Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A New Lease on Life

It has now been about four months since my surgery. For new readers- I had about 30 cm of badly damaged terminal ileum removed back in February. A week later I had an obstruction and was back in the hospital but it resolved itself. All in all I had about 3 weeks of hospital time and 5 weeks total off work. So, inquiring minds want to know... how am I doing now?

Fan-frickin-tastic that's how! I am totally off of all Crohn's related medications, pain free, and nearly diarrhea free. The best part is... (drum roll)... I can eat almost anything I want! It's like being freed from 7 years of prison. I went through about 2 months of eating all the junky crap I thought I was missing. I'm now over that phase, and discovering all the healthy stuff like fruit, juice, fresh veggies, whole grains, cheese, salad, yogurt, etc. It's awesome!! I find that un-healthy foods leave me feeling kind of sick and blah.

My boyfriend and I are working on eating healthier and getting more exercise. I find that I now have more energy; whether it's because of my healthier eating habits or the fact that intestinal inflammation is no longer sapping my energy, I don't know. Maybe both. We are having a competition each month to see who can go up the 8 flights of stairs to our apartment the most times. Nothing like a little healthy competition!

Over all I feel like I have a whole new me. A new lease on life. Sadly, I realize that this likely won't last forever. IBD could return in a few months or a few years. I'm just hoping to make the most of this- and bank up as many cancer-fighting foods, and awesome experiences as possible in the meantime. Starting with a cruise this summer, and learning to roller-blade. I also hope that if and when it comes back, I can catch it earlier this time.

Overall, my post surgical resection experience has been a fantastic one. Here's hoping it lasts as long as possible!

6 comments:

  1. I am thrilled for you!! Congratulations on feeling good! It is so exciting to read about your progress. I can't tell you how happy I am for you. :) HUGS!!!!

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  2. Thanks Jenni! I'm so happy for your great news in your last blog post. Sounds like you're kicking butt at school. Yay! (I was unable to post a comment on your blog.)

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  3. Congratulations! ...just be very careful! I was diagnosed at 13, had 2 surgeries in 1996 (an emergency ileostomy and resection, and a later ileostomy reversal once my bowel had healed). I did really well and came off the drugs in 2004. Within 2 years, my disease was back in full swing, and had to have another resection in 2007. My Gastro has had two other cases of females in their late 20s that went off of medicine, only to find that it all came back. You may want to talk to your Doctor, and consider taking some maintenance drugs. I am happily on 6MP, and will likely be for the rest of my life. I know that every person's experience is different, but I just wanted to give a bit of warning regarding coming off meds completely.

    Take care,
    Elise, 26, Victoria, BC, Canada

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  4. This is great. I'm really happy for you. I've had similar success with my surgery and it has now been over four years (I do have bowel troubles from time to time, but that is just because of how much bowel they took out and not the disease according to my doctor, which is good). Hopefully things will continue to get better.

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  5. hi to all
    i was diagnose with crohn's disease 2006
    all medication fouled so i had to go for the surgery for a better quality of life
    i had laparotomy my terminal ileum small bowel resection surgery for crown's disease strictures
    i had the surgery on 10/12/2013
    i am recovery from the surgery i was in hospital for 7 days i am still in horrific pain from the surgery it is painful to walk about
    my surgeon said it was worst she's ever seen there was 20 strictures and they 1 meter of small bowel
    thanks

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