DAY 2: WEGO Health's National Blog Post Month

Day 2 - Write about the weirdest thing about your health.

I'm not sure where to start with this post. There are a lot of weird things about my health. Some I haven't even posted here but don't worry. In due time young blog readers. Soon.

What I am going to focus on today is not my main chronic illness (Crohn's) but two other conditions that I have just stumbled upon recently. One very recently enough that I don't know absolutely everything about it yet but I think I have enough of a grasp to get my weirdness across.

Low platelets and Hemachromatosis.

When you have low platelets it means that your blood does not clot as it should. Should you get into an accident or get hit with something and get a bruise it could cause your body to bleed longer or in extreme circumstances hemorrhage to death. DEATH! *GASP*

When you have Hemachromatosis it means that your body absorbs too much iron. The normal human body has 3-4 mg. of iron floating around in it at any given time whereas in someone with this condition it can be upwards of 30-40 mg. (I'm currently at about 33 mg.). Your body starts storing it in different organs like your pancreas (causing diabetes), heart (causing palpitations and damage) and liver (causing extensive damage and death.) MORE DEATH! *DOUBLE GASP*

The reason I find these two ailments coexisting simultaneously is because the "cure" for low platelets is to not bleed or get hit or kicked or basically do anything to cause yourself to hemorrhage while the "cure" for Hemachromatosis is to expel as much blood from the body as possible without exsanguinating the patient in order to draw the extra iron from the organs by making new blood.

Get it?

One doctor tells me to do everything not to bleed and I turn around and another tells me to give it away to any medical professional with a tourniquet.

And they wonder why I'm skeptical and reserved....

The one ray of sunshine in all of this bloody mess is that the low platelets seem to only show up right after Remicade infusions so if I time it right I have a good two week window in which to kill my blood supply before my platelets run hiding in the corner from the big bad Infliximab.

Oh I need a lot of mental help.
Then again maybe not.
:)

 

 

DAY 1: WEGO Health’s National Blog Post Month

Day 1- “Why I Write About My Health”

Thought I was done with month long posting didn't you? Nope! I am now going to be participating in WEGO Health's Blog Month all November long. Everyday I have a choice of two topics/questions/images/ect. to choose from and I must post about it. So here I go....

Today's topic is "why I write about my health". And coming off of an entire month of posting I am going to take some creative liberties and go jot form and start off slow.

Reasons why I write about my health....
~To share my story with others who are fighting chronic diseases. And to inspire them.
~To meet others who have chronic diseases. And have them inspire me.
~To chronicle my journeys for myself. I never have been much of a private journaler. I tend to forget about it if I'm not accountable to someone/something.
~It releases stress. Until you pour everything into words and throw it out there you'll never know how good it can make you feel.
~And let's face it. Everyone and their dog has a blog nowadays. Who wouldn't want one?

Just a small post tonight but I'll be back at it full swing tomorrow....

Monthly Roundup....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.
25. Crohn's disease affects about one in 1,000 people.
26. It is not caused by infection and it is in no way contagious.
27. It's hard to have a disease in which most of the symptoms are internal.
28. It not just the disease and pain that makes patients cantankerous. The drugs we have to take can make us moody. Especially steroids.
29. Just ask. If we are not comfortable sharing we will let you know. Most patients are open about their disease.
30. There is no cure. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about this disease. People believe drugs will cure us Crohnies. This is not true. Drugs only get the disease under control.
31. People with Crohn's Disease just want to be treated like everyone else.



Well. It's been a long month. But I've made it. I only missed two days and with my track record for length between posts I believe I did well.
I hope I brought an itsy bitsy teeny weeny little bit of insight into the wonderful world of Crohn's Disease and all of it's glory. And I also hope in some small way I've helped to bring CD up another notch in the chronic condition totem pole. Thank you very much for hanging with me. It truly means a lot.

OK. Enough with the sentimental stuff. The real thing I want to post about tonight is Halloween.
Now when I was looking for a halloween costume for my friends party I was at a loss about my choices. So many things but I wanted to keep it on the cheap. Lately I've been really into The Big Bang Theory(since the beginning of June) and my first thought was Sheldon. Superhero t-shirt, undershirt, pants, shoes. Easy, peasy, cheaply, right? Until I had a stroke of inspiration that would rival even the most experienced Halloween connoisseur. I, my friends, was Amy Farah Fowler.
When looking around through pictures and watching the DVDs of her seasons I deduced that there wasn't really much to her fashion and came to the conclusion that I had most of the clothing articles already.
Here's my costume breakdown....

Striped Sweater - already had (paid $12 for last year at Walmart)
Flowered Shirt - $5 on clearance from Walmart
Purple T-Shirt - already had (paid $8 for two years ago at Walmart
Jean Skirt - $7 at Value Village (I had a jean skirt that would have worked but it wasn't quite right for the look that I wanted)
Panty Hose - $1 at the Dollar Store
Dress Shoes - already had
Glasses - $1 at the Dollar Store (I looked around at different party stores but they were very expensive and none of them looked just right. I saw a pair of sunglasses at the Dollar Store and punched out the lenses and they looked awesome!)
Hair Clip - already had
Optional Tiara - I bought one from the Dollar Store for $1 but didn't end up wearing it much.

Super easy and cheap coming in at just under $19 for everything I needed. I had a lot of fun at the party. It's fun to just let go and lose it for a few hours (until 4am, oops!) and forget about your problems and enjoy friendship. I know. That's a lot of "ands". It was a busy day and everyone was hopped up on sugar. So tired. Going to bed momentarily....

Oh ya! And cake pop tutorial coming soon! Check out the awesome pumpkins I made!
:D

Almost There....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.
25. Crohn's disease affects about one in 1,000 people.
26. It is not caused by infection and it is in no way contagious.
27. It's hard to have a disease in which most of the symptoms are internal.
28. It not just the disease and pain that makes patients cantankerous. The drugs we have to take can make us moody. Especially steroids.
29. Just ask. If we are not comfortable sharing we will let you know. Most patients are open about their disease.
30. There is no cure. This is one of the biggest misunderstandings about this disease. People believe drugs will cure us Crohnies. This is not true. Drugs only get the disease under control.

Here's Hoping A Hurricane Doesn't Blow Me Away....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.
25. Crohn's disease affects about one in 1,000 people.
26. It is not caused by infection and it is in no way contagious.
27. It's hard to have a disease in which most of the symptoms are internal.
28. It not just the disease and pain that makes patients cantankerous. The drugs we have to take can make us moody. Especially steroids.
29. Just ask. If we are not comfortable sharing we will let you know. Most patients are open about their disease.

Such A Bad Blogger....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.
25. Crohn's disease affects about one in 1,000 people.
26. It is not caused by infection and it is in no way contagious.
27. It's hard to have a disease in which most of the symptoms are internal.
28. It not just the disease and pain that makes patients cantankerous. The drugs we have to take can make us moody. Especially steroids.





OK. So I forgot to post again last night. But I was at a Halloween party until 4am this morning. Can you guess from the picture who I was?

Wow. My Last Post Title Sounded Very Gangster....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.
25. Crohn's disease affects about one in 1,000 people.
26. It is not caused by infection and it is in no way contagious.

P to the L to the EDGE....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.
25. Crohn's disease affects about one in 1,000 people.

Wednesdays Are Hard....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.
24. Crohn's disease is very close in relationship to rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, a percentage of CD patients also develop RA.



Wednesdays are hard.
Tonight I was trying to pump foam hand soap out of a hair spray can for a good ten seconds before I realized what I was doing.
I repeat, Wednesdays are hard.
That is all....

What. A. Day....

*I PLEDGE THAT EVERY DAY IN OCTOBER (BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH) I WILL POST A FACT ABOUT CROHN'S DISEASE TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CD*

1.Canada has one of the highest rates of IBD in the World.
2. The most common age to be diagnosed is anywhere between 15 to 25 but approximately 10% of those with Crohn's disease are under 18 years of age.
3. Crohn's Disease is similar to Colitis, making it difficult to diagnose. The difference is that Colitis infects superficial layers, while Crohn's Disease infects multiple layers of tissue.
4. Many children do not present with classic abdominal/intestinal symptoms. Most first present with growth issues.
5. Crohn's also causes three different types of inflammation of the eye (episcleritis, scleritis, and uveitis)
6. The illness has several names: ileitis, regional enteritis, ileocolitis, and Crohn's colitis (for disease solely in the colon).
7. As is the case with many digestive diseases, people are quick to assume that the cause of Crohn's is stress. However, most doctors tell their patients that this is simply false. Stress can affect the patient much the same as it does with any other major disease but is not the cause of the illness.
8. Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop Crohn's disease.
9. Women with Crohn’s disease can become pregnant and have a baby. Even so, women with Crohn’s disease should talk with their health care provider before getting pregnant. Some medications used for CD can harm an unborn baby.
10. Crohn's Disease is often misdiagnosed. Most commonly as Irritable Bowel Disease.
11. Even with a full battery of tests, it may not be possible to diagnose Crohn's with complete certainty; a colonoscopy is approximately 70% effective in diagnosing the disease, with further tests being less effective.
12. Certain lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms, including dietary adjustments, elemental diet, proper hydration, and smoking cessation.
13. Eating small meals frequently instead of big meals may also help with a low appetite.
14. The gradual loss of blood from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as chronic inflammation, often leads to anemia.
15. Crohn’s disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families.
16. The most common complication of Crohn’s disease is an intestinal blockage caused by thickening of the intestinal wall because of swelling and scar tissue.
17. No special diet has been proven effective for preventing or treating Crohn’s disease, but it is important that people who have Crohn’s disease follow a nutritious diet and avoid any foods that seem to worsen symptoms.
18. Because Crohn’s disease often recurs after surgery, people considering surgery should carefully weigh its benefits and risks compared with other treatments.
19. It is believed that a virus or bacteria may be involved, which may cause the initial damage to the lining of the GI tract. However, it is not yet known which organism might be involved.
20. Crohn's Disease cannot be prevented. If you are going to develop it then you are going to develop it. The trick is not letting it get to the point of taking over your life.
21. it usually strikes between the teen years and age 30. However, many patients have told me a second wave occurs between 55 and 65.
22. In certain African countries there are little to no incidence of CD.
23. The disease takes its name from Dr. Burrill B. Crohn. In 1932, he and two colleagues published a monumental paper describing the details of the disease that now bears his name.


Peed on. Pooped on. Puked on. Baby food thrown in my face. Van broke down in the middle of taking kids to school. Got Ethanol all over my boots and now they smell.
Happy half birthday to me!
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