My Personal Crohn's Story:
The silent battle with Crohn's Disease
Diagnosed in March 2007, shortly after my 21st birthday in November 2006, I became very ill, not knowing that it could be something more than just a common cold or flu. After waiting a number of weeks and not getting better, I went to the urgent care facility near her home, only to find out that from waiting my hemoglobin, and blood levels were deathly low, thus causing me to be transported to the nearest trauma center and hospital to be admitted and further examined.
Since 2007, I have been hospitalized numerous times, have endured many treatments including but not limited to: Remecade Infusions via IV, 3 Blood Transfusions; 1 a year from 2007-2009, has taken many oral medications (4-8 different types of pills daily on average), and have to endure bi-weekly injections of the medication called Humira for the remainder of my lifetime.
Although I have learned that this Disease cannot be cured, it can be controlled by medications that do not always have the most pleasant side effects (i.e. Hair Loss, Rapid weight gain and loss, appetite issues, etc.). Although, I have this often terrifying disease, I continue to live my daily life and not suffer in silence by letting my inner light shine and raising awareness for this silent disease though pageant platforms, public speaking, and appearances.
Since 2007, I have been hospitalized numerous times, have endured many treatments including but not limited to: Remecade Infusions via IV, 3 Blood Transfusions; 1 a year from 2007-2009, has taken many oral medications (4-8 different types of pills daily on average), and have to endure bi-weekly injections of the medication called Humira for the remainder of my lifetime.
Although I have learned that this Disease cannot be cured, it can be controlled by medications that do not always have the most pleasant side effects (i.e. Hair Loss, Rapid weight gain and loss, appetite issues, etc.). Although, I have this often terrifying disease, I continue to live my daily life and not suffer in silence by letting my inner light shine and raising awareness for this silent disease though pageant platforms, public speaking, and appearances.
