Crohn's Pain Scale

I LOVE this!! 

"When a doctor asks you to describe your pain level from 1 - 10, show them this..."

"....and then point to the one that you're feeling"

Crohnie Quote

Saw this on another site and just had to repost.
I think it would look great on a T-shirt........

I've Got Guts

unfortunately they're defective.

New Work

Out of the 'studio' for April......actually, let's call it 'April'

'April'

2012

20" x 16"

artistslaine@yahoo.ca

Crohnie Quote of the Day

Emotionally, I'm done.
     Mentally, I'm drained.
          Physically, I smile.

Stress and Anxiety

Here's a question for you.....

Picture this.  Dinner is done, kids are bathed and in bed, the wife is in bed and comfortable reading a good book, I'm laying on the couch and comfortable, glass of water and snacks on the coffee table beside me, TV is on, it's nice and quiet.......so why am I stressed and anxious?

...............it's hockey playoff time.

Go Canucks!!

Crohn's and Abscesses

I've suffered alot throughout my 20+ years of having Crohn's disease and I've put up with alot of things relating to this f 'ing disease, but it's the abscesses, fissures and fistulas that I can't stand.

I've been doing so well lately but this past week, I've developed yet another abscess.  But it's the type of abscess that's discouraging.  It's a form or peri-anal abscess.  Has anyone ever had a intramuscular peri-anal abscess before?  This will be my second, if it doesn't go away.  The intramuscular part developed over the past two days.  I can't see it, by I can feel it.  It's bad enough I have a fistula in generally the same area, but then add this to it......I can't seem to win. 

The last time I developed this, it ended up with surgical intervention, alot of time off work and at least a week in hospital, not to mention cutting me open and leaving it open to heal.  Fun.

It takes to saying "Pain in the Ass" to a whole new meaning.  Maybe the Imuran isn't working anymore.  Thank god I have some T 3's to take....it's not a comfortable feeling.

Think it's time to do some painting......

Ahhhh, Crap!

Who needs a doctor.

It's funny, after all these years I can tell when I'm getting a flare up even before the obvious signs show up, like swelling and pain.

'Normal' people can tell when they are getting sick simply by having a runny nose, headache, stuffed up, sore throat, watery eyes, red eyes, cough, diarrhea, etc. 

Me?

 I can tell by having a bowel movement.  Yep, that's right.  I can tell that I'm about to get sick....by sitting on the toilet.

It's not very scientific, but simply, it's the change in movements.  Changes in frequency, color, smell and most importantly....gas.  The more gas I start having, combined with the others, I can tell that in just a few days, I'm going to have a flare.  The only thing I can't tell, is the severity.  I know this now because a day later, I got a flare right at my surgical site (as usual). 

I never realized just how talented I really was!
Like I said, who needs a doctor.

It would be nice to be 'normal' again

Awareness

So, March was Disability Awareness Month, for those of you that didn't know, and now that it is April, I'd like to share with you a posting from a fantastic group called "InvisAbilites".  This non-profit group was started by a fantastic woman wanting to bring awareness about people with disabilities that you cannot physically "see", like, in my case, Crohn's Disease.  But it covers many many other ailments as well.  This group is growing and if you would like to start up a Chapter in your area, you only need to get hold of the group through their site. 
Here is her latest post on the sites blog.....

http://invisabilities.org/2012/03/

Thanks again Julie!!