Millie's page
I have been diagnosed with Crohn's since 1992. My mother believes that I was actually born with the disease. Due to my talking to her about my stools etc. It has convinced her more than ever. It all started with having pain when I ate and the "BIG D". I dropped about 30 pds. in 2months. So, I'd went to see my regular doc. The first time, I had Gastritis or however you spell it. The second time, can't remember what she said, but, she put me on Axid, which did nothing but make the "D" worse. So, when I had my annual check-up, I brought up the fact of my abdominal pain and asked her if it was normal to run straight to the restroom after or sometime during eating and told her about what the Axid did to me. She denied giving me the meds. Well, I simply had her look in my file, then, she proceeded to apologize and ordered tests and referred me to a gastro, who I still see.
He's my HERO (HA! HA!).
I had my flares here and there for the first 4 years after I was diagnosed. In 1996, I started having severe pain in the right side that would not go away. The nurse here at work sent me to the emergency room and they seemed to think it might be appendicitis (sp). How many of us have heard that before? Anyway, the next morning my regular doc, not gastro, comes in and informs me that my white cell count had went back down a bit and asked me if I thought all of my pain was "in my head". OH, I was ready to slap the woman. Needless, to say, 2-3 weeks later, I end up in the hospital with an abscess/obstruction. Okay, I was put in the hospital on a Monday. Well, the Monday before that, I had a colonoscopy and the doc couldn't get into my small bowel. I sat home for over a week in pain and it kept getting worse. Called the doc every day and he said to walk, it's probably just the air not releasing from the test....YADA, YADA, YADA. Anyway, come to find out, my body was literally shutting down on me. Let me make something clear. My doc is not in my town. So, he didn't actually see me. Just was going by what I had told him. Then, I started throwing up and that's when he's like "get your little butt to the hospital right now"! Come to find out I had an abscess/obstruction and had 2 ft. of my colon/small bowel removed. The surgeon was absolutely amazed that I'm still here after what he saw when opened me up. All I can say my friends is, it is by the GRACE OF GOD that I'm here and I truly believe that. The Lord worked through the surgeon to save me.
Since my surgery, I have had much better luck with the disease. Oh ya, I was hospitalized 2 years ago for an infection on the outside of my colon on the left side and severe anemia. My doctor is still baffled at the infection being on the outside.
I would like to tell you guys that my faith is much stronger and now realize that I can't have this disease and live my life without God. He gives me the strength each and everyday to fight this disease and all that goes with it. It's funny, my friends all tell me they don't see how I live with it. My answer is always the same "it's because the Lord gives me the strength and will to do so. I also try and remind myself. The Lord doesn't give us anything more than we can bear. Things could be or get much worse. I believe having a good attitude plays a big factor to. We all have two choices in life. We can wake up with a positive attitude or a negative one. It's our choice.
Basically, I live a pretty normal life. As many of you, I have good days and bad days. However, I'm determined this disease is not going to control me. Okay, I've rattled on and on. Basically, I'm blessed to have found so many fine friends whom I can tell my problems to and they can actually relate to what I'm talking about. Thank you all for being there. It really helps us all to know that we are not alone in our battles. Not to mention, I'm married to a wonderful man who loves and cares for me with all his heart. He's my soul mate.
I guess that I've written a book now, I'll stop here. God bless you all and thank you again for your concern and friendship.