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!!

Another Great Article

I found this great article written by Cedar Burnett, who has IBS.  For people like us, it's a must read

http://www.salon.com/2011/04/26/when_nature_calls_mortifying_disclosure/

http://cedarburnett.com

Thanks Cedar!!

Crohn's Disease Breakthrough !!!!!

Take a look at this:

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Researchers+make+Crohn+disease+breakthrough/6323110/story.html

Could this be the beginning of the end for Crohn's....?
Will Researchers prevail.....?
Will the mice break out of the lab and open a cheese factory....?

Very exciting news for Crohnies around the world!
Fingers crossed.

Stay tuned...........

R.I.P

So, this post is a little different than most and is not Crohn's related at all.  My family lost another great lady in my Aunt, who passed away suddenly a few days ago.  As of yet, we still don't know why.
My Auntie Sue will be missed and was taken far too soon, at only 63.  I wish I could be there, but as she lives in England, I will not be able to go.  My thoughts and prayers are with my cousins and uncle.  I don't know what more to say other than she was a great lady and was there for me when I needed it whenever I visited.  She and I drove the same.....she would always "talk" to the cars in front of her telling them to hurry up, etc.

Gonna miss you.

Simply Abstract

I did this one last year.  It's in my dining room and incorporates colors from my living room and dining room.  The actual size is 30" x 40" x 1.5" simply called "Home"

Booster Juice and the Magic School Bus

My sons have been bugging me for months about going to the local "juicer" called Booster Juice so they can get a drink.  So this past weekend, I relented and took them to the store.  You'd think I was taking them to an all expense paid trip to Toy R Us....wow were they excited!
After explaining the hundreds of combinations, one son chose a small "Funky Monkey" which is a smoothie with Soy chocolate milk, frozen yogurt and bananas.  The other son chose a small strawberry-banana with frozen yogurt smoothie.  Well $8.40 later, yes $8.40 they ended up drinking about a quarter of each over the next few days.  Trying to explain to my two sons though, why daddy can't drink them was interesting.  Everything in that place I can't drink.  The smoothies have yogurt and the juices, well...they're juices and unless I water them down, I'll be going to the bathroom for days!  Needless to say, we won't be going back.

I had an idea though about how to explain it to them in terms they would understand.....with TV.
I put on a DVD from the Magic School Bus series and they were talking about the digestive system.  When they got to the part about the intestines, I paused it and showed them on the TV what, exactly was going on with daddy.  They showed the 'School Bus' in the intestinal tract and I explained that what they were seeing on the screen, daddy no longer had (some small and most of the large intestines).  And sometimes when daddy ate, it felt like a school bus was driving through his tummy.  "Where did it go"? was one response.  I tried to explain that daddy had to have it cut out, and showed them again my scar.  "Can't they put a new one back"?  Oh I wish was my response.  But since I explained it to them, they are a little more chatty about it especially when we eat.  "Can you eat this daddy"?  "Will this hurt you"?  "Is the school bus going through"?

Oh I love the innocence.....

I pray to God everyday they never have to go through what I have been through and am going through.

For Sale

I've decided to put my artwork on the block.  Well, for sale anyway.  Go to my other page...

http://artistslaine.blogspot.com

and the paintings are listed with the prices for originals and prints on stretched canvas.
If you're interested, message me and I can tell you how much it will be to ship (depending on where you live)

Thanks to everyone who already own some of my pieces. 
I'm glad you like them as much as I do.

It's All About Me (A HiStory)

So, I thought people might want to know a little about me.........

I was born in a small town in British Columbia, Canada after my parents immigrated from southern England.  The first born in Canada for our family, which would eventually grow by 3 more.  My upbringing was like any other, nothing out of the ordinary.  Played soccer and music, but eventually ended up in competitive figure skating for many years and from that, coaching.
My life changed forever in 1988, when, after a bout of severe abdominal pain turned into 6 months of endless doctors visits only to discover I was living with and finally diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.  Coming as a total shock, as I rarely got sick or even went to the doctor.  I soon discovered that having Crohn's felt like I had the plague.  I lost "friends" and girlfriends because THEY couldn't "handle it", what a joke.  Even complete strangers would ask if I had AIDS because of the drastic weight loss.  I went from a healthy 175lbs to 115lbs at my worst.   I couldn't hold a job and was either in hospital, on unemployment or welfare.  I had bouts of depression and the "why me", to the point of seriously thinking of suicide......I'm glad I didn't.
Today my life has done a 360.  I'm happier, "healthier", and living with Crohn's and not letting Crohn's control me.  It's taken years of trial and error with foods, drinks and meds, but I think I'm getting closer to figuring it all out and maybe I will never discover it all, but I'll get it right.....maybe.
I met a wonderful woman who didn't care about my illness as it was part of me and that's what she was interested in.  I fell in love with her smile.  We married and now have two great boys.  I've taken everything I have inside me, everything that's happened to me and everything that I have experienced and turned that, into art. 
I started painting in 2010 as part of a personal "art therapy" and I take how I'm feeling and try and convey that on canvas.  Sometimes I go months without painting and then there are times it all comes out in several pieces at once.  Music, figure skating, Crohn's and art put together to make different and interesting abstract pieces.

Crohn's chose me, I didn't choose Crohn's.  Let's see where this ride takes us.......