Cleaning off the memory card from my camera, I came across a bunch of pictures that hadn't been put on the site yet. Some of them are older than pictures I've put up recently, so here are direct links to their albums:
Moxey's First Camping Trip – May 06
Vernon & Jennie's Wedding – July 06
By now you've probably heard that my doctors think I probably have Crohn's Disease. We've done just about all of the tests we can do, and I have or have had a lot of the key indicators/symptoms, but it's one of those diseases that flares up for a bit, then goes back into remission… planning it's next devious strike against my immune system. The short version of "What is Crohn's?" is something like this: It affects my immune system.
Small things are sometimes way over-reacted to. For example, I probably didn't have appendicitis at all; it was just irritated by the Crohn's. It's possible that further irritation could have induced appendicitis, but it hadn't developed at the point where I had it removed. It also is related to problems with arthritis & joint pain, which I experience from time to time in my right hip. It can also cause Iritis, which I just went through a few short months ago. It increases my chances of developing lymphoma, too.
As far as treatment goes, I was given four options: 2 different pills, 1 regular I.V. treatment, or nothing. The first pill is an immunosuppressant, and does just what it sounds like – help keep my immune system from over-reacting. It would be a daily pill and among it's more ear-catching side effects, it increases chances of developing lymphoma. The second pill is sort of a Pepto-Bismol for your intestines, and would be taken upwards of 3 to 4 times a day. Not only that, but it's only been effective in about 10% of patients. Oh, and it also increases your chances of developing lymphoma. The I.V. treatment would be a 2 hour process every 8 weeks, and has had pretty good results. Its problems are that if you start the treatment, stop it, and then start it again, your chances of having an allergic reaction are much higher – so they typically only recommend it for more serious cases or people who are older or more interested in staying on the treatment permanently. It also increases your chances of developing lymphoma.
Now, take what I say with a grain of salt, because I'm no doctor… so what you're getting here is the mental crib sheet that I made in my meeting with the doctor. If it sounds to you like my choices are to do nothing or to skyrocket my chances of developing cancer, well, that's because what it sounded like to me!
Considering the side effects, and the fact that my symptoms aren't too bad currently (Iritis is gone, hip pain hasn't been too bad and is less frequent), we decided to do nothing unless I have a bad flare up, and check progress in another 4-6 months.
According to my doctor, there are no dietary changes I can make that will make things any better for me; but my mom sent me a book about diets that Crohn's and Colitis patients have followed that made things easier for them. I'm going to at least read through that and probably give it a shot. It can't hurt.
Moxie showing off his stylish new pants! These, and photos of us painting our house, were just uploaded to the
Photo Gallery. Enjoy!
