Monday, March 21, 2011

Maybe I should start at the beginning.

Team Challenge had our weekly training conference call tonight. Because there isn't a CCFA Chapter or a team any where near me, I decided to join the national team. That means I have to be highly self motivated! Hmmmm... So far, so good.

Anyway back to Team Challenge. The woman assigned to be my mentor through this process does not have Crohn's or Ulcerative Colitis; her 9 year old daughter, however, was diagnosed with UC when she was 8 and has had 3 surgeries since her diagnosis. I can not imagine an 8 year old going through what I went through at 25. The thought of it brings tears to my eyes. It also brings back memories.

And so I venture to the beginning.  I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 11 years ago with a 2 year old and a baby at home. I lost at least 45 lbs and over 1/2 of the blood in my body in a six week period. I remember my sister telling me after my first colonoscopy that my doctor told her I was the sickest little girl he had ever seen. I was 25 years old. I was admitted to the hospital a week later, just enough time to realize that the prescriptions were not being digested. I didn't even call my parents to tell them I was being admitted; I thought I'd be in the hospital for a week, they would pump me with medicine through an IV and I'd be on my way home. Boy, was I wrong. Seven days with no improvement, so my doctor called in a surgical consult. I was in the hospital for a total of 21 days in April of 2000. My baby turned one while I was in the hospital. She took her first steps while I was in the hospital. I left the hospital after 21 days with no colon and an ostomy, but I was going to get better. One year later my doctor removed the ostomy and I haven't looked back since.

Now I want to be a part of the solution. I want to help raise awareness and raise the needed funds for research and patient programs. Please be a part of the solution too. Make a donation to CCFA by following this link http://www.active.com/donate/kona11national/konaRKingha
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6:11:00 PMby Rolobay
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1 comment:

  1. Bird SpotApril 13, 2011 at 8:55 PM

    Ok, Robin, now tears came to MY eyes. You can't imagine going through what Grace did at age 8, but I can't imagine it with two young children. You are amazing and although I'm not the one with IBD, I also have 2 kids 2 years apart and my heart went out to Grace's younger brother as much as it went out to her. Like you, when Grace was admitted (on our wedding anniversary, no less), I thought maybe she'd be in there a week or two. 49 days later (when I say, "Gee, that was 7 weeks!" G corrects me and says, "No, Mommy, 49 days) she was released the first time.

    I can't wait to meet you--soon via video--and in person!! I also want to talk FUNdraising with you!!

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