Hi. I'm an L too. (That just sounds too funny! 
) Howdy to my clan out there!
I have CD and have a very supportive girlfriend because she coincidently has UC. In the fall of 2001 (before we were together), she had to have her colon removed in an emergency surgery when she almost bled to death. Two weeks later she had another emergency surgery because of a severe abdominal infection. Two surgeries later, to construct a J-pouch, she is good as new (with the exception of occasional pouchitis) and has an incredibly beautiful scar all the way up her belly.
And, of course, since you can never have too many of these things, she has fibromyalgia and I have some as of yet undetermined type of spondy and enthesitis (still undergoing tests) .... What a pair we make!
Beats the heck out of the last GF. While I was in surgery having my gall bladder out she went across the street to the brew pub (even though she promised she'd stay at the hospital). When I came out of anesthesia I called her and asked her to come see me. She said she had just gotten a new beer!
It's great to be a part of both of my communities. The camaraderie is definitely important. Everybody wants to be understood and be a part of the whole.
And, not that this has anything to do with anything ... I love my two whippets, Jack and Rosie! They're sitting at my feet as I type this and I just want to say how much I love them!