Jackie's laparoscopic Surgery

Hi everyone, thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. I have not told many people what I've been going through, but decided in my time of need to share with others in hopes of getting better.

I have been battling an ongoing case of severe Crohn's and Colitis for the past 7 years. There is no cure.

Crohn's is a chronic immune disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract. The immune system thinks it is being attacked so it attacks back by causing inflammation in the intestines and other areas of the body.

Colitis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon causing rectal bleeding, diarrhea, weight loss, malnutrition, rectal polyps, abdominal pain, and abdominal spasms.

When I was first diagnosed, I was told I needed my entire colon removed after a colonoscopy, endoscopy and several other tests. At that very moment, it was difficult for me to process what I was being told. I could not comprehend how to resume the rest of my life having to wear a colectomy bag and wanted to explore alternative options before jumping to surgery. I immediately inquired about other medical options and wanted a second opinion from another doctor.

At that time, I started taking all sorts of mesalamines medications, several rounds of prednisone, lialda, cipro, flagyl, pentasa, hydrocortisone rectal enemas, even taking injectable biological immune suppression shots (Humira) at home every week to help my condition. After no response or risky side effects to any of those previous medications, the last thing to try that my doctor had recommended was Remicade. I was terrified of the side effects of this medication, but was desperate to be pain free. I was receiving these biological infusions every three weeks and could hardly afford them. After months went by and several tests later to check my inflammation levels, another colonoscopy, x rays, ct scans, blood tests, things were just looking worse and the disease was only attacking other parts of my body.

I have been without private health insurance for over 3 years and I do not qualify for any state-assisted insurance or Medicaid. I do not have adequate income to qualify through the market place for affordable insurance, nor can I afford the very pricey premiums of insurance that barely cover any the treatments I would need. I have went without any proper medication or doctor assistance since then, trying to self-medicate through holistic methods (which only temporarily relieves some pain.)

I have not been able work a public full time job due to the impact this disease has on my life. I also am not able to use the bathroom like a normal person in years and am too embarrassed to even share what I have to go through to get my stools out because my colon is so inflamed and ulcerated it is not able to work properly. 

I’m always in a constant whirlwind of feeling like my insides are just shredding up inside of me and that I'm about to die. The pain is so severe it’s the most difficult thing to describe.

My disease has taken away all the joy in my life and I've become a terribly depressed and anxious person. I'm constantly worried about leaving the house or being around people because I’m not sure when I’m going to have another attack. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to stop and hunch over to hold myself and cry. The pain is truly unbearable.

After years of constant battle, this past year I've lost my period since June and rapid weight loss, now at only 78 pounds, due to my body being depleted of any nutrients I ingest and completely fighting against me.

I knew I needed to reach back out for help no matter what it took. My body felt like it was screaming inside. I had been referred to a GI specialist here in Nashville. After feeling like a crazy woman explaining to her my long story and difficulties she immediately was concerned and scheduled me a stat colonoscopy which then brought me to this.

I have a very high grade stricture of my ascending right colon. A stricture is a narrowing of a section of the intestine that causes problems by slowing or blocking the movement of food and stool through the area. Strictures, which are caused by recurrent inflammation, can lead to hospitalization and also require surgery to correct them. The symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, and bloating. Strictures can progress to the point of causing a complete intestinal obstruction, which may result in nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, and severe abdominal pain... Finally, everything makes sense and I'm not crazy.

This brings me to this: I have been given one option, which is an invasive, major surgery that involves a bowel re-section for the strictured colon with reconnection called ‘laparoscopic through incisions.” This will remove the heavily diseased part of my ascending colon that I’ve been battling with the last couple of years. The surgery is not a cure. There are risks, complications and still a high chance that I will be left in pain and that the disease will spread elsewhere. BUT, I have hope and my surgeon believes most of my symptoms will subside and my body will finally respond to medical therapies to treat my chronic illness through the other parts of my body that are diseased. This is my best chance at a pain free future (I'm hoping.)  

I am very embarrassed that it has come to this point and hate asking for help, however I am at the point where I see no other alternative to life with this severe daily pain that I have gone through the past years. It just isn't living.

These funds will contribute to help paying for the procedure costs, prescriptions and medicines post-procedure, as well as living costs to compensate for the weeks/months that I will be recovering and unable to continue daily work.

Please do not feel obligated to donate, but if you do please know that even a small amount would make a big difference!

Thank you so much for just listening and reading my story.

Much love and best of health to you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love,

Jackie