Ulcerative Colitis

I was in the hospital recently.  I have been diagnosed with ulerative colitis.  This is inflammation(irriation and swelling) that occurs in the rectum and colon.  It is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  No one knows what causes IBD, but the symptoms can be treated. 

Here is the whole story if you have a weak stomach you may what to stop reading NOW!

Last Thursday, May 17 I had a little diarrhea in the morning, but was fine by lunch.  I thought I must have a little touch of some bug

Friday, May 18 I subbed at the preschool and had a good day.  I had an uneasy feeling in my tummy and one lose stool, but was ok.  That evening I began to feel worse.

Saturday, May 19 1am.  I had lots of diarrhea all through the early morning hours.  Josh and the boys go to visit Grandma and Papa Stoneham leaving me at home with a "bug."  By lunch time I was in pain and passing blood with the diarrhea.  Josh leaves the boys with his parents and comes home and takes me to a free standing ER.  I had called my doctor and the on call doctor told us to do just that.  At the ER I am given pain meds, a rectal exam (not has bad as I thought it would be, but not fun),bloodwork and a CT scan.  The CT scan showed extensive inflammatory wall thickening/edema of the colon from the cecum through the descending colon.  So, I was sent home with four prescriptions and a GI doctor to follow up with in a few weeks.

Sunday, May 20 2am.  I am in so much pain that Josh takes me back to the freestanding ER.  They give me pain meds and then transfer me to the hospital.  My first amblaunce ride.  At the hospital I am given IV fluids, antiobotics and pain meds.  More bloodwork is done, my urian and stool are tested.  I am diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and released on Tuesday, May 22 in the afternoon. 

This is the worst physical pain I have had.  The pain is gone now, but not the diarrhea.  I am weak, tired and have been in bed since coming home.  I just read that the diarrhea can last up to 8 days--almost there:)  Pray that God will heal me quickly.  I feel like I am missing out on so much with my family.  Jeffrey's last day of preschool was yesterday and I didn't get to take him:(  And today was support to be his first day of summer and he was going to get to choose what we did all day.  A jammie day, movie, park, whatever he wanted.  But it's ok we have all summer and thanks to amazing friends Jeffrey and Jackson have been taken care of and are having tons of fun with there friends.

So, I find myself today asking God "what is the lesson I am supports to be learning from this sickness?  And help me see is NOW so we can move on." 

What I have learned/been reminded of:

1. I have an awesome family and wonderful friends who care for me and my family.

2.  Josh (my hubby) is the BEST!   He has taken care of everything while still working and he has been much nicer to me than I would be if the rolls were reversed.

3.  It is hard beening a wife and mom.  I struggle daily with different areas of wife/motherhood.  I must remember what it is like to miss out on daily family life and enjoy all the moments we have together.

All I really want to do is play with the boys, cook dinner, and sit on the porch swing with Josh!