Anniversary!

Today is a year since I got my colon etc. out and got my ileostomy. Even though I've had some non-trivial complications, it has been so wonderful to be done with all the IBD symptoms -- urgency, diarrhea, boils, fevers, EN nodules, horrible eye condition, etc.

In deciding on surgery, I asked myself, "What if they cured Crohn's in a year?" and thought that I'd be thrilled, but I couldn't wait that long. Sadly, Crohn's hasn't been cured in a year, although I would still be thrilled if it were....

It is so, so worth it.... Many of you have been with me all the way, and a million thanks for that. I feel like as soon as I decided on surgery, my life started getting bigger. An unexpected bonus of having an ostomy bag is that it makes for a strong bond between people who are quite different otherwise, and somehow this is opening me up in other ways... so many amazing people in the world....

Happy anniversary...you've come a long way! This day marks a year free from disease and what I'd like to call a 'Birthday' celebrating a new LIFE!!!!

There was a poem that I recently came across. Some quotes are..... 'I asked God for strength and he gave me obstacles to solve.' 'I asked God for someone to love me and he gave me people to heal.' Made me think of all of us here and reiterates what you said regarding opening our world in different areas and the new connections we've made with it.

You've supported alot of us here, you've 'healed' us in more ways than one. Thank You for being you!

Bluegrass, in the year of releif from all that you got a few other obstacles to deal with and you dealt with them. I think you made it through everything you needed to make it through in order to get free of all of that other stuff!
Congrats!!! And your getting that here from the people who know exactly what you're celebrating!

Congrats to you!!! It is worth it - even through the difficulties, to be disease free (and pill free) is an awesome feeling!

CJ, I love it!

Thanks everyone..... really wonderful.

Blue,

Glad to hear it. Congrats. Rosemary

Happy anniversary!

     I hear ya!!    I feel the same way....June 28th will be my 2 yr anniversary.  Last June 28th I phoned my surgeon's office to say "thank you!!!"  Apparently, they aren't used to that and his assistant called me back.  Guess he thought maybe I was being sarcastic and I had a problem..lol.  I told him "No problem, just voicing my appreciation for giving me my life back."  He said..."THank YOU for the call!!"  He then asked if I would be willing to speak to some patients who are having a problem dealing with their ostomies.  I told him I would be glad to.

     Here's wishing you continued good health !!!

Cheers!!

I did that as well last Dec on hubby's 1st anniversary. I have the e-mail address of his GI's nurse and sent to her. I thanked her for all her help and assistance and the opportunity to have e-mail access to her, his GI dr, the Stoma Nurses' dept and the colorectal surgeon. Without being too lengthy (which isn't easy for me...lol) I specifically thanked each one of them and the importance each one of them played making my husband better.

She forwarded the e-mail to all of them for us and they and they were very happy first and foremost for my husband's successful recuperation and appreciative of the update/acknowledgement.

So even if it is a card or a note I am sure they appreciate it...kind of like "fan mail" .... I know when I worked and got thank you notes it made it all worthwhile especially on those days you didn't like your job.