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 disease. It does not own me.
Kresha Yamamoto
California
Submitted 7-27-2012
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
