Barb's page
Well, where to start? I guess at the beginning would be good. I was born in 1946, August 1st to be exact. My kids always said that was the real 'stone age'. I grew up with immune problems in the form of allergies and began shots when I was 8 yrs. old. I quit them when I was 18 and was doing very well. During my third pregnancy, the allergies and asthma roared to life and continues today. The doc figured I was allergic to my own hormones.
Then in 1980, I began having occasional 'D', but paid no attention to it... figuring it was from some silly food allergy. By 1990, I couldn't complete a dinner without having to run to the bathroom and had a hard time leaving the house for long periods of time. Every bridal or baby shower would generate so much worry or stress that I would be interrupted, that inevitably I ended up in the bathroom, fulfilling the worry. I had dropped nearly 50 lbs and I am not a dieting type person (although I should be). My MD said it was time to go to see a GI And so it all began.
I think I went through every imaginable test known to man, EGD, colonoscopy, ultra sounds, ct scans, upper GI series, Barium swallows..... and it was all inconclusive. No answers and the GI wanted to repeat ALL the tests. I refused until I could talk to my MD. He recommended doing the colon again. So I did, and this time, glucagon was injected in my IV and the bowel was paralyzed, enabling the passage of the scope from the colon to the ileum. And there was the CD. I did OK for 4 years and then I had my first major flare. 2ft of bowel was partially obstructed, but I managed with steroids and antibiotics and avoided surgery. In 97 I had my resection and I lost the ileocaecal valve, then, along with part of the colon and part of the ileus.
Because of this wretched disease, so many other things have been affected. I have peripheral neuropathy in my legs and feet, arthritis in most joints to some degree, kidney stones with lithotripsy, gall bladder removal, osteopenia (CD + Prednisone), B12 deficiency, lichen sclerosis, hypokalemia, loss of many teeth, and poor eyesight. I think that about covers it. I don't take any CD meds right now and feel I have been in remission since the resection was done. I have to use potassium supplements, hormones, calcium and Questran (wonder powder for the bowels). I also suffer from depression and take celexa for that with excellent results. I don't know if the depression has been there for a while from the disease, but due to some difficulties it peaked this winter and went major.
On a personal note, I have been divorced since 1978 and raised 3 children alone. I am Gramma to my daughter 2 girls and my middle son has a child on the way. I have been a nurse since 1965 and work in a nursing home. I love working with the elderly and it gives me great satisfaction. I have been at my current job for 15 years.
I am so grateful for these boards. Even though I don't always post a lot, it doesn't mean I'm not keeping on top of things. I just am not able to go to the chats (early to bed, early to rise).
Thanks so much for all the info and support.
Sara and Barb with Calista and Reiana in front, on Flag Day.
Calista and Reiana
Reiana - and look out for Barb's posh car behind the post!
Barb's beautiful grandaughters