World IBD Day

May 19th marks World IBD Day, and as a person who lives with IBD I thought I would share a few of my thoughts...maybe more for myself than anyone else.

It has been sixteen years since I was diagnosed, but I know I have lived with Crohn's Disease for most of my life. Now, while I am remission I feel that I can live with this disease, but, when I am in the midst of a flare up I don't know how I can go on. On several occasions I have been hospitalized and spent weeks at a time away from my children and family. Many times I have begged my doctors to give me a colostomy just to end the cycle.

All three of my children were considered high risk pregnancies. For each child I spent a chunk of the pregnancy taking oral steroids, which scared me with each and every pill what I was doing to my unborn child.

Crohn's Disease is more than just the physical effects on your colon, I have suffered two doubts of erythema nedosum (which is a painful bruise-type sores which you get on your lower legs). Each time I was unable to get around for weeks due to the pain.

Because of Crohn's Disease I have taken so many steroids, that my bones are weakened. When I had my third child I suffered a broken bone in my back which needs to be fused, however, doctors won't do it because of the risk of my whole spine crumbling.

While, I try every day to accept the things I can't change. I think the biggest effect of IBD is the fear I live in watching my children every day. Each time one of my kids become sick with flu like symptoms, or if they get diarrhea my mind races with the fear that they may become ill with IBD. This fear seems to rule my life and I continuously ask my kids to tell me if they get cramps.

Please join me in pledging your support for a brighter future for people suffering from IBD. For greater understanding of what it means to live with IBD day in and day out.

I have hope for a bright future with more acceptance and understanding for Canadians with IBD.