This is yet another GI update. I finally have an answer for all my GI troubles the past few months. It’s not the answer I wanted, but it’s an answer. Which means I’m closer to getting better.

All my stomach problems started in Sept. 2016.

It took me until December to find the right docs and the right tests. I had a colonoscopy done and they believed it was a viral infection and that’s what I was treated for. Eventually, I was feeling better for the most part.

Around the beginning for Feb. my stomach cramping came back back. I was having major GI discomfort, along with other issues. I reached out to my GI doc and he agreed we needed to schedule another colonoscopy.

By the next week, I was not only having GI issues, but I was having a lot vision trouble. My eyes were extremely bloodshot (see below), sensitive to light and it really hurt to focus on things up close. I did some googling (which is like the worst thing you can do) and learned Crohn’s Disease can cause eye issues.

I suffered through it, wore my glasses at work, tried not to focus on anything up close and avoided bright light when I could. Tuesday or last week, it was unbearable. I worked from home and hid in the dark all day. By Wednesday, I knew something wasn’t right.

I emailed my GI doc and told him what was going on. I mentioned I had no idea if it could be related to my GI stuff, but I wanted to make him aware of it. On Thursday, I had my colonoscopy. My doc was shocked by my eyes. He didn’t realize it was both eyes, or how bad it was. This is when he told me that he was pretty sure this was Crohn’s we were dealing with.

Post colonoscopy, Crohn’s was confirmed. I’m not going to lie, I was really upset and felt extremely defeated. I’ve been dealt enough difficult cards in life and sometimes feel like I can’t handle anymore.

Luckily, I have a pretty awesome boyfriend, who came to my side when I was at my lowest. He let me cry, be angry and frustrated, but constantly reminds me that I’m strong and can deal with this. I’m also thankful for my family, who sent me get well flowers and are always there to answer my calls. My brothers an ER doc, and I’m so thankful he’s always more than willing to answer questions for me and tell me to stop googling my symptoms.

Crohn’s was not the answer I wanted.

Simple. I wanted something easy, curable. I already deal with all my heart stuff  (which, truth be told, is not hard. I’m healthy and have done very well, and I’m beyond thankful for that), so it felt like adding fuel to the flame.

I can cry and be upset, but that won’t change anything. I’ll  play with the cards I’m dealt and do it with a smile on my face. Some days will be hard and I’ll have my “why me’ days, but I am alive. I am healthy. I’m happy. I have so much going for me, so why let this take me down? I won’t. Not without a fight.

I am thankful it’s a mild case as of right now, I’ve been started on a high dose of prednisone (devil drug, btw) which I’ve taken before for transplant. Soon, I’ll start another drug to help put Crohn’s into remission. My eyes have cleared up (hallelujah) and I’m staying positive. I plan to continue with my strict paleo lifestyle to see if that helps. It’ll be a learning process to find out what foods can trigger flare ups and what not.

Obviously, I’m very new to all this, so if you have Crohn’s, please feel free to share any important information with me! As always, thanks for listening and supporting me y’all.