Crohn’s Disease Stories

Kresha’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Crohn’s Colitis)

May
17
2013
Kresha's Story (Crohn's) LR

In 1997, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Colitis. The doctors couldn't decide on one, so they called it both. I was 20, newly married and literally bleeding to death. In 1999, I had my first of several surgeries. Total colectomy with ileostomy. One and a half years later, I had my second surgery. Ileo-anal j-pouch and ileostomy and a tubal ligation. I had never been pregnant but was so ill that the doctors agreed that it would be safer if I never got pregnant. It was heartbreaking. Six months later the ileostomy was reversed. In 2005, after two more surgeries for abscesses and fistulas, I graduated nursing school. After 11 years of marriage, my husband divorced me for another woman with kids. I remarried in May of 2011 and am now 35. With the help of a phenomenal group of physicians, I gave birth to twins 6 months ago. I am a Certified Emergency Nurse and have been an Emergency RN for 7 years now. Nothing will stop me from living my life and reaching my goals. I own my … [Read more...]

Ann’s Fight Like A Girl Story (Crohn’s Disease)

May
13
2013
Ann's Story (Crohn's Disease)

My name is Ann Robison. I’m currently 19, but was diagnosed with my 'speed bumps' when I was in 8th grade. What, you may ask, are speed bumps? I don’t like the word disease. I feel like using the word 'disease' makes it easier for people to discriminate; where as a speed bump is just something you can overcome without having someone saying 'Oh, she has a disease'. Well to start off, I had gotten extremely sick in 8th grade. We had just thought it was acid reflux. Later, we found out it was juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. 'Great', I thought. One speed bump, it’s not that bad. Unfortunately,  it only got worse. A couple months down the road I continued to lose weight, and have extreme stomach pain. I also had extreme dry eyes and mouth. I had a biopsy on a salivary gland, and we had found out that I also have Sjogren’s syndrome. After that, I still hadn’t felt any better. When I was starting junior year of high school, my stomach pain became unbearable.  I could never … [Read more...]

Monica’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Crohn’s Disease)

Jul
27
2012
Crohn's Disease Stories

My story may not pull at your heart strings, but it is my story. In 2003, I became a Registered Nurse. I was finally doing what I enjoyed. I got to take care of people and get paid for it. I took care of my patients, my friends, and, most importantly, my family. Never did I ever imagine that one day I would rely on others to take care of me. In January of 2010, that all changed. At the age of 29, I was being sent for a CT scan of my abdomen. I had been in pain for 2 days and, finally, one of the doctors I worked with said that was enough and sent me for the test. I didn’t know what to think. I just thought it was a pulled muscle or, at worst, my gallbladder. The results came back suggestive of a Crohn’s flare up. I remember thinking "whatever, I don’t have that". I faxed the results to a GI doctor and 4 hours later I was being admitted to the hospital for more testing. The final diagnosis: Crohn’s disease. During my stay in the hospital, I missed my son’s 4th birthday … [Read more...]

Mirna’s Fight Like a Girl Story (Crohn’s Disease)

May
20
2012
Purple Ribbon LR

Hi, my name is Mirna. I am a 35-year-old woman and I've been battling Crohn’s Disease since age nine. I am a mother of six and struggle every day with my illness. I also suffer from depression, anxiety and I'm bipolar. I consider myself a fighter on most days. I say most because some days are hard. I've gone from taking medicine by mouth to now having a form of chemo called Remecade due to the fact that pills were no longer working. I get my strength from my husband and kids, and not to forget my mother, they are very supportive and I love them very much. Although some days I feel like giving up due to the consistent vomiting, diarrhea, and chronic pain and fatigue, I am still here and I thank God and my family for that. My anxiety is bad right now due to me being sick on and off. Right now, I'm a little stable but I worry what tomorrow may bring. Then I see stories about women that are so strong and it gives me strength to keep fighting. To all those that have joined this website … [Read more...]