Flare Up & 6th Stem Cell Birthday

I have been having a bad flare with diarrhea like 15 times a day. It has been going on a few months but Sunday I saw blood so I knew I needed to make an appointment.

I'm being tested for c diff. Ugh, it's been 6 years since I have had c diff and I so hope this isn't it. It isn't the type of thing you look forward to.

My blood work shows elevated inflammation markers and low hemoglobin.

On that note, today is my re-birthday! 6 years ago today was day 0 and I received my sister's stem cells and started my healing journey! I have had my ups and downs but I'm not dying anymore so yay! Lol

I'll keep you posted on my lab results!

May 2018

I have been having a Crohn's flare lately and am going to try some Rowasa. I'm in so much pain and bloated.

I'm anemic. I don't really know why but I am. I can't take iron supplements because I just can't digest them. I don't know what to do. I eat as much as I can. I take gummy multivitamins but it's not enough. This is probably why I'm sooo exhausted. Not to mention I'm trying to quit caffeine and smoking. Lord, help me.

My arthritis is so so but restless legs is killing me and keeping me up. I see my rheumatologist in a few weeks so i guess I'll be bringing it up to him then. The stelara injections seem to help a good bit of the pain but I still get searing pain up my back and in my hands so that's something we still need to work on.

I already take antidepressants and anxiety meds but sometimes I go through rough patches where I feel so down for no reason at all. It's really to be expected with all I've been through. I'm always terrified of going somewhere and being sick or in constant pain. It's very PTSD-like. It's a panicky dread of leaving the house. If any of you feel this related to your IBD, please know you aren't alone. And I promise, you'll get through it!

UPDATE 2018

Here is my year so far:

I've been under stress so I've had a bit of a flare. I'm on Rowasa as needed for that.

My arthritis is bad. My rheumatologist thinks he may need to double my stelara dosage.  So we shall see.

I went to donate blood today and couldn't because my hemoglobin is 9.6. Guess i get to start some iron for that. But i have no idea why it is so low! Ugh!

About a month ago, i fell off a chair and scraped up my entire side, took a chunk out of it and hit my head pretty bad. The wound got infected because of my suppressed immune system. It's all healing now! It's going to leave a huge scar. And i had some brain trauma so I have to go back to my neurologist.

Updates to come!

Inflammation All Over

I had bloodwork done at my rheumatologist the other day and my counts are definitely showing inflammation and I am not surprised.

My joints have been killing me. My stomach is in pain. My eyes are throbbing. I have to go to the eye doctor asap!

Will update when i get answers!

Christmas Update

I have been feeling so so lately. I have had some pain during my cold even though i wasn't taking any meds. But im feeling better now.

My arthritis is KILLING me. I can barely move my elbows and wrists...some days, my entire arm.

But other than that, i am good to go!

Not again

My heart has been broken and now im experiencing severe anxiety, stress, and depression.

As we all know, that also comes with a crohns flare up.

Unlike other people who get a nervous stomach when they're upset, i have to worry about more longterm effects.

Needless to say, i hate this disease

Uneventful is What I Worked For

I haven't been posting as much because my life has become rather uneventful. As I was preparing to go to bed, it hit me. I worked hard for this lifestyle. Heck, I worked hard for life.

My life may be boring and mediocre now but I wouldn't have it any other way!

For over 13 years, my life has been Hell. I was raped twice. I withstood verbal, sexual and physical abuse from a boyfriend for 5 years. I survived his attempted murder. I was diagnosed with Crohn's and fought hard to get better, when really I was fighting a losing battle. I was dying when I went through a stem cell transplant over 600 miles from home. Almost died during that as well. I have suffered anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD,  and suicide attempts.

It's been a long, difficult journey but look at me now. I'm overall pretty healthy, I'm the happiest I have ever been, and I am stronger in my faith more than ever before.

Because of the difficulties, I can now celebrate all my wins, regardless of size. I celebrate being able to go to the beach without rushing to find a bathroom.  I celebrate walking around in the park with no pain. I celebrate not having to worry if I'm going to survive my next beating.  I even celebrate getting to eat grapes without winding up in a hospital bed.

Life may be ordinary and uneventful, but, man, it's amazing!!