You Might Be A Crohnie

If you have ever rolled your eyes at someone who has told you "I know how you feel" and they DON'T have Crohn's
...you might be a Crohnie

Have You Ever Been Let Go...?

With this recent story out of the U.S. and accusations against Amazon, click here

Fired Amazon employee with Crohn’s disease files lawsuit over lack of bathroom access

It begs the question, has anyone else been discriminated at work because of their illness or condition?  I know I have and it got to the point where I was fired so I filed a Human Rights complaint against the company because they knew about my Crohn's Disease when they hired me AND it was actually my second time round with this particular company.
But after many, many months back and forth with lawyers, with the he said, she said, the case was finally dropped....only because the company closed its doors and no longer existed. I had no case if there was no company.
The point is, if this happens to you AND the employer knew about your condition, don't let it go.
You have to FIGHT for your rights !!

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you can go through a whole roll of toilet paper in just one day
...you might be a Crohnie

Remicade : Day 2384

Second infusion at the higher dose. I don't notice any difference, other than it really knocks me down after. I was very tired the next day and now this is the second day and I feel drained. Could be something else maybe, but we'll see after the next one in March.
I don't know about anyone else, but when I go for my infusion, I like it a bit quiet. This last infusion, some 20 something came in near the end of mine and sat in the chair next to me, which is all fine and dandy, but then proceeded to Facetime his buddy, without headphones and without turning the volume down. Like it was it house, or standing outside, or something. His mum came in to ask if he wanted anything and he basically ignored her and kept talking to his friend. They were both swearing back and forth, etc.
The lack of consideration and the utter rudeness to his mum I think is the sign of the times for 20 somethings. Not all, but a good many. It's not the first time I've experienced this.
My kids won't and aren't brought up that way. Have some respect.

Crohnie Quote Of The Day

You Might Be A Crohnie

If you need a rest after having a rest
... you might be a Crohnie

Vitamins and Minerals

One of the problems with having Crohn's Disease (one of many), is the fact that you have problems absorbing the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs.  Over the years, and alot of trial and error, I was finally able to find a multi vitamin that does not cause me pain and discomfort. I think the Remicade (Infliximab) has alot to do with it. The over the counter multi's have too many "fillers" which I think was causing all the problems. Of course the one I find that works, I have to get from a doctor friend as they are only available through health practitioners. What I found interesting was that these multi's have zero fillers and are derived directly from fruits and vegetables.... that's it, which in a way, makes lots of sense.  They are hard to get and cost more, but they work....for me. On top of the multi's, I also take other supplements. I take B50 complex, D, B12, Magnesium, Iron and Omega 3.
As a Crohn's patient, we need these supplements, but everyone is different so it will take a while to find what works for you. It's taken many many years to find what combination works. I dont take all of them at once, I take some one day and some the next day. I found that it I take them all each day, I get some pain and discomfort.
Even if you think they arent working, still take them, you never know.

You Might Be A Crohnie

If you found out baby wipes are not just for babies
...you might be a Crohnie

Crohnie Quote of the Day : Strength

It's the first day of 2019 and even though I'm not a religious man, I do like the following quote from the serenity prayer that everyone should follow, chronic illness sufferers especially.

God grant me the serenity 
To accept the things I cannot change; 
Courage to change the things I can; 
And wisdom to know the difference. 

Living one day at a time; 
Enjoying one moment at a time; 
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; 


Happy new year to everyone and all the best to a happy, and healthy 2019 !

'Twas The Night Before a Crohnie Christmas

Every year for the past 14 years, I read "Twas the night before Christmas" to my kids on Christmas eve before they go to bed....here's the Crohn's Disease version that I don't read to my kids...
***warning: language***

‘Twas the night before a Crohnie Christmas, quiet as a mouse
Trying to get to the bathroom without disturbing the spouse.
The TP was hung by the toilet with care,
In hopes that I don’t run out whilst I sat there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
I hope I’m not too loud lest I wake their sleepy heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
But I had to get up, I needed to crap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my throne to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Still pulling up my underwear to cover my ass.

I live on the coast so there wasn’t any snow
Just dreary wet grass that I can see below.
When, what to my very tired eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

A decrepit old driver, not lively or quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
He didn’t look well, he must be inflamed,
But he whistled, and shouted, and called his reindeer by name!

"Now Crohns! Now, Colitis! Now, Pain and Grouch!
On, Abscess! On, Fistula! On, Ostomy and J-Pouch!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

And then, in an instant, I heard on the roof,
The scratching and farting of that big, silly aof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his toe,
He looked very fatigued, he moved really slow.
A bundle of toys he had flung on my chair,
He looked in pain, it must be a flare.

His eyes, how they squinted! His face quite scary!
He let out a fart, not pleasant or airey!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
I was getting prepared, he was gonna let another one go.

The bags under his eyes, I saw his fatigue
That comes from living with this dam Crohn's Disease.
He had a broad face, (must be the Prednisone),
If he didn’t hurry, he would soon need the throne.

He was chubby and plump, a right smelly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
The moon face, mood swings and twitch of the head,
Soon gave me to know it was for sure the Pred.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to the bathroom,
And filled my toilet with a splat! and a KABOOM!
And laying his fingers, covering his nose,
Giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, he now weighed so much less,
He thanked me and apologized for the big mess.
But when I heard him exclaim, I realized he knew my plight,
“I have Crohn’s Disease too, it’s going to be one HELL of a night!!”

Merry Christmas everyone, hopefully it is disease-free. At least for one day

-Vern