Friday, May 23, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Happy Birthday & Mother's Day To Me!
Was looking forward to spending a nice day with my mom and sister to celebrate my birthday and Mother's Day.
Started out good. No pain besides a little joint pain. Didn't eat breakfast so I wouldn't need to go to the bathroom during 10:40 a.m. movie.
Forty minutes into the movie something didn't feel right. I started feel a warmth in my pants. I excused myself and tried to walk as fastest as I could to the bathroom. Get to the bathroom and confirm I just had an accident. All I could do is cry as I try to figure out what I was going to do now. Get myself together and begin to clean myself up.
Returned to the movie theater with my family as if nothing happened when I really just want to be alone and cry. I put on my brave face and push along through the remainder of the things planned for the day.
Can I have just one day without a symptom? Crohn's sucks!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
What Is A Crohnie? What Is Crohn's?
What is a "Crohnie"?
A "Crohnie" is person with Crohn's Disease. Due to the similarities of Crohn's Disease to Ulcerative Colitis (UC), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Colitis and the umbrella term "Irritable Bowel Disease", we Crohnies accept persons suffering with UC, IBS, IBD, and Colitis as one of our own. We accepting them as a "Crohnie".
Being a "Crohnie" is often difficult to talk about. People with Crohn's Disease cannot control their bowels, will pass gas unintentionally or have "accidents". Crohnies endure the long sleepless nights, pain, feelings of loneliness, public embarrassment, and the fear that those who don't have this disease won’t really understand what we are going through. It is hard to explain that we are sick when we appear to be perfectly healthy.
Most Crohnies don't complain too much about being sick, but the sick feeling never goes away.
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn’s Disease is a part of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease should not be confused with Ulcerative Colitis. The symptoms of these two illnesses are quite similar, but the areas affected in the gastrointestinal tract are different.
Crohn’s most commonly affect the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the colon, but it may affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the colon, also called the large intestine. Both illnesses do have one strong feature in common. They are marked by an abnormal response by the body’s immune system. The immune system is composed of various cells and proteins which normally protect the body from infection. In people with Crohn’s Disease, the immune system reacts inappropriately.
People who suffer from IBD, the immune system reacts inappropriately, mistaking benign or beneficial cells and bacteria for harmful foreign substances causing the immune system can do harm the gastrointestinal tract and produce the symptoms of IBD.
Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the GI tract. While symptoms vary in each person, some are more common than others. Symptoms related to inflammation of the GI tract include: persistent diarrhea; rectal bleeding; malnutrition, urgent need to move bowels; abdominal cramps and pain; ulcers; constipation which can lead to bowel obstruction. General symptoms that may also be associated with IBD include: fever; loss of appetite; weight loss; fatigue; night sweats; eye inflammation; mouth sores; skin disorders; inflammation of liver and bile ducts; loss of normal menstrual cycle; delayed growth and development in children.
The symptoms Crohnies experience may depend on which part of the GI tract is affected.
There are five types of Crohn's disease:
Crohn's is a chronic disease, so this means patients will likely experience periods when the disease flares up and causes symptoms, followed by periods of remission when patients may not notices symptoms at all.
Crohnies are diagnosed with Crohn’s between the ages of 20 and 30. The causes of Crohn’s Disease are not well understood. Diet and stress may aggravate Crohn’s Disease, but they do not cause the disease. Research suggests hereditary, genetics, and/or environmental factors contribute to the development of Crohn’s Disease.
The GI tract normally contains harmless bacteria, many of which aid in digestion. The immune system usually attacks and kills foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Under normal circumstances, the harmless bacteria in the intestines are protected from such an attack. In people with IBD, these bacteria are mistaken for harmful invaders and the immune system mounts a response. Cells travel out of the blood to the intestines and produce inflammation which is a normal immune system response. However, the inflammation does not subside, leading to chronic inflammation, ulceration, thickening of the intestinal wall, and eventually causing patient symptoms.
Crohn’s tends to run in families. Studies have shown that 5% to 20% of affected individuals have a first – degree relative (parents, child, or sibling) with one of the diseases. This risk is greater with Crohn’s Disease than Ulcerative Colitis. The disease is most common among people of eastern European backgrounds, including Jews of European descent. In recent years, an increasing number of cases have been reported among African Americans.
Here are a few additional facts about Crohn's Disease
A "Crohnie" is person with Crohn's Disease. Due to the similarities of Crohn's Disease to Ulcerative Colitis (UC), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Colitis and the umbrella term "Irritable Bowel Disease", we Crohnies accept persons suffering with UC, IBS, IBD, and Colitis as one of our own. We accepting them as a "Crohnie".
Being a "Crohnie" is often difficult to talk about. People with Crohn's Disease cannot control their bowels, will pass gas unintentionally or have "accidents". Crohnies endure the long sleepless nights, pain, feelings of loneliness, public embarrassment, and the fear that those who don't have this disease won’t really understand what we are going through. It is hard to explain that we are sick when we appear to be perfectly healthy.
Most Crohnies don't complain too much about being sick, but the sick feeling never goes away.
What is Crohn's Disease?
Crohn’s Disease is a part of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease should not be confused with Ulcerative Colitis. The symptoms of these two illnesses are quite similar, but the areas affected in the gastrointestinal tract are different.
Crohn’s most commonly affect the end of the small bowel and the beginning of the colon, but it may affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative Colitis is limited to the colon, also called the large intestine. Both illnesses do have one strong feature in common. They are marked by an abnormal response by the body’s immune system. The immune system is composed of various cells and proteins which normally protect the body from infection. In people with Crohn’s Disease, the immune system reacts inappropriately.
People who suffer from IBD, the immune system reacts inappropriately, mistaking benign or beneficial cells and bacteria for harmful foreign substances causing the immune system can do harm the gastrointestinal tract and produce the symptoms of IBD.
Crohn’s Disease can affect any part of the GI tract. While symptoms vary in each person, some are more common than others. Symptoms related to inflammation of the GI tract include: persistent diarrhea; rectal bleeding; malnutrition, urgent need to move bowels; abdominal cramps and pain; ulcers; constipation which can lead to bowel obstruction. General symptoms that may also be associated with IBD include: fever; loss of appetite; weight loss; fatigue; night sweats; eye inflammation; mouth sores; skin disorders; inflammation of liver and bile ducts; loss of normal menstrual cycle; delayed growth and development in children.
The symptoms Crohnies experience may depend on which part of the GI tract is affected.
There are five types of Crohn's disease:
Ileocolitis - The most common form of Crohn's, ileocolitis affects the end of the small intestine (the ileum) and the large intestine (the colon). Symptoms include diarrhea and cramping or pain in the right lower part or middle of the abdomen. This type is often accompanied by significant weight loss.
Ileitis - This type affects only the ileum. Symptoms are the same as ileocolitis. In severe cases, complications may include fistulas or inflammatory abscess in right lower quadrant of abdomen.
Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease - This type affects the stomach and the beginning of the small intestine(the duodenum). Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting.
Jejunoileitis - This type is characterized by patchy areas of inflammation in the upper half of the small intestine (the jejunum). Symptoms include mild to intense abdominal pain and cramps following meals, as well as diarrhea. In severe cases or after prolonged periods, fistulas may form.
Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis - This type affects the colon only. Symptoms include diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and disease around the anus (abscess, fistulas, ulcers). Skin lesions and joint pains are more common in this form of Crohn's than in others
In more severe cases, Crohn’s can lead to tears (fissures) in the lining of the anus, which may cause pain and bleeding, especially during bowel movements. Inflammation may also cause a fistula to develop. A fistula is a tunnel that leads from one loop of intestine to another, or that connects the intestine to the bladder, vagina, or skin.Crohn's is a chronic disease, so this means patients will likely experience periods when the disease flares up and causes symptoms, followed by periods of remission when patients may not notices symptoms at all.
Crohnies are diagnosed with Crohn’s between the ages of 20 and 30. The causes of Crohn’s Disease are not well understood. Diet and stress may aggravate Crohn’s Disease, but they do not cause the disease. Research suggests hereditary, genetics, and/or environmental factors contribute to the development of Crohn’s Disease.
The GI tract normally contains harmless bacteria, many of which aid in digestion. The immune system usually attacks and kills foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms. Under normal circumstances, the harmless bacteria in the intestines are protected from such an attack. In people with IBD, these bacteria are mistaken for harmful invaders and the immune system mounts a response. Cells travel out of the blood to the intestines and produce inflammation which is a normal immune system response. However, the inflammation does not subside, leading to chronic inflammation, ulceration, thickening of the intestinal wall, and eventually causing patient symptoms.
Crohn’s tends to run in families. Studies have shown that 5% to 20% of affected individuals have a first – degree relative (parents, child, or sibling) with one of the diseases. This risk is greater with Crohn’s Disease than Ulcerative Colitis. The disease is most common among people of eastern European backgrounds, including Jews of European descent. In recent years, an increasing number of cases have been reported among African Americans.
Here are a few additional facts about Crohn's Disease
- Crohn's Disease was named after Dr. Burrill Bernard Crohn.
- The Crohn's Awareness ribbon is purple.
- Crohn’s is a chronic illness meaning it’s life long.
- Crohn’s is considered a disability recognized by the ADA.
- Crohn’s is an autoimmune disease meaning Crohnies' immune systems are confused and beating them up.
- 0.5% of people have Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis. While this is a minority, that is still 1.4 million Americans.
- Many with Crohn’s also have other auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
- Treatment for Crohn’s is more expensive than treatment for cancer.
- Most Crohnies (3 out of every 4) will have serious surgeries during their lifetime.
- Unlike Ulcerative Colitis, surgery does not cure Crohn’s Disease.
- There is a link between Crohn’s and infertility.
- When you hear about the flu or other bugs affecting the “at-risk” community (the elderly, young children and sick), it includes Crohnies.
- Crohnies are often deemed ineligible for life insurance.
- Crohnies are more likely to develop cancer than the general public.
- Crohnies have good days and bad days. Some days we feel very crummy and other days we perfectly fine. Sometimes this can happen within the same day.
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Crohn's Walk 2014
Dear Family & Friends,
On June 21, 2014, I will be walking in
National Capital Area Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis walk, the nation’s
largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. I have made a
bold commitment to raise much needed funds to find a cure for digestive
diseases. My personal goal is to raise more than $1,500 for this worthy cause
and I need your help to reach this goal!
Please be sure to also check with your
company to see if they will match your gift. Simply return your company's
completed matching gift form to me and I will forward to CCFA.
More than 1.4 million patients across the
country suffer from Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Beyond raising money for research, Take Steps
brings together the community in a fun and energetic atmosphere. Participants
raise funds and awareness throughout the year and come together to celebrate
the steps that have been taken towards a cure.Your tax-deductible gift
will truly make a difference in the thousands of lives suffering with IBD. If
you are interested in joining me on walk day and helping my fundraising
efforts, please register to join my team.
You can support my efforts by making a
tax deductible contribution to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation:
•
Donate online http://online.ccfa.org/goto/KiasJourney
or
•
Mail a check,
made payable to CCFA to 5015 Lincoln Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705.
Your tax-deductible gift will truly make
a difference in the thousands of lives suffering with IBD. If you would like to
do more, you can also join my team and set a fundraising goal for
yourself. You can register today by
visiting www.cctakesteps.org/washingtondc, and following the
prompts to register for the National Capital Area Walk on June 21, 2014.
When you register, you will receive valuable fundraising tools and information
from the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, in addition to your own personal
fundraising Website.
With your help, we will fund important
research and raise awareness of these debilitating digestive diseases affecting
1.4 million Americans. If you have
questions about Take Steps or the work of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you in advance for your support!
I appreciate your support and will keep
you posted on my progress.
Sincerely,
Kia
KiasJourney@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)