How I was resilliant and made it out alive.

[MarkBenner]

I have been in a constant struggle with this disease for 5 years. I was suffering from severe stomach cramps and excessive loose bowel movements. I weighed 38 pounds when I was 10. I was admitted to Lehigh Valley Hospital in 2009. I went through every test they had. When I discovered I had Crohn's disease I was extremely terrified. I had a flareup in 2010 and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. I was released but still had symptoms. I was prescribed humira in 2012 by my Peds specialist. The injection was no match for my condition. I developed a skin rash from the medication and began to lose weight rapidly. I was told to drink calorie supplements and again the treatment was no match. In January 2013 I had a severe case of Bronchial infection and was prescribed a combatant by my family doctor. In 3 days I developed stomach pain in the left upper quadrant of my stomach. I was taken back and the doctor told me he shouldnt have given me that medication given my Crohns disease. I was told to drink gatorade and eat yogurt and was sent home. 2 weeks later the pain got worse and I was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospitals emergency room. I was given a futile x-ray and was told I was constipated after a hellish 8 hour visit during which I was treated as a patient that was of no emergency given my condition. I questioned the half brained doctor and said how could I be constipated when I had dysintary the past weeks? She said it was leakage and sent me home with some miralax. The pain intensified and I forced my mom to take me to Lehighton's emergency room. I was given a cat scan and the doctor found a then small absess in my upper left quadrant where I had the pain the whole time. I was rushed to Lehigh Valley again weary of what lie ahead this time around. Two anti biotics and 2 weeks later I faced a disrespectful nursing staff and was being delayed on my discharge in February. I was sent home with disentary still and 2 days later I was crippled with pain. At my follow up the doctor found that my left side was as hard as a rock. I was readmitted and no new medication was introduced. After another cat scan the absess had enlarged and became so complex that 7 pockets of fluid were inside of it. I was in need of surgery but instead I was given a drain that was surgically inserted in my intestine. No infected fluid came out but plentiful blood flowed into the drain. I was in danger of having the absess burst and a dangerous blood poisoning would insue. After 5 days of delay the surgeons argued right in front of me and one said that they would need to be positive I had Crohns. After 4 years they weren't sure? I was enraged that my life was being slowly endangered at this hospital. When they left I called my father at work and he rushed to my room minutes later. We had been arranging a second opinion with St. Lukes in Bethlehem anyway but this was prime time for me to be transfered. He packed my bags and demanded a transfer. An argument insued and I was told I needed emergency surgery all of a sudden. After three hours whitehall ambulance showed up. They were 15 minutes away but were purposley told to be late hoping my dad would change his mind. I was rushed to st lukes and in two days the loose stool stopped and I began gaining weight. I was taken in for surgery 2 weeks later after bulking up and my left colon was removed taking 80% of my Crohn's with it. Post surgery I was told I should have had the operation 2 years ago. 4 months later I am in the best shape of my life and I am greatful to the St. Lukes team for saving my life. I am never going to see Lehigh Valley again.

 

[BowelMeOver]

Well done, Mark, well done! My wishes go out to you for continued good health and happiness.