8 Years… That is a long time to have something.
I have been living with Crohn’s Disease for 8 years now. Back in 2014, I had no idea what Crohn’s Disease even was. Now, I feel like I am still constantly learning new things. Life always hasn’t been easy but who’s life is? I think the challenges make you a stronger person and make you an interesting person as well. While I have had good years and bad years, it has become a learning experience for sure.
I love looking back to see how things have changed, here is a quick year by year overview:
2014: Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in August; Appendix burst and gangrenous in November
2015: 2 week hospital stay with a definite diagnosis of Crohn’s Disease in July/August
2016: Started first medicine (Remicade) in June and Entered remission (for a very short time) in November
2017: Started therapy to help me deal with the on going frustrations Crohn’s Disease has brought to me.
2018: My roughest year. Failed two medicines this year- Stelera and Entyvio. Iron infusions and different oral medications to help. Made the decision to go to UPenn for a surgery consult. Started medicine number 4 (Humira)
2019: Surgery. Started to feel better two months after and more like myself.
2020: Still doing good. A few hiccups but nothing too crazy.
2021: A random flare in November. Added a helper medicine (Imuran) daily. Still overall feeling good.
2022: I have been consistently feeling great and it has not been lost on me that I am very lucky and grateful for the medical team I have acquired over these past 8 years. I will be forever grateful for them giving me my life back.
To read a more in depth account of the first 6 years, click here.
My heart aches for the Crohn’s Disease patients who are struggling getting doctors to listen to them; who cannot afford the medicine due to economic insecurity and insurance; who have tried everything but cannot get relief from anything their doctor’s recommend; who just started their journey and are scared, nervous, unsure and sad by all these new and scary things.
I hope by sharing my story, it allows others who don’t experience Crohn’s Disease, a glimpse into this life and see what it truly is, not just a pooping disease.
Check out past Crohn’s Confidential posts below:
Crohn’s Confidential: My Crohn’s Disease Journey
Crohn’s Confidential: My Support Team and How They Help Me
Crohn’s Confidential: Surgery: Before & After
Crohn’s Confidential: Recovery After Surgery
Crohn’s Confidential: World IBD Day
Crohn’s Confidential: Dealing with Questions and Comments
Crohn’s Confidential: What I learned from Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s Confidential: Resources
Crohn’s Confidential: Thank you
Crohn’s Confidential: Humira Update
Crohn’s Confidential: Surgery- 3 year update
[[Hardships often prepared ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny. C.S. Lewis]]
