Just me

[Pirate]

Hi everyone. Just thought I'd drop by and see how everyone is doing and to let you all know how I'm doing with my Crohns. I'm just starting my 3rd year of Remicade treatments and I've been in remission for about the last year and a half. I still get the usual cramps once in a while and the D once in a great while, but nothing like before Remi.
Its been great. Working every day, making up for lost time with my lovely wife of 33 yrs. She stood by me during the worst times and still actually loves me. LOL
There is hope out there for everyone. Its just a matter of timing and the right meds. I spent a lot of years waiting for that combination.

Just a little background, I was diagnosed with Crohns in 1986 at the age of 26. By the time we found out what it was I was down to 118 lbs (from 155), couldn't hold anything down. I was rushed to the ER and the DR. told my wife that if she had waited until morning to bring me in they probably wouldn't have been able to get it opened back up. I had gangrene in my stomach and my duodenum was blocked. I was lucky enough to have a great GI that got things rolling. Had my stomach pumped for 7 days, anti-biotics and steriods, IV's and blood infusions. Luckily, no surgery.
Over the next 25 yrs, I was in the hospital on the average, 4 times a year. Averaged 3 colonoscopies a year and 5 endos a year for the next 12 years. Can't even count all the other tests. So long on steriods that the calcium broke down and I lost all my teeth.
I hate my Crohns, but I have learned to live with it. Mainly because of my wife.
There really is hope. It is hard at times, but you can never give up because that day may be tomorrow or the next day.
There is much more to my story, but it would take so long.

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Pirate! :bigwave:

Thanks for update. It's so good to hear from you and especially fab that things are going so well, YAY! Long may it continue!

Dusty. xxx

 

[Jennifer]

Yes it is great to hear from you and that you're doing well! Keep up the good work!

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

So good to know how well you are doing I am starting Remi some time this year and I have high hopes!

 

[Pirate]

I hope it works great for you like has for me, Holly. It is so nice not having the constant day in and day out problems of CD. The only side effect I've noticed is that a week after the treatment, my joints ache. Its better now then it was when I started. It only lasted a week to 10 days each time.

 

[Astra]

You're my hero Greg! I look forward to your stuff and pics on FB.
Your pics of soldiers were the inspiration for my boyfriends project for World Peace Day, especially the gun stuff!
Stay well foreva!
xxx

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Yey Greg! It's great to hear positive stuff on here. Especially because people mainly come on here when they aren't doing too well!

You've done amazingly well to have no surgeries yet too!

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Greg and thank you very much for the update, it is wonderful to hear that you are doing well :biggrin: I hope it continues for a good while to come and that you can stay away from that knife!

 

[Pirate]

Hi Joan, I love the work Janis and I do to support our Troops and Vets. Wish we could do more, but what we do really makes a differance in the lives of the soldiers and thier families. I'm glad to be able to inspire others.

Thanks Michelle. That's the reason I stopped by. It can be so negative and depressing if you don't hear the hope that there is that chance. I am grateful that I am where I am and I hope everyone reaches this place. Its like heaven for anyone with CD.

According to my old GI's records, I had surgery back in 2006. But my new GI, my wife and I have yet to find anywhere on my body where there might be a scar. lol