Sunday, January 27, 2008

Living with Crohn's Disease


It's 6:22AM on a Sunday morning, my stomach wrapped with a heating pad and my body feeling like I'm in Round 9 of a heavyweight fight.

And I'm up against the ropes.

I tend to keep my health woes on the hush, mostly because I don't want people to take pity upon me as the sick guy.

But I'm now entering my fifth year with Crohn's Disease and I'm trying to open up more about my health.

Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that has recked havoc on my body since the end of 2003.

Besides from the 50 pounds of weight loss, the fatigue, the loss of appetite, and the daily abdominal cramps (How do you deal, women?), the disease has turned me into a once very active person to an antisocial hermit who is usually restricted to bed rest on the bad days.

I went out on Tuesday after work with my roommate and I couldn't remember the last time I had been out not just during the week but the weekends as well.

He happened to ask me at the right time, when I wasn't gritting my teeth during a wave of cramps, because five minutes earlier or later, I would have probably said no.

Despite the pain, the extra couple of years in college, the night sweats and chills, I wouldn't trade this experience with anyone.

I wouldn't want any of my friends or loved ones to experience what I go through on a daily basis.

God has struck me with this disease for a reason ... a reason that I'm still trying to figure out.

When I figure it out, I'll let you know.

Bring on Round 10....

8 comments:

Undercover Black Man said...

Sorry to hear about your pain and struggle, Marcus. There is no reason for any of it. It just is.

I got hit with Hodgkin's Disease my last year of college... chemo, radiation, whole nine. All better now.

I know Crohn's can't be knocked out like that. But I just want to tell you to keep the light of your soul shining through your writing. That's where the proof of God is.

Unknown said...

i feel for ya, man, i really do. Having seen you in your natural state and all with Crohn's. You're one cat who's proved that it's mind over matter, or in this case, mind over Crohn's. Keep fightin' and you shall prevail.

Charreah said...

Took a lot of courage to post this Marcus!! Definitely takes a lot of strength to be as busy as you are when your body doesn't do what you want. I'm a hodgkin's beater like Undercover Black Man.

And I'm glad you came Tuesday because it was great seeing you . . . and not just because you introduced me to Ashley which led to a cosmo on the house:)

Unknown said...

Hello Marcus,

I was diagnosed with Crohn's last Friday and for me it's been a relief - when you consider what it might've been. I've worked out that I've probably had it since about 2003 - when I started getting backache, sinusitis, persistent colds. It was only diagnosed because my doctor reluctantly decided to send me for the old poop-cam after my third visit for Norimode and Buscopan in 12 months. I still have to wait for biopsy results but I'm feeling alot brighter already - knowing is half the battle - and what a battle it's going to be!
Chin up
Gary

Chadwick said...

Sorry to hear you were having such a rough time. It's been 2 months since this post so I hope you are feeling better.

I've been officially diagnosed with Crohn's for 15 years, but have probably had signs & symptoms that go back 25 years.

Wanted to let you know about a new blog we are putting together for Crohn's patients and their families. We are inviting Crohn's patients to come and share their thoughts & ideas on this blog. If you think you would be ineterested in writing on this blog, email me and let me know. We would love to have you be a part of what we are doing. We are trying to tell as many people as we can about this. The more writers we have, the better it is for everyone.

The blog is: www.confessionsofacrohnspatient.blogspot.com.

Hope to see you there.

Anonymous said...

yea I had that for 7 years and the doctors told me there was no cure. I found pure aloe vera juice helped prevent an attack, not a cure, I also found buscopan was a godsent to treat the symptoms of an attack, again however, that's not a cure, then purley by mistake I discovered that a prolonged water fast cured it, I have been free from it now for 15 years and now my stomach is so good I can eat anything and I will not get sick, ever! Actually if I eat the same food as others who get food poisoning I am now the only one who remains healthy, what a contrast. I also buy and take a range of probiotics, you need to get the ones from the health food store that are kept chilled, they are amazing! Any how, google water fasting (not juice fasting) if you want a cure and can stick to it for 2 or 3 weeks you will be very happy. Following the very slow reintroduction of foods at the end of the fast ( most important part ) recolonize your gut and intestines with a range of bioavailable probiotic flora. Like I said I had it for 7 years and I have been cured from it for 15 years so if you want a cure and have good will power there you go.

Anonymous said...

Great article as for me. It would be great to read something more about that matter. Thank you for giving this material.
Sexy Lady
Busty escorts

after bypass surgery said...

know Crohn's can't be knocked out like that. But I just want to tell you to keep the light of your soul shining through your writing. That's where the proof of God is.