From Michele:
We all have different struggles in life. Some of us struggle with mental illness, others deal with physical illness, and some of us struggle with aspects of entrepreneurship. While all different, the feelings are the same. Helplessness, hopelessness, misunderstanding, the list goes on and on.
And that’s just it. What about sharing our stories and struggles in one spot. Being inspired, connecting with others so that they feel better supported, and educating each other about our struggles so that we feel better understood?
Well, that’s what we do on Not a Standard. We share your stories and struggles so that we can inspire, connect, and educate. And we hope that you are next to be featured.
But until that time, hear from Tina and her story of what it’s like being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Read about her complications, read about her struggles, and read about her strength. Be inspired.
My name is Tina and I was diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 14.5 years ago. Originally, I was told I had ulcerative colitis but that diagnosis changed 5 years later to Crohn’s Disease. Within 2 years of diagnosis, my disease became so virulent that I needed emergency surgery to remove my colon and most of my rectum. I had tried all the medications available at the time and many alternative therapies and finally gave in to surgery when I was told I was dying.
I’ve since had over 20 surgeries, 3 ostomies, hundreds of procedures and received many additional diagnoses. To name a few, I now have gastroparesis, dysautonomia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), arthritis, asthma, episcleritis, many autoimmune eye and skin manifestations, pelvic floor dysfunction, migraines, vertigo, etc.
I have also dealt with fistulae, which are considered a very severe form of Crohn’s, where one organ creates tunnels into other organs or breaks through the skin. Such intense disease has often robbed me of my spirit but I refuse to give up
I know for every up, there is a down, and for every down, there is an up, and I refuse to let an illness (or in my case, many) dictate and destroy my quality of life.
So, I believe in owning my Crohn’s and really, all my ailments to lead a more fulfilling life in spite of significant illness. And that’s the purpose of my blog: to empower the chronically ill and disabled to show them that we are more than enough just the way we are and that we don’t need to fit any particular standard to be beautiful. I hope you’ll join me in owning whatever conditions we may have and making the most of what life has to offer.
Connect With Her:
Instagram: instagram.com/ownyourcrohns