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Crohn's diagnosis Anniversary

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/29/2010 7:26 AM (GMT 0)
Today came and went and I did not even realize until just a few hours ago that it was the 6th anniversary of being diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This brought me to thinking about all of the good and bad times that my wife and I have gone through since then and since I became sick a year and a half before being diagnosed. It also made me wonder what everyone else's reaction was to being told that you have this disease. I had already undergone a couple of surgeries before I was diagnosed and tried to tough it out and cowboy up for the year and a half because I did not want to think that I was really this sick. Then as the pain and problems got worse I began to really want an answer to why I was so sick after being such a healthy young guy for so long. When I was diagnosed officially I had already been in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with a G.I. bleed and a great doctor that would not let me leave until he knew what was going on. All of the tests and procedures were really starting to take a toll on me emotionally and I was so sick that when I was told that I had Crohn's disease I was elated. I was so grateful to finally have an answer and be able to not only tell others that this was not in my head but all to tell myself that it was not in my head, that I literally prayed in gratitude for the answer. My family was grateful and my wife cried tears of joy because we had no idea what this disease was all about. I had no idea what a life changing day that cool March night in the hospital would be and I wonder if I wish now that I did. I wonder if it would have been better knowing that 6 years from that day I would still not be back to work and had my life put on hold. I think about how naiive I was and can't help to wonder what if despite knowing that it would not have changed things. I guess in a way I also wonder if the lack of understanding helped me grow and not become too depressed.
Sorry about the rant, but I just thought that I would mention it to a group that would understand the feelings that I am feeling. We are a pretty select group and despite difference in beliefs, cultures, nationalities, or views, we all share the same common bond that will terestrially link us together. The funny thing is that today I actually had some pretty severe bleeding for the first time since I returned to remicade after being off of it for a year. I failed every other medication after being on and failing remicade and the first day that I have bleeding since returning to remicade is ironically the 6 anniversary of the day I also had my first dose of remicade. If that makes any sense at all it just goes to show that life goes in circles sometimes. Well, thanks for the chance to rant and I am curious about what your initial reaction was when you were told that you now have Crohn's disease.
Posted 3/29/2010 7:53 AM (GMT 0)
It is funny how certain dates stick in your mind, isn't it although not totally surprising when you think of the sort of impact it has on your life.
Although son only diagnosed last year, like you initially I was elated that there was a diagnosis and that I hadn't been 'imagining' something was wrong and then the more I read the more I wished that I had been imagining it!! No doubt son has years of anniveraries to go with this and I guess we will use it to remember what he has done in spite of this disease :)

I don't know if it is correct to say 'Happy 6th Anniversary' so I guess it is "Congratulations on your achievments during these past 6 years" :)
Posted 3/29/2010 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
I will be "celebrating" 20 years in August. Yes, I am keeping track and Yes I want an anniversary gift (but not one reminiscent of 20 years ago). Since my diagnosis came from an emergent rupture, I was not left wondering what was wrong with me for time before it. I just remember two things.....crying when i had to go back in for an abcess from the rupture (I was worried about not going back to work right away) and the enormous list of foods they said I could never eat again (I now eat many of the things on the list and some in moderation).

I am oddly thankful that everything happened when it did. I was 4 months into just getting insurance (after two years of no insurance) when the rupture happened. I was still close to home so Mom and Dad provided a nice fall back zone. It gave me a great perspective on my future and forced me to look for a new career (which I now hate 20 years later, but it was a very good change when it happened).

What is the classic gift for 20 years?????
Posted 3/29/2010 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
I can tell you my initial reaction to being diagnosed with Crohns was "Thank God they know whats wrong with me now". I got sick very quickly and was one of the lucky ones (if you can call that lucky) who was diagnosed in only 3 weeks.

As for the anniversary, I will be celebrating my 35th this coming Halloween. Its funny that we remember the date we were diagnosed. But I guess thats because of the disease we have, never lets you forget you have it.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 3/29/2010 1:15 PM (GMT 0)
I believe 20 years the traditional gift is china! Maybe a new toilet or something?! lol and I looked up 6 years and its sugar/candy.....maybe not the best gift for Crohnie lol!
Posted 3/29/2010 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
I like the idea lilcrohnie, maybe I will go get me one of those heated toilet seats to celebrate.
Posted 3/29/2010 9:23 PM (GMT 0)

Isn't paper the 1st anniversary?  Toilet paper is an excellent and thoughtful gift for a Crohnie. 

I just realized my 3rd anniversary was yesterday.  I received my diagnosis over the phone.  All my doc said was "You have Crohn's disease."  Nothing more.  So what was I to say to that?  "Thank you.  Call again"???

Posted 3/30/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
My husband is approaching his 2nd year anniversary with this disease. This time in 2008, he was in the hospital, and they didn't know why the heck he wasn't improving - they thought he just had c-diff. It was the scariest year of my life. The sudden hospitalization, infection with a bacteria I knew little about, losing 45 lbs, crohn's diagnosis, getting on remicade, the foot drop . . . I must say life has only gotten better since then.

However, I do mourn the loss of my confidence in my tomorrows, my carefree attitude with which we faced life. I just booked flight tickets for us to visit my sister and my nieces, and I hope that we'll make it through and have a good time. In the past I'd never have worried about stuff like that - whether he'd get too sick to travel, whether the kids are going to infect him with some virus . . . oh well, I'm learning to count my blessings, and look at the positive.

One thing that does help is that I'm able to look back and say, "hey look, we made it through the last 2 years." While the going is tough sometimes, we do get through it.

Hugs to all.

PV
Posted 3/30/2010 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
I think there was a relief when I finally knew what was wrong. A strong disappointment when I could not get a remission. A great deal of pain about my lost quality of life, but a sense of graditude for everyday breathing. That is sometimes tempered by the losses I have suffered.
Posted 3/31/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)

My diagnosis took 6 months. And I found it cool that it was said to be treatable. Not so cool when the D didn't go away. But I was 19 and still full of confidence.

But now, I kind of miss these days, when D (three/four times a day) was the only disconfort.

Nanners got to the point. This disease doesn't let you forget. My 16th diagnosis anniversary is in november. 

Posted 4/1/2010 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
My 19 yr anniversary is next month for DX, by this time19yrs ago I was already feeling really bad with my perinanal skin tags (which were mistaken for hemmies and it was mid April that I had the unnecessary hemmie surgery on them while they were flaring, by the end of April CD was affecting me internally as well as externally with the flaring skin tags.

I'm so tired right now.
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