Crohn's Update from Sunday, April 27, 2008

Not to use this as an excuse for being anti-social, but I have been sick for the last 3 weeks: a cold aggravated by allergies that kicked a Crohn's episode into high gear. Over the last 2 weeks, I have been in the bathroom a lot. Most of my time was spent in and out of there with generally a positive attitude. "This will pass in a few days." "You have been under a crap load of stress for months, more so in the last month. Blah, blah, blah." Whatever it took to keep from falling in and down the nasty self-pity spiral. I figure my immune system has taken a few extra punches in the last few weeks, but I will not take it lying down! Or curled in the fetal position on the bathroom floor. OK, while I was on the clear liquid diet, fighting a fever and internal bleeding again! (Fun!) I did lay low. It's not fun.
Paul is there making me veggie broth and plain noodles, making those famous midnight runs for 7Up and crackers and comforting me as much as he can. Sometimes the spasms get so bad they leave me wracked with pain. Even the slightest, most loving touch can cause excruciating pain. It makes loved ones often feel helpless, just watching and waiting. How many times have I awakened to Paul or Mom lurking, watching me sleep? They crack me up.
As anyone who has known me through the thick and the thin (97 lbs!!), I'll puke anywhere. I won't bother to slow down or pull over anymore. Just reach into the glove box for one of my pilfered airplane barf bags… OK, that may have been more than most can handle. (But those of you who have been at my side though the nastiness of CD, I thank you!) Moving on…
This time around I refused to go to the hospital. I don't see why I need to take up valuable space, when all they can do for me is drug and monitor me. Well, there are those vampire lab techs coming to steal my blood every 6 hours… Yeah, I'll pass on that. I have all the same medications at home, my own pillow and blanky, too.
Next month I am doing the 2 mile Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis charity walk. I chuckle every time I think we, Crohn's patients, can't go more than 2 miles without a bathroom. I will not be going it alone on the Crohn's walk, either. My friend of 25 years, Laurie, is strutting her stuff with me. Mom is also joining in on the fun. Hell, we might even take the dogs. This fundraiser is small, like the walk. I have promised to raise $250, $130 over the national average. I can do it with the help, support and love of my friends and family.