What happened at the end of today's 24 hours?

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Regular Joe

Regular Joe

Senior Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2009
Messages
302
I just got home from the Cleveland Clinic (yet again!). I stayed as long as I could, but the GI docs were knee-deep in 4 emergencies, so a few question marks came up at the end of my 24 hours.

Like:
-What happened to the 15-20 pounds she was wearing 3 weeks ago?
-Where did her appetite disappear to?
-How come I can wrap my hand completely around her upper arm and touch my fingers on the other side?

And:
What are the results of (tomorrow's) CT?

I've been poked in the arm and stared up at enough florescent lights from on my back to know she's sick. It's not little sick either. It's visit-the-nurse-grab-the-nearest-GI-doc sick. It's same-day non-ER admission sick.

You know when someone you love is hurting. But somehow you're never really prepared no matter how much you think you're prepared. When you look into hollow eyes, and they're the only eyes you love as much, you probably understand what a "sinking heart" feels like.

That's what happened at the end of my 24 hours today.
 
I'm sorry Joe. No ones ever prepared for that sort of thing. I do hope that things start getting better soon.
 
oh Joe - i am not sure who it is that's so poorly... i'm guessing your mom? i'm so sorry to hear the pain in your words :(

big hugs, Joe - be strong.
 
Sorry, no it's my girlfriend. She's sick. I'm worried because I know the disease, and how it effects us. This is the sickest she's been, the doctor who admitted her said her condition is severe.. I'm worried, I don't remember her being this way before, and she hasn't looked or felt like this before.
 
Regular Joe said:
-What happened to the 15-20 pounds she was wearing 3 weeks ago?
-Where did her appetite disappear to?
-How come I can wrap my hand completely around her upper arm and touch my fingers on the other side?

And:
What are the results of (tomorrow's) CT?


You know when someone you love is hurting. But somehow you're never really prepared no matter how much you think you're prepared. When you look into hollow eyes, and they're the only eyes you love as much, you probably understand what a "sinking heart" feels like.
Click to expand...

Oh God Joe, I'm sorry i've just read your post and yes I completely understand how you feel.

I am thinking of you both and sending my love xxxxxxxxx

How are you both?
 
Oh, Joe, so sorry to hear that your girlfriend's doing so poorly. It sounds like you're doing the best you can for her, which is to be there for her and to ask the doctors whatever questions you can. It sounds like she may be too sick to advocate for herself so that's wonderful that you're there, you're experienced with the disease yourself, and you know what kinds of questions to ask. I'm sure she appreciates you being there for her. I really hope she gets much better very soon!
 
Joe - It just seems like you're being hit by blows every way you turn these days. I really feel for you and hope you both get some much need answers and relief.
 
Thank all of you for your support and kind thoughts.

I just got off the phone with her. She's getting IV everything right now, including steroids and I think Cipro. She's now starting the CT prep. They suspect a fistula.
 
Aw Joe
sending my best to you and yours!
hopefully she is in safe hands and they find some answers soon
and you take it easy too Joe, or you'll be poorly too
xxxx
 
Hey Joe, I am really sorry for you and your lady that this is going on right now. I know what it is to have both yourself and your partner have cronic conditions, but it is always worse when it is your "other half" who is hurting. Hoping things change around very soon Joe. :hang:
 
let's hope they can identify what's bringing her down so much, and get it sorted quickly!!
thinking of you both, Joe. x
 
Regular Joe said:
Sorry, no it's my girlfriend. She's sick. I'm worried because I know the disease, and how it effects us. This is the sickest she's been, the doctor who admitted her said her condition is severe.. I'm worried, I don't remember her being this way before, and she hasn't looked or felt like this before.
Click to expand...


So sorry Joe! Isnt it strange when we fall ill and we are used to it, but another family member is hard to deal with, because you want to go in there and fix it! My thoughts are with you both right now, you have been thru so much in the last while. :ghug: all of us to both of you!
 
Sending warm thoughts your way, Joe. So sorry that your girlfriend is unwell.
 
Oh, Joe, I hope your girlfriend feels better soon! She is lucky to have someone like you. Keep strong, and don't forget to take good care of yourself, too.
 
Hey Joe,

How are things going?

Thinking about both of you Joe. I know the pain and fear you are feeling, the standing by and the endless wait, the helplessness.

Please keep us posted.

:hug::hug::hug:
Dusty
 
Hello everyone,

I spent some time with her this evening. She's pretty much shook up and disbelief.

So far with the results from the CT in, she has multiple strictures, with a big one somewhere near the ileum. Ouch - strictures. She's undergoing an EGD (I think that's the initials - down the throat) tomorrow. The colon is too inflamed to do a colonoscopy for now. She is whipped, both physically and mentally. But her pain isn't as bad today.

She's getting IV steroids, Cipro and Flagyl. No food so far because of all the testing.

This is pretty severe, and they've warned her ahead of time that surgery is inevitable. My heart breaks - probably because I know Crohn's disease, and there is nothing that is happening to her that I don't understand AND I know the way to healing is going to be long and difficult. What she is facing is a very severe and complicated situation, and there is no easy way out.

What is more worrisome is that the CT was only the first diagnostic procedure.
 
So sorry Joe! I know what she is going through. She sounds as bad as I was just before my first surgery. Been on Cipro and flagyl and pred to get the inflammation down because surgery was a must. It is best to not be heavily infected so they treating her aggressively. Wow, such a heart ache! Her only lucky thing is she has YOU, and she knows you know the pain and the scary things going through her head. Maybe having surgery will be the answer for her and get out of this misery and pain.

Hang in there Joe you are tough , and I am sure everything will be fine. Keep us posted on her and look after yourself too ok. Thinking of ya.
 
Dear Joe: Thinking of you both and sending warm thoughts during this difficult time.
 
Thinking of you both Joe at this difficult time
Thank god she has you!
you're a toughie, you're gonna be ok, just look after yourself too!
xxxxx
 
Feeling for you and your lady. She is fortunate to have someone who so loves and understands to watch over her.
 
Sending hugs to you and the GF.

If surgery IS indeed inevitable, I hope it makes her feel much better.

xo -Amy
 
Hi,

My girlfriend was discharged Saturday. I got the chance to review her tests. I don't know where the "multiple stricture" diagnosis came from, but it was not in her treatment record.

Nothing remarkable for this disease. She has the same diagnosis as me, and she is flaring in a major way in the same places. Her flare is a lot worse than mine. As difficult as "mild Crohn's" can be for me, I have a birds eye view of the less milder form known as "severe". They sent her home on Pred and Flagyl. She's beat up pretty bad, but we're both relieved there are no strictures or absesses.

She's pretty distraught, and I understand. She went over a year without any major symptoms, then out of the clear blue, KABOOM. For now, the flare needs to be brought under control, then she'll be sorting out the options.

On a somewhat different note, having the disease myself helps me a great deal in being a supportive friend. If I were a boyfriend that didn't physically know what she's going through, my attitude and reactions would be different. To those of you who don't have the disease, and are supporting your partner who does, God bless you because I can only imagine how difficult the whole thing must be for you to understand. I wouldn't want to wish this disease on anyone, but unless you have it, there aren't words that can accurately describe the pain and difficult emotions you face.
 
Hey Joe, I really feel for the two of you, that's a lot of stuff to have going on together. I am happy that she is well enough to be out of the Hospital and the stress, frustrations, and intermittent threats to staff (or maybe that's just my visits). I hope that you are both on the mend really soon. Way to be a supportive man for your lady.!
 
Hey Joe,

I know there is still a hard road to hoe but it's good to hear your girlfriend is home. I wish you both the very best.

Take care,
Dusty
 
Hey Joe, glad you guys are home!! I'm sure all you said there is true. Good she has you!!! Take care of her and yourself too!!
 
Hi Joe, just checking in to see how you and your girl are doing? Hope you are both doing much better!
 

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