Good to be back
Just a brief post to update everyone on what's been happening.
The main thing is that I just got home from spending nearly a week in the hospital due to a severe Crohn's flare up. I had mentioned before how I had been feeling sick and I wrote an earlier post about the various doctor's visits et al regarding all of that.
Saturday night I decided that the outpatient care I was getting wasn't cutting it. I actually voluntarily decided I wanted to go to the hospital. This is not something I decide on a whim. For one thing, I really am not fond of hospital stays. Previous experience had taught me it's not a lot of laughs (understandably given the nature of hospitals). But I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. There was something seriously wrong and I wanted to get it fixed.
Mom drove me to the ER and I got checked in. Did various tests of course and then I was finally admitted. Since it was close to midnight, we did get to be entertained by a random crazy guy who needed to be escorted off the premises by security. So that was kinda of fun.
I got sent up to my room which I shared with a nice older lady who was having what seemed like major back pains. Of course, by this time, I was pumped full of morphine, so I was feeling pretty good. I had a hard time sleeping that night because not only were the doors open and personnel kept coming in at various times of the night for vitals and blood work, but we also had a moaner on the floor. I dunno what her issue was, but it seemed she was in constant pain. She moaned almost the entire time I was there.
I kinda miss The Moaner...
I knew I was having a bad flare up, but I only hoped it wouldn't take long to get it under control. The goal on my board in front of my bed was "To be able to eat!" You would think that was a rather silly goal to have, but when one is in the throes of a Crohn's flare up, food is the least appetizing thing you can think of.
So naturally I tormented myself by watching the Food Network almost 24/7...
I was attached to an IV which was pumping me full of fluids. I can tell I was dehydrated because I didn't have to pee any of it out until several days later.
I think the cramping was the worst part of it. I did hole myself up in the bathroom a few times and sobbed like a baby. Hey, I think I was entitled for at least a few times. It was very cathartic. I have to consider myself lucky in that this is the only flare up I've had since I was diagnosed with this stupid thing 11 years ago.
My mom was able to talk to my supervisors at work and explain the situation as to why I was out for two weeks (maybe a wee bit longer). Thankfully they were pretty understanding about it and I won't get in deep for being out.
Now I am going to try to get my life back to semi-normal. I did receive a Remicade treatment while I was in the hospital. Hopefully it should take effect pretty soon. It depends on the severity of the inflammation and the reaction of the individual. I have another scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I was also sent home with an entire pharmacy of drugs, so that should help for a little while.
Oh, I also received the first book I ordered from you guys, dqbunny and secondlina! Very exciting!!
The main thing is that I just got home from spending nearly a week in the hospital due to a severe Crohn's flare up. I had mentioned before how I had been feeling sick and I wrote an earlier post about the various doctor's visits et al regarding all of that.
Saturday night I decided that the outpatient care I was getting wasn't cutting it. I actually voluntarily decided I wanted to go to the hospital. This is not something I decide on a whim. For one thing, I really am not fond of hospital stays. Previous experience had taught me it's not a lot of laughs (understandably given the nature of hospitals). But I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. There was something seriously wrong and I wanted to get it fixed.
Mom drove me to the ER and I got checked in. Did various tests of course and then I was finally admitted. Since it was close to midnight, we did get to be entertained by a random crazy guy who needed to be escorted off the premises by security. So that was kinda of fun.
I got sent up to my room which I shared with a nice older lady who was having what seemed like major back pains. Of course, by this time, I was pumped full of morphine, so I was feeling pretty good. I had a hard time sleeping that night because not only were the doors open and personnel kept coming in at various times of the night for vitals and blood work, but we also had a moaner on the floor. I dunno what her issue was, but it seemed she was in constant pain. She moaned almost the entire time I was there.
I kinda miss The Moaner...
I knew I was having a bad flare up, but I only hoped it wouldn't take long to get it under control. The goal on my board in front of my bed was "To be able to eat!" You would think that was a rather silly goal to have, but when one is in the throes of a Crohn's flare up, food is the least appetizing thing you can think of.
So naturally I tormented myself by watching the Food Network almost 24/7...
I was attached to an IV which was pumping me full of fluids. I can tell I was dehydrated because I didn't have to pee any of it out until several days later.
I think the cramping was the worst part of it. I did hole myself up in the bathroom a few times and sobbed like a baby. Hey, I think I was entitled for at least a few times. It was very cathartic. I have to consider myself lucky in that this is the only flare up I've had since I was diagnosed with this stupid thing 11 years ago.
My mom was able to talk to my supervisors at work and explain the situation as to why I was out for two weeks (maybe a wee bit longer). Thankfully they were pretty understanding about it and I won't get in deep for being out.
Now I am going to try to get my life back to semi-normal. I did receive a Remicade treatment while I was in the hospital. Hopefully it should take effect pretty soon. It depends on the severity of the inflammation and the reaction of the individual. I have another scheduled for a week from tomorrow. I was also sent home with an entire pharmacy of drugs, so that should help for a little while.
Oh, I also received the first book I ordered from you guys, dqbunny and secondlina! Very exciting!!