Our Journey With Crohn's

What It's Like to Have Crohn's Disease

In 2014, our lives felt like a snow globe, where everything was so peaceful and still and someone came along and shook us all up. As the snow settled (or dust, as it felt like on some days!), we found ourselves somewhat in the same place but jostled around and not so sure which way was up. In March, my husband was suddenly diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.

What is Crohn's Disease?

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America define Crohn's this way:

Crohn’s disease belongs to a group of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. When reading about inflammatory bowel diseases, it is important to know that Crohn’s disease is not the same thing as ulcerative colitis, another type of IBD. The symptoms of these two illnesses are quite similar, but the areas affected in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) are different. Crohn’s most commonly affects the end of the small bowel (the ileum) and the beginning of the colon, but it may affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, also called the large intestine.

I'll write more here about that first hospital visit, but for now, you can read more about the second hospital stay that year and the days leading up to surgery, the news of a successful surgery, as well as some of the silver linings and funnies that came with anesthesia.

We're still learning to navigate life with Crohn's and have found ourselves back in the middle of MRI's and bloodwork, medication changes and doctor's visits. We covet your prayers as we try to get this disease under control.

As we learn how to cope with Crohn's Disease, we are reminded just how loved our family is. The outpouring of support for us during this time in our lives has been beautiful, sustaining, more than enough. We are grateful for the prayer warriors who take us to the throne of Almighty God each day. For you - thank you, and know that we love you. Our God is a mighty God, who numbers the hairs on our heads and names the stars above. We are trusting in His perfect name and clinging to His grace and mercy. We are so blessed and are learning so much.

Join us as we learn to live with Crohn's Disease and feel free to share with us along the way.