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Things I love about CD

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Posted 10/15/2009 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, we all hate CD, but in light of the 'things I miss' thread, I thought it would be fun to have a thread for positive aspects of CD.

1. weight loss is easier
2. I always have an excuse to skip a party or outing I don't want to attend
3. I have a great gag reflex after taking enormous amounts of huge pills
4. I know where all the great bathrooms are in town (and on every highway exit from Nashville to Miami-THAT was a long trip)
5. I can advise anyone on the best toilet paper (Cottonelle in the purple package)

Who else wants to play?
Posted 10/15/2009 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
6. Healthier diet
7. Greater appreciation of the human experience (when you can experience it)
8. All that time in the restroom lets you catch up on your reading
9. You can finally figure out who your real friends are
10.A walk outside isn't just a walk outside. It's the paradise you thought about from your hospital bed.
Posted 10/15/2009 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Weight loss isn't necessarily easier for every CDer though (not myself but others on here that have CD and weight issues).

Only good thing is.....hmm, sorry can't think of anything good about CD.


:)
Posted 10/15/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)

Sure there are "Good"things about Cd, If you use your sense of Humor

*Yes walking outside while feeling good is something I don't take for granted.

*I second that response on the bathrooms.  I know where all bathrooms are in public places that i frequent and have on several occassion directed a hurried mother of a toddler or an eldery woman to the closest one.  On that note, I have discovered that Casino's have great restrooms.  Especially when traveling during the day, they are slower, when u walk in the door, someone always seems to be there to greet u, ask where the restroom is.   upon exiting, sit down at a machine, they bring u a drink, put a dollar in and go about your way.

*Know where the great Dr, And Nurses are.  Have lots of respect for them.

*Have something to talk to the older generaion about.  The young ones just don't talk about poop and pee, but stop by and visit with your gramma and chances are the subject will go in that direction.

I'm sure there are more, but drawing a blank

Posted 10/15/2009 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
The compassion from the people on this Forum - I wouldnt be here if it wasnt for CD.
Other than that I hate it so much at the moment I couldnt think of one other nice thing to say.
Jo
Posted 10/15/2009 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I had expected a blank post following the topic, but I guess there are some positives - it just takes a bit of thinking to get past the problems. It seems to be Human to find the things to gripe about first.

Anyway, the CD finally gave me the answer to a bunch of odd health problems that no-one seemed to have a clue about. Now I am getting somewhere in dealing with them!
Posted 10/15/2009 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
about the only positive for me is eating healthier. Other than that, it's a pain in the ass. Literally.
Posted 10/15/2009 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
at the moment I really hate it.

But most days I try to love it and stay positive.

The thing I love the most is that it makes you more alive.
It gets you to take better care of your body, your family and everyone around you.

It makes you love the really good days.
and lots of other stuff I always just try to take the pollyanna look on life and she a positive thing in everything it is not as hard as you think
though at the moment I cant quit see it (been a bad day)
Posted 10/15/2009 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
I've thought about starting a thread like this for quite a while! For me:

- I've learned a great deal about the medical field, hospitals, drugs, insurance, assistance programs, etc., since getting sick. Before, I was really ignorant and medicine seemed really dry and pointless (since it didn't really apply to me, being quite healthy), and insurance premiums seemed like money down the drain.

- My persistence and tenacity have increased quite a bit. I'll do whatever it takes to get and stay healthy, and try to reduce the money I spend on this disease.

- I really appreciate not feeling tired and being able to do physical activities.

- I now pay attention to advances in medicine and drugs like I used to for new gadgets, entertainment, etc.

- I've developed quite an interest in medicine now and want to learn as much as I can, but mostly related to CD and similar diseases.

- Realization that there are many, many healthy-looking people who are coping with diseases.

- First-hand experience with hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses, etc., and a much better understanding how they operate. Before, all I had was mostly sensationalized media stories about astronomical bills, errors, etc.

- Having CD sucks, but there are others who have it much worse.
Posted 10/15/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I know my doctors # by heart and don't have to keep looking it up!! lol :-)
Posted 10/15/2009 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
1. I know every single poo joke out there!!!
-most I have been a participant in....LOL.
Posted 10/16/2009 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
This disease makes me a more patient, empathetic and grounded person. I am actually more calm than I used to be, because I need to be for my health. I have grown up fast; I am only 23 but often feel a lot older. It has allowed me to put thing in perspective. It has made me more caring, nurturing, and enduring. I am stronger and weaker at the same time. I know I can go through hell with my health and stuff survive, even if it is barely.   I have met all of you.   I may be able to help others with Crohn’s; the possibility of which really excites me. I am going to volunteer my time and communications experience to help my GI establish a patient charter for crohn’s patients, so that all of those diagnosed will be aware of the minimal level of care they should expect to receive.   I didn’t have this kind of service, and as a result, was neglected by my old GI. I love the fact that I may have the opportunity to stop this from happening to others in AUS.  
Posted 10/16/2009 12:39 AM (GMT 0)
1.. You have a lot of advice for friends when they find out they have a chronic diseas because you have lived with yours for a decade already.

2. You can be a great role model for your kids. You can show them how to handle adversity and still have a positive attitude. If not all the time, but when it really counts.

Elizabeth
Posted 10/16/2009 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
okay, I kinda thought of something...it made potty training my kids easy, but who's to say it still might not have been easy even if I didn't have this retarded disease.


:)
Posted 10/16/2009 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
I learned how people suffer.

I learned to relax and be more patient. I learned to appreciate every moment of everyday I felt good.

I learned to eat healthier. I learned to laugh at poo jokes.

I learned about this forum and felt a sense of understanding from others. I learned to like plain yogurt.

I learned to be way more honest with myself and how I didn't take good care of myself. Then I could actually change things I needed to.

I learned how important rest is and not to over do it all the time. I learned to listen to my body and trust what it says better. (Not as good as I should be yet)

OK, great exercise for me. Thanks for thinking of it. I hate this DD but maybe there are more things to learn. What doesn't kill you....makes you stronger?
Posted 10/16/2009 5:46 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
Weight loss isn't necessarily easier for every CDer though (not myself but others on here that have CD and weight issues).

Only good thing is.....hmm, sorry can't think of anything good about CD.


:)

Oh, I agree. I'm one of those. I'm 75 pounds overweight. But from what I hear, it makes a lot of people thinner. LOL

I can't seem to eat healthier in a flare, though. Eating healthy is what triggered this flare. And then I tried again this week and it got 10x worse. I can't seem to eat anything but pasta and bread.
Posted 10/16/2009 6:01 PM (GMT 0)

I now understand why the elderly are slower and always in a bad mood...I'm 28 and I'm now one of them. 

When my husband complains that he can't work out because his back hurts, I now really do understand that he wasn't just using that as an excuse.  The arthritis has been taking over my back now, too, and I have worked out a total of about an hour in the last 2 months (vs the 11 hours a week I used to work out). 

I realized a few years ago that no job (or money) was worth it when the stress of the job caused me to flare and lose 30 pounds, when I was already underweight to begin with.

Posted 10/16/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
If I'm ever attacked in a dark alley I can just poo myself on command and escape while the are saying "ewwwww" lol

my cat basically lives in my bathroom because he knows that is the best place to get one on one time with mommy :P

I have found time to study for school by sticking my school books in the bathroom

I quit my job that made me a crazy person because I now appreciate quality of life so much more :D
Posted 10/17/2009 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
MissCris, I've got tears in my eyes..that was so funny!

I can't think of any others, but this brightened my day.

I agree with all of the responses!
Posted 10/17/2009 2:39 AM (GMT 0)
I love having a medically valid excuse for flatulence. Not that guys need one. :)
Posted 10/17/2009 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
We also have a medically valid excuse for stinking up someone else's bathroom...and we know which friend's houses have air freshener in them already, and where spare toilet paper is in friend's homes
Posted 10/17/2009 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Ha! I remember being 15 and having to explain to the people I was spending the summer with why they were going through so much toilet paper. I didn't know I had IBD yet but I knew I was the "culprit" amoung the dozen or so kids there.
Posted 10/17/2009 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Funguy-I just went through six this week. If they start raising prices on toilet paper...

Another one though!:
I can't go out and party so I have no choice but to stay home and do my homework. Makes for good grades.
I'll admit I do miss margaritas with the crowd, but I really actually kind of hate people (from a distance) sometimes so it's probably for the best.
Posted 10/17/2009 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
i like that i can eat junk and not gain any weight (i know i should eat better but i dont get sick on junk)

i dont have to eat dry whole wheat bread

i love that i found out just today that soy milk tastes just as delicious in my starbucks as regular milk and i dont get sick from starby's anymore!

i love how compassionate some of the people i work with are im not sure i would have known without the CD

i love that i can now educate people on a disease that isnt as "popular" (cant think of a better word) as some others.
Posted 10/17/2009 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Sulley-Silk Chocolate Soymilk is also a good substitute for regular chocolate milk :) So delicious.
I'm jealous that you can still drink coffee! Do you have to get decaf or anything like that?
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