Benefits of Crohn's/UC

[nogutsnoglory]

This forum is almost entirely about how much this disease sucks and affects our lives and don't get me wrong - it does!

However, I wanted to take a look at the positive aspects of living with chronic disease. It helps put things in perspective.

Here is my initial list of positives that have come through my IBD in no particular order:

-Increased compassion & understanding for others with debilitating illnesses.
-Increased attention to health and the implications of diet on my health.
-Loving family and friends who are supportive.
-Joining support groups and this online community.
-Caring doctors and nurses who are trying to help.
-Realization of simple pleasures we take for granted when healthy.
-Becoming a stronger person emotionally.

I'm sure there are many many more but ill start with that. What are yours?

 

[CeeCeeGo]

-Increased compassion & understanding for others with debilitating illnesses.
-Increased attention to health and the implications of diet on my health.
-Loving family and friends who are supportive.
-Joining support groups and this online community.
-Caring doctors and nurses who are trying to help.
-Realization of simple pleasures we take for granted when healthy.
-Becoming a stronger person emotionally.

I totally agree 'NoGutsNoGlory'. When I was first diagnosed, all I could think about was this condition and how it negatively affected my life. With some therapy, I have started to realise that it is now part of my life and I have to deal with it day to day and NOT let it rule my life!

When I was in hospital for 10 days last year (after my bowel perforated) I actually loved the people watching bit and also it restored my faith in humanity. I even managed to advocate for an older female patient who I felt was being neglected and I was surprised that I could think about someone other than myself in that situation.

I have always tended in the past to look at the negative side of life but having CD and surviving my bowel perf last year made me start to look positively at things and be grateful for what we have - not always but much more than before.

 

[2thFairy]

It has further increased my fascination with internal organs.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Having IBD has made me appreciate my health so much. I used to take it for granted. Then I got sick and my health went entirely out the window. I've spent the past couple of years fighting hard to get it back. I never used to like exercise - now I love it! It makes me feel like a strong, healthy person when I hit the gym and I never thought I'd be saying I love to work out! It took illness to make me realize what health really is.

 

[Dukeis]

I've always looked at it as me being able to be here at home and see my children grow and be much more a part of their lives then if I were healthy. If I was healthy I figure I would have been away so much more then I have been. I have told people my Crohn's was a gift in a way because it has allowed me to have a much greater family life. My oldest brother visited awhile back and told me I was very fortunate to be around while my kids are young. He has one child who is in his 30's and he said it saddens him because he doesn't remember being around much when his son was small.

 

[shamrock15]

It also allows us to make better use of our healthy time. I used to be really good at procrastinating. I still am, but I do much more with my time these days.

 

[UnXmas]

I used to have a real phobia of bodily fluids - emetophobia (fear of vomit) in particular. I was also very judgemental - I thought people who had illnesses which involved being sick, getting diorrhea, etc. were disgusting.

So it was kind of ironic that I got this illness. It wasn't being ill itself which helped me (when I first got ill I hated myself and was convinced I was too gross to even be around other people), but coming accross message boards similar to this one when I was researching what was wrong with me. After reading for a while and seeing the regular members post about their illnesses and the rest of their lives, I realised that these were not disgusting people. They were mostly really nice people. It took a long time, but eventually I stopped believing that my illness made me repulsive, and stopped judging other people by their symptoms too.

I still have an intense dislike of vomit, etc. - being on a hosptial gastro. ward with other sick patients is still something I find really difficult - but I can now deal with it in a reasonable way.

 

[Ihurt]

I think anyone who has a chronic illness develops an understanding and empathy to others who are chronically ill. And like someone else said, you really appreciate when you feel welll. I have not been well for 9 years now. I have had better days though through my illness, not many and they seem to be fewer lately, but when I have a half way decent day, I am very grateful. In fact I can honestly say that I do Not remember what it feels like to be completely pain free. I have not been pain free for 9 years now.

I mean if I could turn back time and change things, would I rather of not been sick, Heck yeah. Who wants to be sick. I mean has it changed me as a person, I cannot say it has too much. I mean I was always pretty understanding and sympathetic when it came to other people who were sick. My mom was chronically sick most of my life, so maybe that is why I always had that empathy towards sick people, I dont know. The one thing it has done is made me appreciate life more, but also believe it or not, it has taken away that fear of death for me. I mean honestly some days I would welcome it! I am sure you all can relate. I also dont stress the small stuff, I mean I use to be a HUGE clean freak, I mean I still am to an extent. But now for instance if I do not feel up to washing the clothes or vacumming the floor I dont do it. I leave it for when I am feeling more able.

The bottome line is, we were dealt this crappy deck of cards and we have to deal with it, it is what it is and it sucks. We just have to deal as best we can..