From the Editor

 Hi all!

I wanted to give everyone an update because I haven't been posting as much as I normally do.

I have been going through some changes in 2021, some good, some bad.

My time has been busy with work but also school.  Yes, I went back to school (last February).  I have been studying to be a medical transcriptionist.  I am into my 4-week practicum right now so almost done.  Since 1988 I have read all my medical notes, surgeries, clinical notes, nurses' notes, etc, and felt that I can do that too.  It's been fun these past 10 months learning about different medical conditions, both physical and mental, but also very busy and challenging.  

I needed time off work last September/October for health reasons but when I was ready to return, they fired me.  They said my position as the office manager was made redundant but...well...no comment.  One thing I can say is the absence of stress from that job has been amazing!! I was with them for 18 years and my "boss" was very cold when they called me in to say sorry, but you're done here.  Good riddance.

I have also started writing articles for a health website but I will update that later as nothing has been published yet.

So, things are turning around. I'm still dealing with my ostomy (leaks, skin, etc) but it is what it is and I will need to learn to live with my new normal of Crohn's.  The biggest change is the absence of pain. It's a weird feeling and I realize it's strange to say so, but I have had pain for 32 years straight and just 1 year of no pain.  It's great, just different, especially not having to keep T3's "in stock" at home.  I haven't taken any painkillers since December of 2020.  The perianal abscesses and fistulas are gone for now and I can actually sit on hard surfaces again (but I still prefer a cushion 😁). My kidneys are correcting themselves finally and my B12, D, and iron are the best they have ever been in my entire life.  I can't thank my surgeon enough for giving my life new meaning and I told her so a few weeks ago.  She told me it made her day to hear it.

So, all in all, things are turning around finally and I hope to post more now that school is coming to an end soon.

Thanks for the messages and for everyone reading my blog!

-Vern

  

You Might Be a Crohnie If...

 If you begin to panic when your supply of toilet paper drops below 10 rolls

...you might be a Crohnie.

One year ago.....

 As we watch Hocus Pocus (as we do each year) and the kids carving pumpkins in the kitchen, I think back to just 1 year ago where on Halloween day my doctor called to tell me to get to the ER as soon as possible... I was in acute renal failure.

To take you all back, I had temporary loop ileostomy surgery in September and was recovering at home while waiting for permanent ileostomy and proctectomy surgery (aka Barbie/Ken butt).  I needed to wait as I had multiple fistulas with my perianal disease and the temporary ostomy diverted stool away from the rectum in hopes to calm it down.  During my recovery at home, and unknown to me, I was losing too much liquid through my ostomy.  Was it watery? Yes.  Did I know any better? No.  I called my surgeon several times and was told it was part of the recovery.  But when I started to have dizzy spells, nausea, vomiting and passed out, I called my doctor requesting blood work.  The next day he called, it came back showing a GFR of 4 (low) and creatinine of 1049 (high) and to get to the hospital asap and he will call ahead for them to expect me.  I was in acute renal failure because of my ostomy.  I went by ambulance in case I passed out along the way, but I didn't.

I was put on drugs and saline as soon as I entered the ER and was waiting for a call from my surgeon at a different hospital.  I was in this ER for Halloween waiting and the next day I was transferred via ambulance to another hospital to treat my kidneys and await my other surgeries.

Fast forward 1 year.  The ostomy and proctectomy surgeries went well (6 hours).  I spent 27 days in hospital including my first time in the HICU (High Intensity Care Unit) because of my kidneys and blood transfusions.  It has taken 11 months for my GFR and creatinine to come back to "normal".  Still low, but way out of danger and looks like no kidney damage.  I now have a new doctor to add to my list, a nephrologist.  Side note... all my doctors (family, surgeon, specialist, nephrologist, and urologist) are all women and I thank them all.

It was 1 year ago when I got scared again for my health.  The thought of renal failure on top of everything else I've been through with Crohn's scared the hell out of me.  I was so close to either needing dialysis or a kidney transplant.  I am glad I requested blood work.

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You May Be An Ostomate If...

 If you subconsciously check your bag while driving through the country because of the pungent air

...you might be an ostomate

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You May Be An Ostomate If...

If you are having a get-together with family and friends and all you can think to yourself is, 

"I'm totally pooping right now"

....you may be an ostomate.

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"crohns & stuff"

 All of us that suffer from IBD have secondary illnesses (and sometimes 3rd, 4th, and 5th) in combination with our main diagnosis.  Extra "stuff" so to speak.

So having said that, I introduce my "crohns & stuff" collection on my Redbubble page.

Simple. Straight forward. Black and white. 3 words say it all.

Please come by and take a look!!

artistslaine.redbubble.com 

Thanks!!

COVID 19 3rd Dose Booster

Crohn's and Colitis Canada has recommended that people who have IBD on medications that suppress the immune system be included with other immunocompromised people getting the 3rd booster shot in the fight against COVID 19.  See here:

COVID 19 BOOSTER

As does the Crohns Colitis Foundation:

COVID 19 BOOSTER

And Crohns and Colitis UK:

COVID 19 BOOSTER

Please contact your local governments to push adding immunosuppressed IBD patients to their 3rd dose lists.  With the Delta variant becoming more and more prevalent, and with the millions of people NOT vaccinated (for whatever reason) the risk of catching COVID is still there.

You May Be An Ostomate If....

 If you say "Ahhhhhhhh...." when taking off your ostomy belt when you get home from work

...you may be an ostomate. 

You May Be An Ostomate If...

 If airport security asks, "Can I look in your bag?" and you lift your shirt

...you may be an ostomate.

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All Together Now

 If you would like to read all my "You Might Be a Crohnie" lines, they are all on one page.

From the main page, click on the "You Might Be a Crohnie" tab, or click here:

You Might Be a Crohnie

See how many you can relate to 😁