surgery update

Here we go. Today was my final surgeon appt before surgery in 3 weeks.

When I last saw my surgeon he was going to spend time reviewing my scans/tests...one by one. This is because I have had pre-cancer polyps removed during my colonoscopy for 2 years in a row. His fear was that I may need part or all of my colon removed during surgery.

Today he did say that he thinks my colon is fine. He will check it out during surgery just to make sure.

I have had some complications recently that made the surgeon and I discuss moving my surgery up. These complications include randomly vomiting and partial obstructions. I had a partial obstruction while at work a few days ago. I needed to be laying on my left side with a heat compress....instead I sat at my desk and breathed through it before vomiting. It's not fun nor easy to deal with. and it can be extremely dangerous.

My surgeon and I made an agreement that I will think about it over the weekend and call him Monday if I would like to move my surgery up until next week.

I would really like to keep my original surgery date of August 9th if possible. I don't want to screw work over and I have some personal things that I would like to take care of.

I am now asking for your prayers. We need all that we can get right now.

time for a medical update

Thought it was about time for a little update on my health status...

I went to UT Southwestern this past Monday, June 24th for a second opinion. It was determined that I am steroid dependent and that I do in fact need surgery soon. Because the doctors don't want to do surgery while I am on steroids and my body is dependent on them, I am weening down slowly.

I am only on 5mg of Prednisone, and have been at that dosage for 6ish months (total of 14 months on Prednisone at different dosages. The max you should be on it is 3 months). However, any time I have gone from 5mg to 2.5mg I have gone into full flare again. So for now we are going down 1mg a week until I am completely off. This should take about 4 weeks with hopefully no complications.

I meet with a surgeon this Wednesday, July 3rd for a surgery consult and to schedule a surgery date. This should be happening within the next month to month and a half.

It is major surgery. They will start laproscopic and if it looks worse than they thought when they get in, they will have to completely open me up. They will be taking the diseased portions of my small intestine and also my ileocecal valve.

The plan is for me to be in the hospital for 4 or 5 days. The recovery time is about 6 weeks.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Defeated

Today is one of those days. I feel defeated. Defeated by my body fighting itself. Defeating by my body literally attacking itself. Defeated by Crohn's Disease.

I am sad. I am mad.

Just wanted to put this out there:

I have had a few requests lately that I give supplements a try from some friends and family that are selling them.

While I appreciate your thought and care, I simply can not accept these offers at this time. I am doing what is required to survive at this point.

My biggest issue right now is that I have a stricture (narrowing) in my small intestine which is entirely scar tissue.

Honestly, no supplement I take is going to get rid of scar tissue.

So please don't take it personal when I say no.
Please don't make me explain my reasoning for saying no.
Last time I checked, no still meant no. LOL

May 9th, 2012

On May 9th, it will be 1 year since I heard those words that would change my life forever, while sitting in the ER with my Mom.

"Mrs. Schlaht, from the CT Scan results, you have what I believe is Crohn's Disease. You will need to see a GI to do further testing ASAP."

Those words hit me hard and put my life into a spin that had yet to slow down.

I have gone through many types of medicines: Pentasa, Prednisone, Potassium, Entocort, Humira, 6mp, and many anti-biotics.

I have learned to give myself injections.

I have had my first over night hospital stay, which last 3 nights/4 days.

I have been to the ER more times than I can count.

I have had blood work done 2-3 times a month.

I have had multiple testing done.

I have had complications due to the drugs: sinus surgery; 3 root canals and crowns; nausea; vomiting; bleeding; pain - physical and emotional.

I have had partial obstructions.

And most recent, it was confirmed that my stricture in my ileum is scar tissue. We had hoped for inflammation instead, but there was very little.

I have some more testing on the 20th of this month, and then my follow up appointment with my GI on the 30th. From there we will determine the next step. Re-sectioning surgery is VERY VERY VERY high on that list.

It's been a rough year for myself and for Ben, as well as the rest of my family.

I have become an admin on a great FB group. IBD Journeys http://www.facebook.com/groups/ibdjourneys/

I have made some amazing friends that share my same disease of IBD.

I have done the Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis Walk.

I have learned a lot about myself and my strengths.

Please continue to pray as we pursue the next step in this process.

Thank you to everyone who has been an amazing support system for myself and others with IBD.

And just like that……a decision is made.

After lots of thoughts, research, prayers, asking other’s opinions, etc…..I have decided to add the 6-MP (talked about in my previous post) to my list of drugs.

After talking with the GI’s office some more, I feel like I can add this in and give it a try. (anything to avoid surgery at this point).

If I don’t like it, or I feel it isn’t working, or my blood/lab work gets crazy…..I will discontinue it.

So please keep me/us in your prayers.