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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/3/2009 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
I know Crohn's pretty much sucks but I was wondering if we could all find one or more things that it has teched us :)

For me:

I have gotten more patient (from waiting for all the doctors, mine is always an hour late).
I get to spend more time with my family and dogs :) since I cant work
I take better care of myself now.
My anxiety has gotten better don't know why but it has hehe..
My relationship with my mother in law has blossomed :)
I have more time for my hobbies when I am not sick.
I clean the house more often.
It thought me how to be invisible, not exactly, but my faced changed so much from the pred that no one knows me anymore. And that was one of my biggest phobias but I was not that bad so I guess that was a good thing, now I know.
I started doing volunteer work and I enjoy that so much.
And I get to spend more time with my cosy Tempur bed :)

I hate Crohn's but it has teched me a lot about life and not to take it to seriously..
So it would be fun to hear from you guys and don't be sarcastic ;)
Posted 5/3/2009 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
I guess my disease has taught me a thing or two,one would be don't take anything for granted,smile at the big stuff,i grow a back bone which i didn't think i had,I'm much stronger than ever i can handle what ever the good lord throws my way, don't worry about today cause there is always tomorrow and the biggest lesson of all i guess crohn's taught me to except the things i can not change that was a big thing for me i wasn't very excepting when i was diagnosed now i know i can conquer anything. Jenn smilewinkgrin :-) turn
Posted 5/3/2009 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I also don't fuss over the small stuff in live, like my mom and dad are always making a big deal out of everything. It is not worth spending your energy on those little things that do not matter.

I am not saying that we who are sick are more lucky but if we don't get stuck in self pity we enjoy life more. It is of course hard and I am not saying that I am smiling 24/7 but I have a new look on life.
Posted 5/3/2009 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
It has opened my eyes to medical issues.
I have a greater curiosity as to what goes on in ER rooms and hospitals.

I can not see enough on the Discoery Health channel.

Now I find out it is going to be discontinued next year. I need to find more shows on medical issues.
Posted 5/3/2009 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Humility. Patience. Compassion. A broader social awareness. A different set of priorities. Like Isergodur, I take better care of myself than I might have had I been healthy.

Also, the opportunity to learn about things that I wouldn't have been able to had I been stuck in university or the workforce.
Posted 5/3/2009 11:04 AM (GMT 0)
The amount of times people have said to me about how much it must suck to have Crohn's and I always think yes it does suck when I'm ill as when I am ill with it I am very ill, but it means that when I'm in remission or feeling good I (going to sound cheesy) really live life to the full. I am just so appreciative of being well I live as much as possible as who knows when I may next fall ill again, I don't want to be laid there in a hospital bed thinking "darn wish I'd done that while I was well enough to". I now never take good health for granted, and like isergodur said not letting the small stuff stress you out.

Its also shown me what amazing friends and family I've had, looking after me, supporting me, being there for me.

I can't imagine what I'd be like if I'd never had Crohn's, if anything I attribute all my good qualities to Crohn's - like Ivy listed - patience, compassion etc. Yes having a chronic illness does suck but it really is character stengthening.
Posted 5/3/2009 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
I look at the scenery. I am no longer in a rush to get to a destination...the trip can be cool too. I have learned to accept the unexpected cuz you never know when you're going to have a good day and conversely you never know when you'll be curled up in a fetal position on the floor begging the almighty for mercy(I have more than my fare share of those times...).

And who'd ever think fantasies would include SALAD or running and ultramarathon? It's a perverse world that keeps some of us away from what most people hate and are forced to do...What I'd give to be an average Joe.(though I have to admit, I never was the average Joe or Josie...)

I like these threads...to focus on the lemonade of our lives...Ivy, all that and more...
Posted 5/3/2009 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Having Crohn's has taught me to make the most of life, because you never know when you will get ill and end up back in hospital, and it has bought good things for me because i am 14 and i have had slower developments and havent started my periods yet buh my mum said thats a good thing so i guess its not all bad! i had my abdo op about 6 weeks ago and now i can eat whatever i want, which is good!
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