Update: on my daughter

She just spent 10 days in Hospital after being diagnosed with and abscess with a small fistula on her small intestine. Crohn's has become active as well.  It was drained and she was placed on antibiotics. She was released for the Hospital on Christmas Eve, and continued oral antibiotics,(Flagyl), and after having IV prednisone, she went to oral prednisone at home. They want to start Imuran, but she will have to have the Chicken Pox vaccine towards the end of the prednisone taper first.

I guess that wasn't such a "brief" recap was it?

I've been doing alot of research about what she's been going through. I'm incredibly concerned about this abscess healing, as I've had some replies, and read that they are very difficult to deal with. Most of the info. that I've found is on Perianal fistulas/abscesses. I really don't know if there's alot of difference. The Perianal, sounds more serious.

Currently, she is back to school and her sport, (figure skating). So far, she is having some of the typical Prednisone effects. She's very hungry for sure. The one not so typical thing is, that she's immensely tired. I'm not sure if it's that she's still recuperating from 10 days in the Hospital, or whether it's the infection/abscess recuperation time. I've never seen her this tired, accept for the week before she was first diagnosed. She's had no fevers and her BM's are very normal. No diarrhea of constipation. She says she feels discomfort in her side when she runs or skates, but no real pain. Perhaps still tender from the draining.

For now  we just wait, as her next appt. if Feb 2nd. They will do a SBFT at that time. The GI feels that the abscess/fistula will close and heal. But I get the immpression that it's a 50/50 thing.

The waiting, wondering and worrrying has been extemely difficult. I think I'm getting worse instead of better. By far the most confounding thing about this disease is the indefinite prognosis. My wife says I have to start thinking more positively, but I'm a harsh realist. I think in terms of definites.

I don't want to dwell on my issues with this, as I know "Nanners" will certainly give me a firm scolding.

Just kidding of course, she's been a tremendous help.

Anyway, Thanks for looking. Tomorrow's another day. Hoping for good things for all.

Thanks All,

Perhaps more rest is in order. Believe me, I would never push Holly to take on too much. I let her decide what she feels up to doing. The GI is the one that actually encougaged her to do as much physically as she could. 

A lot of what's going on this time is very new to us. When first diagnosed, she had no Hospital stay or infection/abscess. When she started the Prednisone, she seemed to get stronger by the day then. Maybe I can't remember just how long it took. It seemed immediate, but in hind sight maybe it took a few weeks. 

Thanks again,

Tom.

Celey,

You certainly have endured tremendous adversity. You have a such a positive outlook considering what you've been through. I hope you have a good network of friends and other family members that are standing by you. It's so difficult for someone your age to make their way in the world even in ideal situations.

If I could be so bold to give you some fatherly advise. The best way to gain the most independence, so that you can drive, work in the best conditions, not have to worry about income etc. Is to put every ounce of energy you can muster into an education. If you can somehow sacrifice the next few years, it will pay massive dividends for the rest of your life. 

I know it's easy to say, considering that I don't know every detail about your current situation. But even still I would strongly advise you do everything you can to persue this.

You're obviously a caring person, to be on this forum trying to help others, (like me). Perhaps you should check out a career in Social services, or Health sciences.

I hope things get better for you. I certainly will pray for your success. Sorry to get so long.

Tom.

Hi L.M.

She's following a low residue diet pretty much, and she's constantly hungry, and eating alot. Typical Prednisone side effect I guess.

She is immensely tired though. She went back to school this week, then was at the arena 4 nights as well. It's hard to keep her away from that. I think she should slow down abit. This weekend she has nothing planned, so I'm hoping the rest will benefit her somewhat. 

Hope things are good with you, Thanks for checking in. 

Tom.  

Celey,

Guess I jumped the gun on that fatherly advise. I'm so glad to hear that you're persuing that. It will pay huge dividends in the long run. Good luck.

Tom.