Hi, my son also diagnosed at 12, just turned 14, and have to say life is one big rollercoaster!
The hospital suggested that my son have a note book with him, that he can write in whatever he likes and keeps it in a special place, sometimes he writes daily other times weekly, just how he feels about things, life, etc, and he tells us he has written in it and that we can read it when he has gone to bed, which we do and in the morning we ask if he wants to talk about it or any concerns, sometimes yes he does, other times, no doesnt want to, we all find this very useful. This book was also very useful as he was recently diagnosed with depression and he allowed them to look at his book, which picked up how bad he was feeling about everything. He is currently receiving help with monthly meetings. So something to help i think.
As Sascot says crohns does become a part of your life, with hospitals, tests etc, heps also if you can see the same people, but they do adjust to all that is going on.
We have some good support groups in the uk and also lots of good info, we print some info of and let our son read it, he like to be alone to read and pick it up from time to time to read through and then comes and asks us any questions, or if we are unsure we try and find the answers.
Really wish you both well, and this group is brilliant for support and advice, if you want to have a rant, there is always somebody here to answer and help you along the way xx