What's up my (now) fellow Crohnies. I need some help.
First, the background story...
After suffering from some mysterious cramps in my lower right quadrant and on-and-off fevers for about two weeks, I decided in early May that I'd go see a doctor to check up on these symptoms. He sent me to take a CT scan, in which the doctors found that my appendix was extremely large. They had never seen anything quite like it. They told me I needed to go to the ER right away, and I obliged. After showing my surgeon my CT scan photos, he informed me that I needed an appendectomy (removal of the appendix) immediately.
What was supposed to be a 45 minute laparoscopic surgery quickly turned into a four hour open appendectomy with an incision of about five inches when they realized that my appendix was too large to remove laparoscopically and that my colon was also inflamed. The surgeon said that it looked like I had Crohn's Disease.
I refused to believe this and convinced myself that I instead had chronic appendicitis. I stayed in the hospital for seven days recovering from the surgery, not eating or drinking until the last two days. The recovery was pretty brutal with intense abdominal pain that restricted my breathing and intense nausea and vomiting of stomach bile. At one point, they decided shove a tube all the way from my nostril into my stomach to pump out all the juices in my stomach just so I could get a decent night of sleep. I eventually recovered, and I finally got my JP tube and 15 staples removed today. After a pathology test taken on my appendix, however, it was confirmed that I have Crohn's.
I'm really lost at this point. I've done quite a bit of research on the disease since I've been home, and I'm blown away by the severity spectrum of the illness. Before the two weeks of cramping and fevers, I've never really had any issues with my bowels - I was always a really "gassy" kid and a little bit lactose intolerant, but other than that I never had any real issues.
Now I'm in quite a predicament - I don't really know what to do with myself. My doctor told me I should follow up with a GI doctor immediately to start treatment, but I have an internship four states away that I'm supposed to fly out for in three days. I've already delayed the start day by a week because of my surgery and I can't delay it any more without giving up the job. I'm a 21 y/o male in college, and internships are really priceless. I also don't want to be stuck in an ER without my family. I'm currently not suffering from any symptoms other than some surgery recovery - related soreness. I'm eating fine, using the bathroom fine (although more frequently), and I only feel a little fatigued. I'm down 15 pounds of my normal weight though; I'm 5'8'' and 130 lbs which is the lightest I've ever been and I hate it. I also get some occasional mild cramps in either side of my abdomen. I guess overall, since my surgery, my Crohn's is mild and maybe even in remission (?).
At this point, I really don't know what to do and I'm reluctant to listen to my parents because I don't think they grasp the intensity of the situation. It's all too real for me right now and I'm trying to keep from getting too worried or stressed because I know it doesn't help Crohn's.
So, I guess this really is me just reaching out for some advice and help. Anything works, I just want some advice from people that know what I'm going through.
Thanks so much guys. This means everything to me right now.
First, the background story...
After suffering from some mysterious cramps in my lower right quadrant and on-and-off fevers for about two weeks, I decided in early May that I'd go see a doctor to check up on these symptoms. He sent me to take a CT scan, in which the doctors found that my appendix was extremely large. They had never seen anything quite like it. They told me I needed to go to the ER right away, and I obliged. After showing my surgeon my CT scan photos, he informed me that I needed an appendectomy (removal of the appendix) immediately.
What was supposed to be a 45 minute laparoscopic surgery quickly turned into a four hour open appendectomy with an incision of about five inches when they realized that my appendix was too large to remove laparoscopically and that my colon was also inflamed. The surgeon said that it looked like I had Crohn's Disease.
I refused to believe this and convinced myself that I instead had chronic appendicitis. I stayed in the hospital for seven days recovering from the surgery, not eating or drinking until the last two days. The recovery was pretty brutal with intense abdominal pain that restricted my breathing and intense nausea and vomiting of stomach bile. At one point, they decided shove a tube all the way from my nostril into my stomach to pump out all the juices in my stomach just so I could get a decent night of sleep. I eventually recovered, and I finally got my JP tube and 15 staples removed today. After a pathology test taken on my appendix, however, it was confirmed that I have Crohn's.
I'm really lost at this point. I've done quite a bit of research on the disease since I've been home, and I'm blown away by the severity spectrum of the illness. Before the two weeks of cramping and fevers, I've never really had any issues with my bowels - I was always a really "gassy" kid and a little bit lactose intolerant, but other than that I never had any real issues.
Now I'm in quite a predicament - I don't really know what to do with myself. My doctor told me I should follow up with a GI doctor immediately to start treatment, but I have an internship four states away that I'm supposed to fly out for in three days. I've already delayed the start day by a week because of my surgery and I can't delay it any more without giving up the job. I'm a 21 y/o male in college, and internships are really priceless. I also don't want to be stuck in an ER without my family. I'm currently not suffering from any symptoms other than some surgery recovery - related soreness. I'm eating fine, using the bathroom fine (although more frequently), and I only feel a little fatigued. I'm down 15 pounds of my normal weight though; I'm 5'8'' and 130 lbs which is the lightest I've ever been and I hate it. I also get some occasional mild cramps in either side of my abdomen. I guess overall, since my surgery, my Crohn's is mild and maybe even in remission (?).
At this point, I really don't know what to do and I'm reluctant to listen to my parents because I don't think they grasp the intensity of the situation. It's all too real for me right now and I'm trying to keep from getting too worried or stressed because I know it doesn't help Crohn's.
So, I guess this really is me just reaching out for some advice and help. Anything works, I just want some advice from people that know what I'm going through.
Thanks so much guys. This means everything to me right now.
Last edited: