Please Help-Illness Causing Financial Strife!
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My journey with Crohn's Disease began 12 years ago at age 26. I was diagnosed finally after months of pain and diarrhea and losing weight...when I was given the diagnosis suddenly my entire life of "never feeling well" made sense. The first 6 years after the diagnosis were very difficult, continuing to be very sick, in and out of doctor's offices, ERs, hospitalized at least twice a year. It took a long time to find medications that worked for me. I was told my Crohn's Disease was severe, and only biologic agents would help lessen symptoms.
I went through two pregnancies where symptoms only worsened. By my 2nd pregnancy, my Crohn's had worsened enough to cause perianal skin disease, forcing the option of a primary cesarean section for delivery, and then 4 months postpartum, I needed another surgery to divert into an ileostomy bag so my perianal area could heal. After the ileostomy, my Crohn's symptoms lessened, and eventually went away entirely! For the past 5.5 years, I've hardly felt as if I even have Crohn's Disease.
Up until about 2 months ago. Suddenly, I began having rectal diarrhea, though I still have the diversion through an ileostomy. Along with the diarrhea came increasing frequency and urgency, cramping and eventually rectal pain. I have been nauseated off and on daily. Abdominal pain started about 3 weeks ago. I have been seeing my GI doctor as outpatient, but not getting very far very fast.
We still do not even know if this is a Crohn's flareup...he theorizes that I've developed colitis as a result of being diverted for so long, and that the colon isn't getting the nutrients it needs. He talks of reversing the ileostomy. If this is what is needed for me to feel better, I will do it, but I'm very scared. Scared that I will return to being extremely sick all of the time!
Right now, I am in a lot of pain, every day. I am still 3.5 weeks away from having an EGD and Colonoscopy and getting any answers. I've decided to go back to the ER today and hopefully get admitted so I can get a scope and answers sooner! I hate resorting to that but I feel I have no other choice. I can't continue to wait when I'm in so much pain. I can't function.
Needless to say, returning to the hospital will put me out of work. I may even need to go on disability at a percentage of my regular pay. The medical bills are stacking up. I may not be able to make my rent for December. I feel as if I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. But I can't stand the pain any longer. I can definitely use some support. And I'm reaching out for some financial relief.
I don't know what else to do. If you are able, please help! If you are not able, please pray! And please share with others. I need answers and I need them now! I need the pain to subside. And I'm relying on my faith in God to provide the strength, courage, and perseverance to help me through whatever may lie ahead. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I went through two pregnancies where symptoms only worsened. By my 2nd pregnancy, my Crohn's had worsened enough to cause perianal skin disease, forcing the option of a primary cesarean section for delivery, and then 4 months postpartum, I needed another surgery to divert into an ileostomy bag so my perianal area could heal. After the ileostomy, my Crohn's symptoms lessened, and eventually went away entirely! For the past 5.5 years, I've hardly felt as if I even have Crohn's Disease.
Up until about 2 months ago. Suddenly, I began having rectal diarrhea, though I still have the diversion through an ileostomy. Along with the diarrhea came increasing frequency and urgency, cramping and eventually rectal pain. I have been nauseated off and on daily. Abdominal pain started about 3 weeks ago. I have been seeing my GI doctor as outpatient, but not getting very far very fast.
We still do not even know if this is a Crohn's flareup...he theorizes that I've developed colitis as a result of being diverted for so long, and that the colon isn't getting the nutrients it needs. He talks of reversing the ileostomy. If this is what is needed for me to feel better, I will do it, but I'm very scared. Scared that I will return to being extremely sick all of the time!
Right now, I am in a lot of pain, every day. I am still 3.5 weeks away from having an EGD and Colonoscopy and getting any answers. I've decided to go back to the ER today and hopefully get admitted so I can get a scope and answers sooner! I hate resorting to that but I feel I have no other choice. I can't continue to wait when I'm in so much pain. I can't function.
Needless to say, returning to the hospital will put me out of work. I may even need to go on disability at a percentage of my regular pay. The medical bills are stacking up. I may not be able to make my rent for December. I feel as if I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. But I can't stand the pain any longer. I can definitely use some support. And I'm reaching out for some financial relief.
I don't know what else to do. If you are able, please help! If you are not able, please pray! And please share with others. I need answers and I need them now! I need the pain to subside. And I'm relying on my faith in God to provide the strength, courage, and perseverance to help me through whatever may lie ahead. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Organizer
Lisa Penvose Lloyd
Organizer
Summerville, SC
