This is not a vent! - Crohns Disease Forum - Support group and forum for IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

farm · 12-09-2009, 04:37 PM

Well it’s been just about a year now that my current flare started up. During this flare I have had my ascending and transverse colon removed, started Remicade, and have learned fun terms such as “random vomiting”, “obstruction”, and “corticosteroid induced mania”.
I have been in fights with pain, chronic diarrhea, fatigue, and insomnia. For the most part I have lost these fights. Once an entire year passes you start to loose hope that remission will become part of your vocabulary again.
Trying out all the different medications was almost as fun as the bough’s of depression; landing me in the hospital only twice.
I have learned to dread going to the bathroom because of the intolerable pain, but to always ensure one is close by as it is inevitable.
I have learned that anemia sucks and knowing that you are anemic and seeing yourself bleeding everyday is bewildering.

Also, and more importantly, I have become a member of Crohns Forum, made life-long friends, and have learned more about my disease than I ever would have through my medical care. I have learned that no matter how bad it gets, it could be worse. I have learned that my symptoms are manageable and one day I will reach remission. I have learned that even though depression goes hand in hand with this disease; it’s treatable and livable. I’ve learned that you have to have a sense of humor with this crap. Literally. I have also seen that I am very lucky despite this disease.
Slowly but surely I am learning to control Crohns rather than have Crohns control me.

Peaches · 12-09-2009, 04:53 PM

Very nicely said Farm!! Always the optimist.....it is what makes you YOU!

Jettalady · 12-09-2009, 04:57 PM

Yeah good thing he is cute too eh? LOL

Peaches · 12-09-2009, 05:04 PM

THAT boy? Nah...he's my brother! I can't think of him that way LOL!

farm · 12-09-2009, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jettalady

Yeah good thing he is cute too eh? LOL

I make it through life with my looks 'cause my accent is terrible!

Jettalady · 12-09-2009, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farm

I make it through life with my looks 'cause my accent is terrible!

Well you could be like the Red Green show where he says "if the women don't find you handsome, they might find you handy" something like that, only heard it once.

farm · 12-09-2009, 05:33 PM

As long as they 'find' me, I'm good!

shazamataz · 12-09-2009, 07:13 PM

Yay Farmie - you are an inspiration!

pewpewlasers · 12-09-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shazamataz

Yay Farmie - you are an inspiration!

I concur!

farm · 12-09-2009, 09:17 PM

It's amazing the strength I've obtained from you guys! I hope I help you guys out just a fraction of what you all have given me.

Peaches · 12-09-2009, 10:20 PM

You've helped me alright - you've helped me get a leg up on way too many laugh lines....

Rhonda · 12-10-2009, 12:35 AM

So true Farm. My plan is to learn more from this disease than it has taken. So far I'm learning to be gentler with my own failings, to look beyond appearances, that I can survive much more than I ever thought I could, that I'm one helluva Mama Bear, and... one I'm still struggling with... asking for help when I need it.

BWS1982 · 12-10-2009, 07:51 AM

I did sort of the same thing Farm, I had a thread here last year for my one year anniversary, but only this time for my flare up, not diagnosis, and it was a lot of retrospect and introspect, and I felt saddened more than anything, maybe because anniversaries are times for celebration, and it was one of sorrow and rage for me instead. Keep the chin up, fight the good fight.

Sue-2009 · 12-10-2009, 12:12 PM

You are amazing!!! Keep the positive posting for us newbies...It is at times so overwhelming....Sue

fenway1971 · 12-10-2009, 01:29 PM

Well said, my friend. This disease is a monster at times but we can't let it conquer our spirits. Now go drink some beer.

farm · 12-11-2009, 12:16 PM

Get the H E double hockey sticks off my thread you holistic spammer!!

Peaches · 12-11-2009, 12:36 PM

Haaa - that's funny - I was like WHA......nice picture.....seems very soothing Farmie - maybe you should try it.

farm · 12-11-2009, 01:02 PM

Does she come with it??

imisspopcorn · 12-11-2009, 04:12 PM

Bahawaha.....

Rhonda · 12-11-2009, 04:30 PM

Yes Farm, she does...

Peaches · 12-11-2009, 05:07 PM

Well then, I want the guy version......

imisspopcorn · 12-11-2009, 06:37 PM

Aww Farm she's gone. I think you hurt her feelings!

Pirate · 12-11-2009, 09:56 PM

Nice post Farm. I have had 22 such anniveraries and the 23 will be Feb 5th. I have never liked these dates and have always suffered some of my worse bouts of depression . The only thing I ever took away from them was I was still alive and still had CD.
I believe this year will be differant because of all you guys. I never had others that really understood what I go through. My wife is the best, but she can only see the surface of this horrible monster. With you and the rest of my new Crohnie friends I have a whole new world to learn from.

Thank-you Farm and everyone else for really educating and befriending an old Chohnie.

farm · 03-09-2010, 12:58 PM

I'm happy to report that my Crohns has *seemed* to have calmed down over the past couple of weeks. I'm not a band-wagon jumper by any means, but I finally ordered some probiotics and they have helped a lot.
The rest of life is extremely crazy at the moment, so I'm not around as much.
To all you fighters I say, Keep your head and chin up. It can and will get better eventually.

InkyStinky · 03-09-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farm

To all you fighters I say, Keep your head and chin up. It can and will get better eventually.

Hi Farm - I'm glad you're finally starting to get some relief! Thanks for those words of encouragement; I needed to hear them today.

Jer's Girl · 03-09-2010, 04:39 PM

Thanks Farm. I was feeling pretty sorry or myself this morning. This post really helped. You've got to look on the bright side, even when this disease is getting you down like it is for me right now.

ameslouise · 03-09-2010, 11:49 PM

Thanks for reminding us that there is always a silver lining.

- Amy

Mountaingem · 03-10-2010, 07:13 AM

Farm, I'm so glad you're getting some relief. You were the first person who really reached out to me and made me feel welcome on this forum, I wish nothing but the best for you and hope life starts treating you better really soon!

12-09-2009, 04:37 PM	#1
farm Captain Insaneo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6,359	This is not a vent! Well it’s been just about a year now that my current flare started up. During this flare I have had my ascending and transverse colon removed, started Remicade, and have learned fun terms such as “random vomiting”, “obstruction”, and “corticosteroid induced mania”. I have been in fights with pain, chronic diarrhea, fatigue, and insomnia. For the most part I have lost these fights. Once an entire year passes you start to loose hope that remission will become part of your vocabulary again. Trying out all the different medications was almost as fun as the bough’s of depression; landing me in the hospital only twice. I have learned to dread going to the bathroom because of the intolerable pain, but to always ensure one is close by as it is inevitable. I have learned that anemia sucks and knowing that you are anemic and seeing yourself bleeding everyday is bewildering. Also, and more importantly, I have become a member of Crohns Forum, made life-long friends, and have learned more about my disease than I ever would have through my medical care. I have learned that no matter how bad it gets, it could be worse. I have learned that my symptoms are manageable and one day I will reach remission. I have learned that even though depression goes hand in hand with this disease; it’s treatable and livable. I’ve learned that you have to have a sense of humor with this crap. Literally. I have also seen that I am very lucky despite this disease. Slowly but surely I am learning to control Crohns rather than have Crohns control me. __________________ Have you sharted lately? (Just wait.)

12-09-2009, 05:33 PM	#7
farm Captain Insaneo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6,359	As long as they 'find' me, I'm good! __________________ Have you sharted lately? (Just wait.)

12-09-2009, 07:13 PM	#8
shazamataz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Zealand, Dunedin Posts: 3,672	Yay Farmie - you are an inspiration! __________________ Farting is FUN

12-09-2009, 09:17 PM	#10
farm Captain Insaneo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6,359	It's amazing the strength I've obtained from you guys! I hope I help you guys out just a fraction of what you all have given me. __________________ Have you sharted lately? (Just wait.)

12-10-2009, 12:35 AM	#12
Rhonda Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Norcal Posts: 134	So true Farm. My plan is to learn more from this disease than it has taken. So far I'm learning to be gentler with my own failings, to look beyond appearances, that I can survive much more than I ever thought I could, that I'm one helluva Mama Bear, and... one I'm still struggling with... asking for help when I need it. __________________ ~Rhonda She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot. ~ Mark Twain

12-09-2009, 04:53 PM	#2
Peaches Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,994	Very nicely said Farm!! Always the optimist.....it is what makes you YOU!

12-09-2009, 04:57 PM	#3
Jettalady Your Story Forum Monitor Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: North Western, ONT Posts: 3,604	Yeah good thing he is cute too eh? LOL

12-09-2009, 05:04 PM	#4
Peaches Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,994	THAT boy? Nah...he's my brother! I can't think of him that way LOL!

12-09-2009, 10:20 PM	#11
Peaches Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,994	You've helped me alright - you've helped me get a leg up on way too many laugh lines....

12-10-2009, 07:51 AM	#13
BWS1982 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 4,213	I did sort of the same thing Farm, I had a thread here last year for my one year anniversary, but only this time for my flare up, not diagnosis, and it was a lot of retrospect and introspect, and I felt saddened more than anything, maybe because anniversaries are times for celebration, and it was one of sorrow and rage for me instead. Keep the chin up, fight the good fight. __________________ -diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in Sept. 2006, currently 27 years old "Chuck Norris can kill two stones with one bird." "Men with Spartan lives, simple in their creature comforts, if only to allow for the complexity of their passions." -The X-Files, S4

12-10-2009, 12:12 PM	#14
Sue-2009 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 360	You are amazing!!! Keep the positive posting for us newbies...It is at times so overwhelming....Sue

12-10-2009, 01:29 PM	#15
fenway1971 Sports Crohnie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,834	Well said, my friend. This disease is a monster at times but we can't let it conquer our spirits. Now go drink some beer. __________________ Fen Crohn's Colitis (2003-present) Kidney Stones (1998, 2003, 2008) Medication 6-MP (2009-present) Vitamins/Supplements Multivitamin, Vitamin D, Turmeric Super Powers I am Batman

12-11-2009, 12:16 PM	#16
farm Captain Insaneo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6,359	Get the H E double hockey sticks off my thread you holistic spammer!! __________________ Have you sharted lately? (Just wait.)

12-11-2009, 12:36 PM	#17
Peaches Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,994	Haaa - that's funny - I was like WHA......nice picture.....seems very soothing Farmie - maybe you should try it.

12-11-2009, 01:02 PM	#18
farm Captain Insaneo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6,359	Does she come with it?? __________________ Have you sharted lately? (Just wait.)

12-11-2009, 04:12 PM	#19
imisspopcorn Punctuation Impaired Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5,945	Bahawaha..... __________________ ~~~~~~~~~* Instead of hiding in the darkness of a grey cloud, why not look for the silver lining?

12-11-2009, 04:30 PM	#20
Rhonda Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Norcal Posts: 134	Yes Farm, she does... __________________ ~Rhonda She was not quite what you would call refined. She was not quite what you would call unrefined. She was the kind of person that keeps a parrot. ~ Mark Twain

12-11-2009, 05:07 PM	#21
Peaches Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,994	Well then, I want the guy version......

12-11-2009, 06:37 PM	#22
imisspopcorn Punctuation Impaired Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 5,945	Aww Farm she's gone. I think you hurt her feelings! __________________ ~~~~~~~~~* Instead of hiding in the darkness of a grey cloud, why not look for the silver lining?

12-11-2009, 09:56 PM	#23
Pirate Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Freeland, MI. Posts: 1,167	Nice post Farm. I have had 22 such anniveraries and the 23 will be Feb 5th. I have never liked these dates and have always suffered some of my worse bouts of depression . The only thing I ever took away from them was I was still alive and still had CD. I believe this year will be differant because of all you guys. I never had others that really understood what I go through. My wife is the best, but she can only see the surface of this horrible monster. With you and the rest of my new Crohnie friends I have a whole new world to learn from. Thank-you Farm and everyone else for really educating and befriending an old Chohnie. __________________ I'm the Captain of my own pirate ship. You'll find me on the POOP deck! Greg Yancer Diagnosed w/ CD Febuary 1986 No surgeries Current meds:REMICADE (CATS SCARE ME), Pentasa, Nexium, Probonics.

03-09-2010, 12:58 PM	#24
farm Captain Insaneo Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NC Posts: 6,359	I'm happy to report that my Crohns has seemed to have calmed down over the past couple of weeks. I'm not a band-wagon jumper by any means, but I finally ordered some probiotics and they have helped a lot. The rest of life is extremely crazy at the moment, so I'm not around as much. To all you fighters I say, Keep your head and chin up. It can and will get better eventually. __________________ Have you sharted lately? (Just wait.)

03-09-2010, 04:39 PM	#26
Jer's Girl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 283	Thanks Farm. I was feeling pretty sorry or myself this morning. This post really helped. You've got to look on the bright side, even when this disease is getting you down like it is for me right now.

03-09-2010, 11:49 PM	#27
ameslouise Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pottstown, PA Posts: 663	Thanks for reminding us that there is always a silver lining. - Amy

03-10-2010, 07:13 AM	#28
Mountaingem Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 450	Farm, I'm so glad you're getting some relief. You were the first person who really reached out to me and made me feel welcome on this forum, I wish nothing but the best for you and hope life starts treating you better really soon! __________________ Jeannette Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. -Mark Twain