Call me Mrs. Crohn's



Pre Crohn's 2008


Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but is more commonly found in the end of the small bowel (ileum) and the beginning of the large intestine (colon).

The damaging inflammation resulting from Crohn’s may cause pain and may make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Crohn’s is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases.  
Unlike UC, which affects only the colon, Crohn’s can affect the entire digestive tract, with normal, healthy bowel found between sections of diseased bowel.

Truth be told, in my house, I am Mrs. Crohn's for probably 1/3-1/2 of the year. "Flare ups" are a process that consume weeks and months of my husband's precious time. Each flare weighs heavier on his spirit as I know he hopes that with the last flare ending, he was cured. There is no cure.He has been through 6 medications to try and get a grip on the inflammatory process in his body. Each of which have caused havoc on his other systems including his thyroid (now needs another medication because it is low) his liver and pancreas (has to keep a close eye because he now has fatty liver disease and high blood sugars).


In the hospital with his first BAD flare. This was his 25th birthday.



The first line of medications in steroids (not the muscle building kind) while these reduce the inflammation, they have more side effects than I could possible talk about in one post.  I have heard more than once "I would rather they cut out my guts then go back on steroids". I know he means that. The steroids that keep him from sleeping and give him an unsatisfiable appetite, subsequently gaining weight. They lower his immune system so that he basically constantly has a chest cold while he is on them.  The steroids drive the calcium out of his bones causing osteoporosis. At one point he was told not to fall down because his bones were so brittle that he was likely to break his neck.

He has been through 5 Gastroenterologists, 3 primary care doctors and one naturopath. He is scared to ask for pain medication when he needs it because of the doctors that have made him feel like he is abusing them (thanks to all the narcotic addicts out there, there is a stigma). We have paid thousands of dollars into this disease and have an immense amount of debt.  He is embarrassed of his disease. He did NOTHING to cause it.

Last month, still on steroids from Nov. 2012 Flare.

I'm sure if Colt knew this information was publicly displayed on my blog, he would get upset and ask me to take it off. However, there are too many people that are critical of me and of him and of us! These people ought to be educated on what we have gone through, what we are going through.

There arises the questions and speculations, (gotta love these!)

Q: If you would have known that he had Crohn's....

A: I didn't know and I'm assuming that there is a reason for that. I know now and I love him anyway. I vowed in sickness and health and I meant it.

Q: Why do you put up with.....

A: Imagine that for a month, you are sick as a dog with parvo. In the bathroom 70% of the time and in CONSTANT pain. Now, for a month, you are reducing your pain and bathroom trips but the medication you are taking keeps you awake for days on end, makes you super emotional and constantly hungry. You are gaining weight at a crazy rate and you have a chronic chest cold. POOF! ALL BETTER, no pain, less diarrhea and no meds. But after 2-3 months of this sick life, are you able to go back to your old routine right away? Hurry up! Lose that extra 20 pounds you just gained! Move around the house like you haven't been laid up for months! Go back to work (if your job will take you back)!

Speculation: He is faking/exaggerating.

My reaction: Really?! I have seen way too much of his disease to think that he is faking or exaggerating any of it. I mean, of all the diseases you could fake, why choose one that puts you on the toilet for half the day. If you really think this of him, I invite you to come stay at my house for a week next time he gets sick. Don't leave his side. Then tell me that you could handle the disease any better than he does.

Sometimes, I am sick of carrying everything. Sometimes, I'm tired of being the glue. I would prefer to be Velcro and hold half. You catch my drift right? Colt and I were placed in each other's lives for a reason. I was meant to be his wife and I know that with all my heart. In times that I am tired and want to blame him for my heavy load, I must remind myself of his load. And in addition to this, he has the guilt of not being an "equal half". He doesn't get the pleasure that I do. At least with my load, I'm helping the people I love. We have yet to find the reason, if any that he was cursed with this disease. We have yet to see that rainbow through this rain of hopes and disappointments. I strongly urge anyone that has input, to put your self in Colt's situation, or mine. If you can't, take me up on my offer and come see it for yourself.

 You don't get to pick the cards you are dealt but its up to you how you play your hand.