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! ;)