- Joined
- Dec 6, 2011
- Messages
- 2
I was diagnosed with Crohns in 1995 after getting engaged and the death of my grandmother. I knew the moment the words left the surgeons mouth, that the engagement would not last. In 1999, I had my first colon resection surgery. I was on remicade for almost 10 years when I built up a resistance to the drug. I was well until 2008. I started having more bowel movements and pain. I started Humira shots. All they did was cause more leg pain. I kept dropping the pounds and felt horrible. In November of 2009 I had another colon resectioning with 16 inches of my small intestines removed and appendix was also removed. Before I even left the hospital I was losing control of my bowels. Surgeon said it was something I was just going to have to live with.
I got to the point I wasn't able to go anywhere without taking 2 or 3 changes of clothes with me. I would have accidents and had to stick close to the bathroom, I was so weak and was keeping a urinary tract infection along with low potassium levels. It all came to a head on February 28. I lost all control and and my potassium levels bottomed out. I couldn't even walk across the floor. I went to ER in Blacksburg VA and had a CT scan. I was then told my whole colon including the rectum had to be removed which meant a ileostomy. I was sent to UVA Medical Center and went through another colonscopy and small bowel series. Then the surgery. At first I was like "this is the death of me" but once my small intestines woke up...I was able to eat and walk better than I did even before surgery. I actually was sleeping all night and didn't hurt in my legs. Now over 8 months later, I am so happy to have had the surgery. I wish I had it done back in 2009. I am only on Pentasa for the time being to keep the Crohns at bay.
I got to the point I wasn't able to go anywhere without taking 2 or 3 changes of clothes with me. I would have accidents and had to stick close to the bathroom, I was so weak and was keeping a urinary tract infection along with low potassium levels. It all came to a head on February 28. I lost all control and and my potassium levels bottomed out. I couldn't even walk across the floor. I went to ER in Blacksburg VA and had a CT scan. I was then told my whole colon including the rectum had to be removed which meant a ileostomy. I was sent to UVA Medical Center and went through another colonscopy and small bowel series. Then the surgery. At first I was like "this is the death of me" but once my small intestines woke up...I was able to eat and walk better than I did even before surgery. I actually was sleeping all night and didn't hurt in my legs. Now over 8 months later, I am so happy to have had the surgery. I wish I had it done back in 2009. I am only on Pentasa for the time being to keep the Crohns at bay.
