Hi my name is Debs I'm 43 and living in wiltshire, UK.
Where do I start, I was diagnosed on the operating table (yes that old chestmut again - docs thought I had appendicitis!) in 1984... like so many stories, pretty much left to my own devices regarding research and advice. I have had several bowel resections, rt hemicolectomy followed by septicemia , fistulas/abscesses and blockages along the way. I have never been involved in support groups and forums... and wonder myself how I find myself here now... I think that after all these years I am ready to talk to people outside of my bubble just to connect with someone who really knows what it's like.
I have 2 beautiful children, grown up now aged 24 and 18, they are the apple of my eye for sure and have lived with crohn's as much as me. I have had one course of Infliximab, 6yrs ago which failed, I had another a couple of weeks ago that I took an allergic reaction to so have stopped. I was in hospital up until a few days ago, I have another fistula following another abscess... yep it's getting to me now! There are so many facets to the disease, not least the psychological and emotional.
I have always coped by 'blocking it out' (denail my old surgeon friend calls it!!!) as much as possible between flares... and try to lead a 'normal' life, I work as an IT Manager of a doctor's surgery - been there for 16 yrs now. I've been reading all the new msgs from the newly diagnosed members and the friendly welcomes and advice I just felt I wanted to reach out.. sound familiar to anyone out there?
Debs x
Where do I start, I was diagnosed on the operating table (yes that old chestmut again - docs thought I had appendicitis!) in 1984... like so many stories, pretty much left to my own devices regarding research and advice. I have had several bowel resections, rt hemicolectomy followed by septicemia , fistulas/abscesses and blockages along the way. I have never been involved in support groups and forums... and wonder myself how I find myself here now... I think that after all these years I am ready to talk to people outside of my bubble just to connect with someone who really knows what it's like.
I have 2 beautiful children, grown up now aged 24 and 18, they are the apple of my eye for sure and have lived with crohn's as much as me. I have had one course of Infliximab, 6yrs ago which failed, I had another a couple of weeks ago that I took an allergic reaction to so have stopped. I was in hospital up until a few days ago, I have another fistula following another abscess... yep it's getting to me now! There are so many facets to the disease, not least the psychological and emotional.
I have always coped by 'blocking it out' (denail my old surgeon friend calls it!!!) as much as possible between flares... and try to lead a 'normal' life, I work as an IT Manager of a doctor's surgery - been there for 16 yrs now. I've been reading all the new msgs from the newly diagnosed members and the friendly welcomes and advice I just felt I wanted to reach out.. sound familiar to anyone out there?
Debs x
glad you picked this forum when you decided to reach out 
