Finding Hope and Strength Through My Health Journey

Good morning, folks. :D

I suppose since I'm in here this morning, I'll post my first blog and say hello to you all. I'm really glad this place is here. I'm very glad to be here, too. Let me tell you my story...

I have been sick since I was 2 days old. Literally. My parents did all they could to figure out what was going on. Being the firstborn, my mom did everything the doctors had told her to do. It still wasn't enough. They still didn't have any answers. I went to school and did really well and hardly missed any time at all... then puberty hit. I just kind of started going downhill from there. I still kept my grades up, but started missing a day here or there. It wasn't really THAT bad. The cramps, however, were. Since we didn't know what I had at the time, we were at a loss and so more tests were done still. Okay, so that was 7th grade. In fact, it was a pretty good year and I don't remember too much except for the cramps and the migraines that seemed to have come out of nowhere. After 7th grade and into 8th... that summer before 8th... I'll never forget it.

It was so bad. I was so blocked, we didn't even know. My pediatrician asked if I was pregnant. I was a virgin and laughed at the thought. He could thump my stomach and it sounded like a watermelon. That summer had me so sick, so so so sick. I didn't even have enough energy to lift a finger. Literally. I had nurses come and give me enemas, etc. It was horrible. I had just about given up hope. When I went back to school that year, I had lost 30 pounds. Everyone wanted to know my secret... if they only knew.

Now, we come to high school. I can't tell you how many times I used to relive these days in my dreams and things. This time was so bad for me, folks. It was horrible. I missed so many days, the truancy officer actually came out to check on me. Accidents all the time, and some of my family members were thinking it was all in my head. I had actually had a failing class for the first time in my life and in the end had to go for half a semester to make up for a half point in order to graduate. I passed out, vomited, and many other things in front of people because I was so sick and people looked at me as if I was a hypochondriac. Ugh... it was a mess. Then, I had my first female exam at the age of 18...

So, now we're at 1996... He can't examine me due to the blockage and he's the one who first mentioned Hirschsprung's Disease (Megacolon). Actually, come to think of it, I do remember my pediatrician saying something similar to that long ago, but just once. I still have the little picture he drew for me to explain. The fact that we finally had an answer of some kind made me cry like a baby. I was emotional anyway due to all that was going on, so this was just the final straw. Finally... an answer.

So, after I finished school, by then we had had a plan. In November 1997, after lots of cleanouts and little surgeries too to perform some of those cleanouts, I went into surgery and came out with my first ostomy. I felt so great for the first time in my 19/20 years that I could finally eat whatever I wanted, too! That was something else that I had to deal with growing up, it was weird lol. So, yep, it was interesting and I learned a lot.

Since 1997, I have had 12/13 major surgeries, not counting the little ones in between here and there. Lots of tests, etc. Even a breast reduction, too lol. I'm now losing the weight I've gained from being nonproductive as it were... 60 pounds gone since December of 2007. I have a lot to do still and there's more surgery in my future. There are other things that have been going on, but I won't go into it here. Those are side stories. Anyway, now all I have is some small intestine and my ileostomy to keep me alive. They did try to put me back together in 1998, and I even told that surgeon I didn't want it because I knew what would happen. He didn't believe me or listen, and went ahead anyway. In 1999, while I was in college still, I had internal bleeding that I didn't know about and almost died. Thankfully, the surgeon I have now that I love to bits, saved my life so long ago. I've had at least one more close call, but she's awesome. God has me here for a reason and I am so grateful that I am here. I'm glad that I can help others around me learn from what I experienced. I'm so glad and thankful.

Anyway, that's pretty much my story... as far as my youth is concerned, I do remember getting sick right off the bat for what seemed to be no reason and my friends told me they do remember, too... so I know it wasn't in my head all along. :P I hope that anyone who reads this doesn't get scared. I'm not here to do that. There are other things I have to deal with now every day due to all the surgery and things. But... that's okay. I'm here and that's what matters...

hi jenepooh,
This was your first blog and this is the first blog I have read. I thought it was karma. I just wanted to say how impressed I am with your positive attitude after so many years of illness, and young years at that. I have suffered for 8 years and sometimes despair at my own journey. If I feel bad or worse, treated badly by doctors or the system, I just need to read other people's comments and stories to realize I am not unique. Furthermore, how many people have far worse stories and far better attitudes. Best of luck to you in all your undertakings.

Well lass, we could compare stories, but I can't type, 2-finger thing. After my fourth operation, I was out for ten days with that thing they shove down your throat. My doctor came in with his interns and said, "Here's our six million dollar man." Six months later, I got really sick and, of course, cut, cut, cut. Now, I'm trying to avoid a third spinal surgery, but I'm president of the Procrastinators Club, so I have a hand up on them. I won't bore you with some of the other surgeries and procedures I went through. You keep a positive attitude, and shit will happen every time, LOL. Just had to throw that in there. Keep a sense of humor; I think it's one of the most important things you can do.

You go, girl... You are so brave, I'm glad they found out what was the matter... Must have been terrible for you. Continue to have your attitude; it is great! Feeling good.