A 2011 Reflection....

As the close of 2011 approaches I find myself reflecting on the major issues of 2011. Things that come to mind...

• Buying a car. I LLOOVVEE my little Green Ford Fiesta! This is definitely one of the biggest moments of my 2011 year. Buying a car is one of the biggest steps you can take in becoming an adult and the freedom it's given me in incomparable to anything else in my current life.
• Ending Prenisone/Entocort. This one was hard for me because I felt like someone was taking away my security blanket. When I was on them I was pain-freeand happy and going off of them I was afraid I was going to get very sick again and Imuran wasn't going to cut it.
• In contrast, going off of Imuran was also a highlight of my year. I was on it December 2010-December 2011 and let me tell you it was the year from hell! And I don't use that term lightly. I'm glad to be rid of it.
• Remicade was a big part of my year this year. Not even just the act and anticipation of GETTING it but the prep and all the red tape of getting government approval and funding. And that's not even the stress of making three hours available every 8 weeks with my busy job.
• Staying in the hospital overnight for three nights was a big event for me this year aswell. I've never had to do that before and believe me, I never have any ambition to do it again soon....

....just a few thoughts to round out my year. Happy New Year to everyone that should find this post. May 2012 find you well and prosperous. And I know you wish me the same too. To end off, here are some of my New Years Resolutions....

Gee, I Hope This Doesn't Interfere....

....with MY REMICADE ON THURSDAY!!!! I have a wicked cold that settled in within an hour last night. I was sitting on the floor cutting patterns pieces for some sewing I was doing and I got really dizzy for about 5 minutes. I thought I was going to puke but then I felt fine and half an hour later I got the throat and 10 minutes after that I got the nose. You know the nose. The one that won't blow but won't stop dripping either? Ick. I think I'll be alright. I just hope I don't get a fever.

I'm NeoCitraned, Vaselined, and Vick'sed up! Bedtime!

I better get better soon or this is what I'll be getting on December 25th! But I could really use it now! 

I've Never Been So Insulted....

....by the fact that my medication can dictate when and when not I'm allowed to take it. And this medication's name is REMICADE. Sure I've been on lot's of different medications but none that decide when it enters my body. A week ago Sunday I was put onto anti-biotics to fight a bladder infection and Remicade clearly states that you can't get an infusion while on anti-biotics. So here I am a week after I was supposed to get my next infusion, in pain.

Not that I'm complaining....


Also, this is very funny and made me laugh....

Bye-Bye Unholiest of Medications....

Goooooooooooood-bye Imuran! I won't miss the memory loss that you bring, the weekly/monthly blood tests you dictate, the tiredness that plagues me to no end, the irreversible liver damage, and the heart palpitations that were annoying me (literally) to death! We had a good 12 month run but it's not me, it's you. Now go and bug somebody else already....


Now ready for the real story? I went to my Gastro. doc. on Wednesday afternoon and she said that based on my last colonoscopy (September 29th) that I could stop Imuran. I was ecstatic at this! It's only been three days off of this medication and I already feel like a thousand bucks! I now take no more daily pills other than pain management drugs and anti-biotics as needed for infections.
She said that a year almost to the day before she couldn't even get the scope up far enough to finish the procedure and this time it passed through easily. She said that there is 1cm. of scar tissue around the 28cm. length section of my Ileum but it shouldn't cause me any issues if I stay on Remicade.
Which brings me to that. Remicade. She said we will continue with it. That's it. Easy in and out in 10 minute appointment. No fuss, no muss. Easy.

My final thoughts are this. I am glad I am staying on Remicade over Imuran. Imuran did nothing for me except cause me more pain and side effects. I am glad that hopefully my little Crohnsie Bit is going to remain dormant for at least a little while if not forever (hey a girl can dream can't she?). I am glad to be alive.

This is not me. It's dreadfully cold out here today considering it's winter in Canada.

This is just how I feel on the inside.



Happy Crohn's and Colitis Week!

To all my fellow Crohnies out there and all who give us your undying support! December 1st-7th is Crohn's and Colitis week. Wear some purple to show your support! ;)

IBD PSA....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmXvUHMJjL4

A Letter To My Intestines....

Dear Intestines,

    I would like to know why you are upset all of the time. Have I done something to offend you? Or are you just a more difficult organ to get along with. Kidneys, Brain and Heart get along with me. Heck, even Liver got along alright until you decided to get angry and make me ingest Imuran. I bet he doesn't like you now.

    I am now speaking directly at you oh so distressed Ileum or as I have been lovingly calling you "My Little Crohnsie Bit". Seriously dude? What's your problem? I try to feed you right with wholesome food and BANG: REJECTED. So I try to see if you would like a treat- BANG: REJECTED AGAIN! It's getting to a point where I wish you would just leave me alone. What have I ever done to you? OK, OK, so I may have fed you a couple of Salads here and there. But you haven't been forced into leafy greens in over a year! Give it up already! And what's this about not absorbing my B12? Are you trying to make me fatigued, depressed and have no memory to speak of? That can end at any moment you know because your little friends Imuran and Remicade are doing enough of these themselves thank you very much.

    Which brings me to my next complaint. Remicade. Do you think I like having to take three hours out of my day every couple of months to go and sit in a filthy clinic to get a biologic drug pumped into me and to be poked and prodded at all the while? No, I do not. It costs a lot and is a great inconvenience to myself.

    While I love you dearly for all that you do for me dear Crohnsie Bit I am going to have to ask you to cease and desist by December 7th. At which point I will be speaking with my Gastroenterologist about removing you from the premises. This is a final notice.

Love Always,

My Tired, Annoyed, Aching, Sore Body

Slacker....

OK OK. So I know I'm a slacker. Sue me. I'm pretty busy these days. I'll fill y'all in later. Right now I'm going to bed. Night y'all!

P.S. It snowed tonight!
P.S.P.S. It has not been a good pain week. Once again, fill y'all in later.... *SIGH*

A Low Spoon Day....

Pretty painful and nauseous over the past couple of days. And after you read this you'll understand what I mean and what the title of this post means....

http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory-written-by-christine-miserandino/

Entocort Out, Asthma Back In....

Had to start puffers again tonight. Figures. Prednisone and Entocort were seeming to do the trick but a year and a half later here I am. I am hoping it was only a "fluke" for tonight but we will see......

Medicated Monday! Woot!

So I was inspired by another blog this weekend and am only getting around to fulfill it now. I am going to share most of my medications with you....(I'll go top to bottom, left to right)

Dicetel: For my IBS. It's a muscle relaxer for your intestines. I only use when needed. I've been on it since September 2011. The only side effects it causes it a bit of acid reflux when you take it and then lay down too fast.
Entocort: An immunosuppressor. It gives you a shot of prednisone right to your Ileum(where my Crohn's is located). I now take one a day but have been slowly tapering off. I have been on it since February. Only side effects are sometimes(when a bit inflamed) you can feel the capsule open in your gut and it's a bit weird.
Reactine: For allergies. An anti-histamine. I take 1 pill a day year round while some people only need it in the spring/summer or fall. I've been on it since I can remember. The only side effects are that sometimes when mixed with my other meds I can feel sleepy.
Hydro-Cortisone Cream: For allergic skin rashes. I only use it after I have an allergic reaction on a certain part of my skin. I have needed it off and on all of my life. No side effects but works very well on itch.
Nasonex: For sinus related allergies/infections. I use it off and on depending on worse allergy periods for me and for sinus infections. I've been on and off of it since I was 12. No side effects.
Regular Strength Tylenol: For pain/fevers. I take at least 6 pills a day(2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon, 2 at bedtime). Sometimes I switch it up and take Extra Strength Tylenol. I've always taken this. No side effects.
Tylenol 3 with Codeine: For severe pain. I take during a flare or sometimes at bed time if it's been a bad pain day to help me sleep. Been on this since August 2010. The side effects vary depending on what I take it with. Sleepiness and dizziness are the worst.
Imuran: An immunosupressor. Stops my body from attacking itself. I started at 3 pills a day but am now on 2 a day. I have been on this since December 2010 but am ending this December. The side effects for me are heart palpitations, flushed face, high blood pressure, nausea, and memory loss.
Prednisone: An Immunosuppressor. Stops my body from attacking itself. I started at 8 pills a day and slowly tapered off. I was on this from September 2010 to February 2011. There were major side effects from this drug! Major mood swings, my face went numb, my bones ached constantly, constantly hungry which causes weight gain and tons more that I can't remember right now because it also causes memory loss.
Ventolin Puffer(blue): For Asthma. Helps me breathe through an Asthma attack. I take two puffs during an Asthma attack. I've been on it since May 2007. The only side effect is about 5 minutes after I take it I get very shaky.
Flovent Puffer(orange): For Asthma. Helps prevent Asthma attacks. I take two puffs before bed. I've been on it since May 2007. I haven't needed to use this puffer since I've been put onto steroids. No side effects really.

Remicade Infusion: The highest immunosuppressor available. Keeps my Crohn's in Remission. I get an infusion every 8 weeks. I've been on it since July 2011. The only side effects are a lot of infections afterwards, drowsiness, very achy legs, and pain in the arm you get it infused in.

Those are my regular drugs. I also take Morphine, Tramacet, Toradol, ect. for extreme pain but that's only usually if I go into emerge.

I also take lot's of vitamins but that is a post for another day....

Long Weekends....

Tuesdays that think they're Mondays, ugh....

Gobble! Gobble!

In light of it being Thanksgiving Day I thought I would share all of the things I am thankful for.

• I am thankful for my family both here and gone.
• I am thankful for my friends both near and far.
• I am thankful for the wealth and comfort I can indulge in and realize not everyone has as much as I do.
• I am thankful that I know when I shut my door at night I am safe.
• I am thankful for my health, as bad as it is I know that some are suffering a lot more than me.
• I am thankful for my ability to recognise what is right and to try my best to fix what is wrong.
• I am thankful for my talents and know that on any day they could be taken away.
• I am thankful for the youthfulness that is around me everyday and wouldn't trade it for the world.
• I am thankful that I am loved.

How To "Dougie"?!?!

Today's great find! Enjoy! XD

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uf2mBVcYS10

How Sweet It Is....

♪♫Everybody sayin' whoa-o-o-o-oa how sweet it is......"♫♪


What the heck!? I don't even like Tim McGraw!?!? But this song makes me SING!!!! :O)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gAnSPp54L4

Hmmmm... That Can't Be Good....

So I fell down the stairs last night. Pretty much all 14, uncarpted, wooden, unforgiving stairs. I got my pointer and middle fingers stuck in the hand rail and pulled them out of joint but they are better today. That's going to be good for the arthritis....
I bruised my top of my foot, ankle and all round my shin pretty bad though on account of whacking them all simultaneously and then continually all the way down those 14 stairs. Needless to say those slippery socks are going in the garbage. Painkillers, ice and rest for me! G'night!

I Know I'm Kind of Out of It, But I Thought You Just Said....

....I look better!?!? After all of that? A three day stay in the hospital, all of those tests, a colonoscopy and all of that pain and I'm b-b-b-better!?!? Don't get me wrong, it's not like I WANT something to be wrong with me but I most definitely want an answer for my pain! To Be Continued....

                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

As for my colonoscopy, what a sinch! I've said it before and I'll say it again the prep is the worst part. Having your innards come blasting through your rear-end with the force of a potato being shot through a spud canon is not my ideal morning constitutional(or in this case morning and/or afternoon and/or middle of the night constitutional....)
Step 1: Ducolax aka "Oh God make the pain STOP!!!!". The worst part for me is the two Ducolax pills you have to take before bed that are supposed to give you 12 hours before "anything happens". I am lucky if I get 3 hours. I learned my lesson last time. I learned that I can only handle 1 pill, not 2. If I take 2 the pain is almost enough to make me want to curl up and die but 1 is actually pretty manageable. My mom thinks I could have got away with none of these but I did not want to move onto Step 2 without this step. You'll see why in une minute....
Step 2: Pico-Salax aka "the night you will pee from your butt". If you've never had this stuff then you are obviously oblivious to it's powers. Your mid-section will make noises you previously thought only a garberator eating a fork then a spoon for dessert could make. It's a good thing you are only allowed liquids for the whole day before. I think my final count was 37 freezies, 2 cups of chicken broth, 4 Powerades and 2 bottles of water all in a 24 hour period. My advice, this is the "stay close to the bathroom because you only have 15 seconds to get there" stage....
Step 3: The morning of aka "the easy but man am I hungry" step. Take some more Pico-Salax when you first wake up. Drink until two hours before your appointment. Go to the office. Wait while you watch all of the food commercials go by on the waiting room television. Get called in. Take all necessary measurements. Get changed into hospital gown. Talk to Anesthesiologist. Get IV. Roll into Operating Theatre. Have a whiff of oxygen. Get some happy drugs. Get the GOOD drugs. Listen to Alanis Morrisette as you drift away. Wake up. Think "When are they going to do this already?". Realize that they are done. Fart a lot. Have some juice. Fart some more. Remove IV. Get dressed. Fart again. Go home. Have another nap. Fart just a few more times for good measure.... <- By far the easiest part... ;D

Just Another Manic Monday....

....although Tuesdays are just as bad for me. You know not quite at/over the mid-week Hump. One of my daycare parents actually pointed out to me today that Wednesdays and Thursdays are worst because Fridays are just beyond reach. I don't know why but Thursdays have always just been a great day for me. You'd think it would be Fridays but nope, Thursdays.
Bored yet? I am. Colonoscopy prep tomorrow night, Wednesday liquid diet and more prep, then the big show on Thursday. Told ya. Thursdays rock. I get the day off to sleep! ;)

My Thursday afternoon....

Lazy Kind of Day....

Today's anthem....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLexgOxsZu0

Gotta love lazy Saturdays!

What A Year It Has Been....

This time last year I was laying in a hospital bed, still groggy from anethesia, listening to my gastroenterologist telling me that my life would never be the same. I have Crohn's Disease. She had performed a colonoscopy/gastroscopy proceedure on me and had come to the relization that I was very ill....

But that was a year ago and I just wanted to update my status as of today. I'm not as sick as I was 365 days ago but I am certainly nowhere near where I should be as an individual living with active Crohn's Disease. Let's see. Last year vs. this year. I started Prednisone the day I was diagnosed(a rather high dose) and tapered and after five and a half months got off of it only to end up back in the emergency room and that led to being put onto Entocort(like Prednisone but more concentrated into time realease capsules for my gut) which I am still on today(and I should have been done in mid-late April). I started Imuran on a low dose in December of last year and am on a greater dose with monthly blood tests today. Of all my drugs I take I hate this one the most. I think it messes with my brain and I have a really hard time remembering anything. I also started Remicade in July of this year. I think it doesn't work so well for me because everytime I get an infusion I end up in a flare. And it makes me catch every little cold or flu. Case in point the Strep Throat/Ear Infection combo I am currently battling....
My Future: I would like to get off all steroids including Entocort. Get off of Imuran. Continue with Remicade if it is going to start working and not make me worse. Avoid surgery if at all possible unless it comes down to no other option. I am also having another Colonoscopy on September 29th to see what kind of progress(if any) I have made. This week I am also having a bone scan done(to make sure the steroids haven't completely fried my bones) and a kidney ultrasound because they are finally now listening to my complaining about the pain in my back. My Gastro is also now testing me for Lupus because so many of the symptoms I am having are very coincidental with Lupus(extreme fatigue, bone and joint pain, the digestive symptoms, red face rash, throat rash, and photosensitivity) So we'll see how this all goes, it's a process....

On that note....

Lesson of the Day....

....when taking twin two-year olds to an amusement park, don't make them wait in hour long line ups.
Now you know.

Yay, More Tests....

I went to see me GI today. She has no clue why I had a flare and was put into the hospital. The CAT Scan showed nothing, the ultrasound showed nothing, the x-rays showed nothing and all the various bloodwork showed nothing. So........

I Get: ~Another Colonoscopy/Gastroscopy.
         ~An Ultrasound of my kidneys.
         ~An x-ray of my spine, legs and kidneys.
         ~A bone scan of my whole body.
         ~A new medication I get to try for a Spastic Colon.

So far how has your week been....

Remicade Fails, Hospital Stays and Congratulations, Summer's Over....

So my second last post was a bit of a jinx I believe. The one about the third Remicade working. Well, it didn't. In fact it made me so bad that I ended up in the hospital for 3 days.
I got the Remicade on Wednesday(August 17th) afternoon and felt OK until that night. My legs always hurt afterwards but they were SO BAD that night and on Thursday and Friday. By Saturday my right side and back were in a bit of pain but not unbareable. But on Tuesday I woke up to nausea, vomiting and extreme dizziness to the point of almost passing out. I stayed home from work and slept for most of the day and went to bed(hopped up on pain meds) hoping to be better the next morning and maybe I just had a virus.
By Wednesday morning I was in so much pain I went to emerge and they hooked me up to Morphine for the pain and Tachycardia and fluids for the dehydration I had gotten overnight. They started out telling me that they would just give me an ultrasound to see what the problem was, but the internist doctor talked to me and the Cat Scan and Gastrolux were soon to follow. And if you've had that stuff you know how bad it is. Especially when you are extrememly nauseous. I only ended up getting 1 1/2 cups of 2 done and I went for the scan. When I got back from the scan they told me they would be admitting me.
So I was admitted to a room with only one other extremely senile lady who didn't know what day it was so she didn't really bother me. She wasn't even there for most of the days anyway so it was like having a private room. I stayed from Wednesday morning to Friday morning and in that time I had ‎7 blood tests, 4 x-rays, a CT scan, ultrasound, 6 rounds of Morphine, 1 major allergic reaction, 48 hours of nothing but liquids and IV nutrition, a few rounds of anti-biotics I get released with a diagnosis of ya, it was problably an infection. Nothing showed on any of the tests so they told me I could go home if I wanted to which I said "HECK YES!!!!" It wasn't that I didn't like being in the hospital it was just that I hadn't eaten anything since that Sunday night except jello and apple juice and my flares usually last a week to ten days so I was starting to feel hungry for more than they could offer there so I opted to come home. I was discharged and home early Friday afternoon and continued to get better and by Sunday night into Monday I was pretty much 100%.
I think Remicade is not working for me as this was my worst reaction to date. The next one might really send me for a flare. I have a Gastro appointment tomorrow so we'll see what comes of it. I think I mght be in for a surgery in my VERY near future....
As a last homage to my hospital stay here are my pics. WARNING: Most of these are from when I was high off of Morphine so ya....

Just eatin' my Jell-O....

 Finally go a shower....

Sister visiting....

All of my cards from my kidlets....

My stockpile of liquid foods....

My balloons my loverly mama brought me!

My crazy pole!

Where that pole leads. To the itchiest and most sore IV site EVER!!!!!

My TV/Computer/phone combo type deal that I woudn't live without....

Juuuuuust a little high....

P.S. Summer's over which is both good and bad at the same time....



Lots to talk about.... tomorrow....

Lots to share but it's late and I'm tired so I'll post more tomorrow but for now the video I made almost a year ago and just finally got around to uploading...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLwGngmFmPw&

3rd Remicade Tomorrow and Still Skeptical....

Contrary to popular belief I AM still alive, just busy with summer and all of it's craziness. Anyway, I have my third Remicade tomorrow and I have yet to reap any benefit from it. Here's hoping....

Quick! Get me to Staples because "that was easy"!....

What was I worried about? I'm not exactly sure as I sit here in my comfy recliner. Here's how my first Remicade Infusion went down....

It all started at 9 am when my mom woke me up asking me if I wanted to go a little earlier(my original appointment was for 12:30pm). I said I would be there ASAP, got up, ate breakfast, jumped in the shower, threw on the comfiest clothes I could find and we(my mom and I) were off. On the way there I had my regrets but I told myself I'd be fine.
After quickly stoping by Shopper's to pay the government my piddly little $95 dollar deductable so that I could have a $4,000 drug I surpassed the 50 or so people in the waiting room for the Urgent Care Clinic(man that felt good, almost like a VIP!) and went into the infusion room.
I met my nurse Wendy and two older gentlemen just finishing up(I came at an odd time). Wendy was VEERRRYYYy nice! She walked me through where everything is, what she would be doing, and took my weight. Then she had me sit in the (rather comfy) chair and she did my temperature and blood pressure. It was a bit high(I think because I was a tad nervous).
Then she started my IV(on the first try! WOO HOO! I have really bad veins) and stared the saline(which I hate because it burns so freaking awfully much!). She ran over to the Pharmacy and got my Remicade solution mixed up. They brought it, she hooked it up on slow drip just to make sure I could handle it, and away I went. I sat, watched the end of The View with Weird Al, watched the news about the idiot that dove down onto a pile of rocks on the weeked, then watched Hoarders with my new friend Julie(another patient whose second time it was). The nurse(who was also semi-deaf) came over periodically to ask how I was feeling, take vitals and temperature, and turn up the drip.
Well it only took about two hours and I was done. I had a few more mgs. of fluids and out came the IV(my most unfavourite part on account of the tape and came home. No affects what-so-ever except I'm a tad tired and I have a small headache.

....so that was my exciting day of boring-ness. I hope next time it's more eventful....

Yes, I did like the musical "Annie" as a kid....

♪♫The Remicade will flow, tomorrow!
Bet your bottom dollar that, tomorrow!...There`ll be Remicade.
Just thinkin`about, tomorrow!
Gotta hang on `till, TOMORROW!!!!!
Come what may....♪♫

I Knew It Was A Long Shot....

So the Remicade Gods must have something against me.
I had to cancel my loading dose appointments on account of a "Fungus". It's on my shoulders and rib area. I went to my GI doctor yesterday and she said she wanted me to see a dermatologist before I proceed. So I settled in for a two month wait of Entocort and phone call tag with yet another doctor's office. So imagine my surprise when I get a call, not 24 hours after the referral was sent that I go on Tuesday! Awsome! So there's nothing left to do now but sit back, relax, and wait for Tuesday morning....

....and maybe paint my nails. ;D

Caterpillers and Concrete Appointments....

Well, first thing's first. I managed to save five drowning caterpillers from within the depths of a rather wet Tonka Truck. The first two were revived within mere seconds of laying on the nice warm stone in the sunshine and were quickly wisked away into the Dollarstore bug catcher. The third and fourth took about 3 and 4 minutes, respectively. But the fifth little guy who was deemed "Abidulio" by a certain four year-old little girl just wouldn't budge. I thought it was only going to be a 80% survival of the pack but this little girl wouldn't give up. She held him in her hands, force fed him leaves and even held him up high so that he could be "closer to the sun". And gosh darn it if after ten minutes of this the little bugger didn't start crawling! He was then re-introduced to his friends in the nice-stick-and-leaf-filled-captivity where he is still living out his days. When asked why his name was Abidulio she answered, "Because that's his name and I like it!" Here are a couple of pictures of the little guy.

Just goes to show you that even the little things can brighten your day and we as adults need to slow down and see the world for what it is. And the best way to do this is though the eyes of children. Man I love my job!





Health Update: I have Remicade Appointments! My application went through and I go June 22nd for the first round, July 4th for the second and August 3rd for the last loading dose. I'm so excited about getting off of the Entocort and Imuran(I hate swallowing pills, but then again, who does?)but I'm getting scared for the Remicade. Here's hoping it works!!!! *FINGERS AND TOES CROSSED*

Remicade or Remi-can't????

So as some of you know I am waiting to get my Remicade treatment, and it's been quite the ordeal. Since Remicade is $30,000-$40,000 dollars a year and I just don't have that kind of change sitting around I have to get approval for government funding. I apparently didn't mention that I didn't have Private Health Insurance so I've been on and off the phone trying to sort that out when all I needed was a quick fax and I'm home free. So now I currently wait for an appointment. Being sick is exhausting........

Things I Learned today....

~Getting up early sucks.

~Children who scream incessantly give me a headache and really get on my nerves.

~Police Officers are hypocrites because they speed and talk on their cell phones while driving.

~You cannot do a Mother's Day craft with 7 two year-olds without a large mess.
  ~The smiles on the mom's faces makes all the mess and chaos worth it....

We Never Give Them Enough Credit....

Daycare Thought of the Day: We really don't give our feet enough credit....unless you're two years old. Then you thank them with every step you take. "Sank-You Feets! I yov you! Sank-You! Sank-You!" with every step she takes! Rock on girlie! Rock on! And everyone remember to thank their feet today!

Checkmate Kate--You've Just Captured the King....

Well as most of you probably know(unless you've been living under a rock or perhaps down a deep deep hole for the past few months) Prince William and Princess Katherine got married today. No, I did not get up at 3 am to watch. I tuned in at a more respectable time of 8:34am. Why did I need to get up that early when that's all that's on the television for the next 24 hours anyway? I saw all of the important parts on recaps throughout the day anyway and these are my top five favourite moments....

5. Princess Beatrice's fascinator....

I mean what the heck is that?!?! It looks like she killed some undiscovered sea creature, took it to the the taxidermist and planted it on her forehead. I hope she didn't use superglue. She'll sure look funny with that growing out of her next week....

4. Kate and Pippa's dresses....

I thought that both Kate and Pippa looked stunning! I've come to realize that Kate is a very plain girl but this dress suited her perfectly. It is very classic and I think little girls will be dreaming of a dress like this for years to come. If there was one dress that I liked more than Kate's it was Pippa's. Like her sister's dress it was very plain and simple but it too had a sense of elegance that will be adored for years to come.

3. The flower girl afraid of the jets....

I just thought this was one of the cutest moments of the whole event. The little flower girl on the left (Grace, aged 3 and William's Goddaughter) cannot help but to cover her ears when the RAF flew over the royal occasion. Working with children I know that no matter how much you plan and prep these ad-libs by kids are some of the best memories.

2. Harry's aisle commentary for William....

What a sweet moment between brothers. When Harry looked over his shoulder and then whispered, "She looks beautiful." to his big brother that just made my heart melt. Lady Di would have been proud of her two little boys, now grown men on the biggest day of her eldest's life....

1. The ring didn't fit....

 My favourite moment of the whole shindig. It just goes to show you that even though you plan for months or years in advance something will inevitably go wrong as in the case of Kate's ring. Could it be possible that her knuckle has gained weight since last trying it on? Don't be silly. It was an adorable moment that showed that they too are human.

Those are some of my favourite wedding moments. A few of my not so favourite moments would be the scripted-ness feeling throughout. I would have liked them to have it be a bit more personal. I would have also liked them to smile more. They had very solemn looking faces for most of the televised portion. Come on guys! You're getting married! Be happy! But my biggest pet peeve was the not only bad kiss #1, but the even worse kiss #2! I was like come on Kate! You just married the guy for goodness sakes! At least look at the guy when he's kissing you! All in all it was lovely to see and I wish The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and long and happy marriage filled with lots of love, happiness and fun! (At least a bit more than his old pops Prince Charles, HA!)

Health Update: Still waiting on Remicade. I sent my application out last week and haven't heard back yet. I've been fighting a terrible horrible no good very bad cold since Wednesday and it's now Friday and I'm already feeling better so as far as viruses go I suppose that wasn't too bad....

Not TB and a Harrowing Tale....

I don't have TB! Yay! Not that I was in fear of having it considering I don't live in an area where it's prevealence is high. I just had to get tested because if you start on this new drug I'm going to be starting soon and you have it lying dormant in your body somewhere it can activate and like, I don't know, kill you or something. But I don't have it so that's awsome! My Remicade arrangment Lady called on Monday so I have to call her back tomorrow(totally fogot) and set up a time to speak with her. And I have to call to get a road test appointment for my G license. I will be busy tomorrow!

I suppose I'm incredibly lucky to even be writing this post tonight. I almost got mugged today. I was coming out of my local mall and waiting to turn left when I heard this loud tapping on my driver side window. It was a grungy looking guy, about thirty that looked particularly terrifying. I told him to go away(without opening a window or unlocking the doors, I'm not stupid!) but he kept gesturing for something. My guess is a ride(which I am obviously not going to give him, once again, not stupid!) or money(but he had a bunch of bills bundled up in his hand so I wasn't giving him any of that either). Anyway, the shaking of my head and wild hand gestures seemed to have scared him off because after about 30 seconds of this he flipped me the bird, dropped a few F-Bombs and continued on his way. All I can say for a final thought is, I'm glad I have automatic locking doors....

But! But! But! I love salad.... :(

OK people. I know I haven't been on here in a while but I've been SUPER BUSY! With doctor's appointments and such but I'll get to that in a bit. A lot has been happening in my life recently. I bought a car. It's a really cute little 2011 Ford Fiesta in the colour "Lime Squeeze". It's a really easy drive and can fit into most smaller parking spots that the bigger economy cars just can't squeeze into. It was a bit pricier than I wanted to pay but I put a lot down on it and I think that helped. And I got some really super cheap insurance to go with it so that helps a lot. Here's a picture just so you can see how totally wicked it is! (Does anyone even ever say this anymore? I don't know, I'm a Ninety's kid and proud of it!)

A few less milestone-ish things happening in my life most recently are I survived March Break with a billion screaming maniacs disguised as kids on March Break last week. And that's after the 1 hour sleep deprivation we lost thanks to the farmers and the changing of our clocks. I'm loving this new show called "Raising Hope" about this 20 something year old kid that knocks up this serial killer. She then gets the chair and he and his crazy family get to raise this baby girl whom they dub 'Hope'. It's very cute.

Alright, enough beating around the bush. The real reason why I've decided to resume writing this blog against my better judgement and forgetfulness. I have Crohn's Disease. You ask yourself, "What is Crohn's Disease?" Well, by the time I'm done you will have a very thorough understanding of this ailment it's complications and annoyances and everything in between.

What is Crohn's Disease?

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease of the intestines that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus(or you gums to your bum says my gastroenterologist), causing a wide variety of symptoms. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhea (which may be bloody if inflammation is at its worst), vomiting, or weight loss, but may also cause complications outside the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, tiredness, and lack of concentration.

Can It Be Managed?

Yes. Crohn's can be managed using anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs primarily. Prednisone is the most effective type of drug called a Steroid. But you cannot stay on this drug for an extended period of time because of other negative effects on your body that are sometimes irreversible. If these drugs don't work sometimes you have to have a surgery to remove the diseased section of the bowel. This is not always a cure however because another patch of inflammation could develop in a different section of your gastrointestinal tract. Therefore there is no "magical cure" that can completely 100% cure this disease but remission can be maintained with drug therapies and if needed surgery.


My story is as thus....
I have been having lets call them "bathroom issues" for a few years that have just been written off as nervousness in new situations or IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) until late August of 2010. I was having such bad pains that I went to the hospital and was told I had a Kidney Stone. I went through a bunch of tests, pain meds, shots, IVs, etc. until I went to get a Colonoscopy on September 15th 2010. This is when my lovely gastroenterologist whom I've come to love for taking away (most of) my pain told me I had Moderate to Severe Crohn's Disease.I went for an MRI and it confirmed that I have a 25-28 centimetre section of my Terminal Ileum that is badly Diseased. This is what it looks like(just scroll past if you don't want to see....)

....that's not my actual picture, just one that I found on Google images that looks like mine. It kind of looks like the inside of a Cantaloupe. I took Prednisone and am currently on Imuran(Azathioprine) and Entocort(a type of Prednisone that is in extended release capsules so it delivers it directly to the site of inflammation). However these meds are not working so I am currently in the process of getting vaccinations to start a new treatment by the name of Remicade. It's delivered by IV injection every 6-8 weeks and it takes 2-3 hours to infuse. I'm just waiting for my TB skin test to show positive or negative and then I'll post again.....

Just as a final note. If you or someone you love would like to find out more about Crohn's or things you can do to help fund a cure you can go to this website for The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada.....

http://www.ccfc.ca/site/c.ajIRK4NLLhJ0E/b.6319851/k.BDBF/Home.htm

Or this site for The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America....

http://www.ccfa.org/

Thanks for listening to my rant! :)