat all week. They put me on TPN (I called it imaginary food). It helped as I didn’t lose too much weight.

When I first arrived at the ER, my blood count was all weird. My white cells were way up and hemoglobin was way way down. My blood pressure was 75/43. My body temp was 96 degrees, and my heart rate was steady. They gave me morphine!  Can you tell I like morphine? lol.

First test was a CT scan and it showed the Crohn’s right away.  Second test, another CT scan but lower this time to see if there was any more active infections.  Third test, Upper GI showed active Crohn’s, they called it.  Then came the surgery, infection handled, all went well.

They gave me lots of meds in the hospital and even more to take when I got home, about 30 pills a day. *eyeroll*  No baths only showers, low residue diet…ew, moderate bed-rest. Here’s the one that got me! Abstain from tobacco…yeah right. lol.  Follow up with GI appointment, surgeon in a week.  Start Remicade treatments soon.  Oh yeah, the only good thing aside from finally being diagnosed: Morphine…lol.  Have I mentioned how wonderful morphine is when your in excruciating pain?  That’s all. ;)

I just got out of the hospital after a week. Sunday night I began having extreme abdominal pain that wouldn’t go away, so I had to head over to the ER.  I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.

After several tests they found the offending section and I needed surgery to deal with another infection.  The blood transfusion really helped and the all the other lovely meds.  Oh yeah, the morphine!! LOL.

I’m okay now, a little sore but on the way to recovery.