Crohnie Quote of the Day

 It's okay NOT to be okay.

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you have a bowel movement every morning at 8 AM, but don't wake up til 9 AM
...you might be a Crohnie

It's in the Bag

32 years of fighting Crohn's disease has lead me to this... I need surgery for a permanent ostomy.

This is probably one of the hardest things to write about for me, it's taken me a couple of weeks to figure out what to say.
I need the surgery because of the peri anal abscesses, fissures and fistula's I have been dealing with for 30 years. I started getting them just 2 years after diagnosis. We have tried every medication attempting to fix these problems as well as deal with flares and pain.
Nothing seems to have worked, even the biologics. Remicade for 8 years and Humira since January.

My GI and I have talked about this surgery for years now, but I have learned to live with these problems most of my life and the thought of major surgery.... again... just didn't appeal to me.
I had an MRI done recently and it showed there is an abscess "collection" deep inside (that I cant feel) that has tripled in size since my previous MRI in 2017. It's not big, only about 2-3 cm, but that, and the fact my GI is concerned about the possibility of hidden cancer, made the decision for me to suck it up and get it done.

I have one of the best colorectal surgeons doing the surgery, so I feel more at ease about it. She has become and expert in the TaTME (Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision) technique and I will come out of the surgery with a permanent ileostomy and no butthole (Barbie butt).  I now have multiple tests to be done including blood work, CT scan and yet another colonoscopy. So, knowing all that, I have no idea WHEN the surgery will be.  Will I be ready? Sure...physically. I've had so many surgeries, another one is just that... another one. Will I be ready mentally? Not so sure. I haven't had major surgery in over 16 years for my 5th bowel resection and that one left me in hospital for 3 weeks. I remember the length of time to recover AFTER I got out of hospital and the thought of doing it all over again, just doesn't sit well...in my head. Every one I have talked to who have had ostomy surgery, say it is the best thing they have done for their Crohn's or Colitis and have no regrets.

And so, the next stage of my Crohn's journey begins.....

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you haven't had a "normal" bowel movement since the 80's
... you might be a Crohnie

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Crohnie Quote of the Day

"You don't need to be perfect, just be better than you were yesterday"

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2020 WEGO Health Awards

Endorsements are open for this year's WEGO Health Awards, recognizing health advocates for many health issues.  I would appreciate your vote, but there are hundreds of other great advocates to endorse as well.

I am nominated for:

Best in Show: Blog
Best in Show: Facebook
Patient Leader Hero

You can vote directly for me here:
https://www.wegohealth.com/crohnsguy/awards

Thanks and good luck to my fellow nominees!!

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you think the noise from an MRI machine could be used at a Rave...
you might be a Crohnie

Crohn-aversary Month

Back when I was finally diagnosed in 1988, I started going through some major mental health issues that of course I kept inside. Nowadays, I tell people who are newly diagnosed, to seek out help and with the large IBD online community, it's alot easier to find it. I think with COVID 19, seeking out the help is more prevalent than ever. It's easy to say, "just get some help", it's another to actually getting enough guts to get it. I know.
I am not 100% free, but I handle it when I need it, seeking out help from family and online IBD friends who know exactly what I'm going through and I thanks everyone. We've all been through it and we all need help.
I started getting symptoms at the beginning of 1988, which means it been almost 32 and a half years with Crohn's symptoms and disease.
That's 11,844 days.

11,844.

You Might Be a Crohnie

One of my favorites...

If you can actually spell G-A-S-T-R-O-E-N-T-E-R-O-L-O-G-I-S-T.....
you might be a Crohnie

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Crohn's and Colitis Virtual Walk 2020

The Crohn's and Colitis Canada Gutsy Walk was suppose to be today, but COVID19 has changed when and where we will be.

It will now be virtually on August 23, 2020. I'm going to be walking around my neighborhood with my Fitbit.

I have my shirt ready...

I have my mask ready...

I hope everyone will help me raise money for more research and programs for Crohn's and Colitis Canada.

You can donate here...

https://crohnsandcolitiscanada.akaraisin.com/GutsyWalk2020/vernonlaine

I thank everyone in advance!!

Let's find that cure shall we!!