David Garrard, Jaguars Quarterback is Beating Crohn's

[butt-eze]

Just prior to the start of this afternoons playoff game there was a brief highlight of the Jaguars quarterback, David Garrard. He shared about his battle with crohn's. I found a brief article summarizing similar details to tonights details.
Did anyone see this??? The only odd comment that the quarterback said was that he had about a foot of intestines removed and has "beat" the disease. We, as Crohn's sufferers, know that it may just be temporary. However, I felt that it gave a false impression of the disease. As if it was just as simple has having a re-section and you're cured! Regardless, I am very happy that he shared his struggle and hope that it brings more attention to the disease.

Here is the article I found:

David Garrard, Jaguars Quarterback is Beating Crohn's
David Garrard has been fighting Crohn's disease since 2003. He was sidelined from playing football for the NFL and lost 35 pounds. This season he is back in full force, and the Jaguars have won 6 of his last 7 starts. He credits the turnaround in his health to Remicade. With starting quarterback Byron Leftwich possibly sidelined for the rest of the season, Garrard is now likely to start for the Jaguars for the rest of the year.
Most of us with IBD just struggle to get through a day, or a week, at a time. Sometimes a simple everyday activity like a shopping trip or a night out seems like an impossible task, rather than a pleasure. People with IBD such as David Garrard, Pearl Jam Guitarist Mike McCready, and San Diego Chargers legend Rolf Benirschke are good reminders for us--a productive and fulfulling life is possible with IBD! Read about more people with IBD who have overcome their health problems and gone on to success:

 

[KCMike]

Yeah that's typical of the media these days. It makes for a better story that he overcame great odds and "beat" the disease. If the person that had written this story would have done their homework they would know that David has about a 50/50 chance of having surgery again in the future. At least that is what the doctors told me after my resection. If they would have said that he was in remission or symptom free that doesn't sound like he overcame anything. I do think it is remarkable though that he is able to have a professional football career while battling this disease. I remember the days when it was a struggle to try and get out of bed just to go to the bathroom. I can't imagine getting knocked around by 300 lb. linemen.

 

[drew_wymore]

There is a better write up over at http://livingwithcrohnsdisease.blogspot.com .. From what I've read, he's kept most of the stuff private because of the symptoms. He even looked sort of embarrassed during the intro to the game yesterday. I thought it was very cool that it was brought up on a national game like that though, anything that gets the message out there that people are sick and then to be able to show someone overcoming the disease to play pro football (or any pro sport for that matter).

 

[callypat]

My husband saw the interview and called me to tell me about it. He said I should suggest to my doctor that I want to have this kind of surgery so I can "beat" the disease too.

 

[butt-eze]

LOL Cally!

That was sort of my point. I am really glad he shared and any press on it is helpful. I just didn't like that he himself said he had beat the disease. The crazy thing is that I'd have to have my lungs removed to beat it myself. My lungs have been affected by crohn's.
I suppose I should just be grateful for the press. I wonder, however, if his doctors gave him a false understanding of the disease.

 

[callypat]

I guess it's possible that someone who plays pro football doesn't have the time to research his disease so maybe he does think he has beat it. I shared some details with my husband about exactly what this disease can do and now he is more educated, so I guess some good came from it. I didn't want him to think it would be that easy or that I was milking this in some way. I'm sorry about your lungs.....I didn't even know that could happen. How exactly are they affected?

 

[butt-eze]

During the summer of 2006 I was hospitalized for one month. I had developed BOOP (Bronicial Obliterating Organizing Pneumonia). The doctor's theorize that I developed BOOP due to a reaction to Remicade or, more likely, as a side effect of my Crohn's. I have a wonderful GI doctor who specializes in digestive disease. He explains everything and helps me understand my condition.

 

[Kev]

Not to single anyone out, but I am often amazed at how otherwise intelligent folks can surrender their health to a doctors care without knowing exactly what's going on. The docs will recommend a procedure, or a drug, or even diagnose an illness, and folks will fail to ask even the most basic questions. Talk about blind faith in the initials MD. Course, maybe they just exist to counter balance the folks who are just the opposite; blindly hate all the MD's

 

[D Bergy]

We have been trained to just listen to the doctor and do as he says. I used to do the same thing, after all they are the experts. I would guess this guy has done the same thing. After all, he probably has little time to do his own research.

This has twice bit me in the butt. I now assume that any answer I get is an opinion, and not automatically the best opinion. I will check it out myself before I decide if I will go along with any treatment or surgery. This put me at odds with my gastro guy, but I have to live with the results, so I am going to make the final decision. If it offends him that is not my problem. If he would have been willing to work with me, we both would have learned something.

For our own peace of mind we should learn all you can and ask a ton of questions. It never hurts to be an expert in your own disease. Always listen to your doctor and consider his information, but always verify it afterwards. They are not like on TV. Very few are really top notch. And even fewer know anything about alternative methods, which can help.

I feel sorry for the guy if he actually thinks his problems are over. But, that may be just media spin. Reporters tend to leave out important details.

Dan Bergman

 

[Kev]

Yeah, I wasn't singling him out because reporters typically don't report all the facts, just the ones they can precis into a 3 minute news blurb. Really criminal. I was referring more to accounts I've seen here where a doctor has told someone to take this, or do that... and they don't know why. Or what the side effects are. Or how long they're supposed to take this or do that. Don't they realize they are losing out on the opportunity to 'dialogue', to communicate with their 'doctor'? It's akin to have been given the keys to the bank, going in, and just taking the pennies. Asking questions is 'your' part in fighting this IBD.