Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Why I'm here

Not "why I'm here", like on Planet Earth. "Why I'm here", on Blogger.

I'm a Crohnie. I have Crohn's Disease. This is only one facet of my busy life as a wife, mother, full-time employee, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, weirdo, and person.

I was diagnosed six years ago, after nearly 2 years of being sick and in pain - a lot - and subsequently mis-diagnosed. After having an intestinal resection in May 2005 (my terminal ileum was removed, as was my appendix), my life improved significantly. Since then, I've learned to adjust to my new normal. I've become proficient at being patient and being a patient. I've learned to assert my self and advocate for my own care. I've had the simultaneously fortunate and unfortunate experience of learning who my friends are (and aren't). I finished my graduate degree and had two (healthy) children. I've adjusted my diet, exercise routine (LOL, and lack-thereof), medications, and treatment. And through this I have learned to manage my disease and my life as my symptoms wax and wane.

I've had a recent uptick in symptoms again, quite suddenly and unexpectedly. The result was two hospitalizations (including 2 days in ICU), transfusions, and most painfully - time away from our two sons, ages 4 and 18 months. This has found me feeling more isolated and frustrated again, and looking for a way to balance my emotions as much as my physical symptoms.

And so I am here to tap an outlet. It's a place for me to log my ideas and vent my frustrations. It's a place to share my story and the ways that I have found (or attempted) to strike balance in life. Maybe someone will find my story helpful. Maybe I will find their story helpful.

My name is Heidi, and I am a Crohnie.