Support Presli's Battle with Severe Crohn's

Hello, my name is Presli and I am a 28 year old single mother of two beautiful children. 2 years ago I suddenly became very sick, being hit with a load of different symptoms and drastically losing weight (despite actively working out at that time) and this completely changed my life. For one entire year I was going to just about any doctor that would see me, to just be turned away because I was “too young” and it was most likely “anxiety”

I ended up with a Hematologist due to some blood abnormalities and underwent a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. I was told there was a possibility of blood cancer and the only thing they could rule out was that it was not Acute and that “I would not die in a couple of months” but that Chronic was still a possibility and it would need to be watched because sometimes it takes a little longer for more signs to be seen in the blood with chronic ones.

I still had many other symptoms not related to that particular situation so I went about my way through every other specialist. One specialist performed a nerve and muscle conduction study on me. Then this is when a Gastroenterologist wanted to do a colonoscopy/endoscopy and where a lot of things were seen. They had me then do a pill capsule endoscopy along with blood work to check specific markers and antigens that are related to Crohn’s Disease. I was then diagnosed with Severe Crohn’s of the small and large intestine, and many of other areas being affected including the stomach and duodenum. Unfortunately by the time of diagnosis my inflammation levels were so high and had already reached my eyes, creating Scleritis, Arthritis in every joint, blood circulation problems causing a blood vessel disorder. As well as chronic blood loss anemia and iron deficiency anemia. They immediately started me on Remicade Biologic treatments, iron infusions, daily oral medications, steroids, and steroid suppositories. I have been hospitalized multiple times and in the emergency room quite frequently. I have scans done frequently as well due to the possible risks that Crohn’s can cause. I have yet to receive any type of pain relief throughout this entire time, I am so exhausted and weak everyday, hardly functioning at this point. I have applied for disability and waiting on my response. My doctors have told me I’m the worst they have ever seen for someone my age and have informed me it would not be smart for me to work. I will also be having specific labs done this month to check back on the blood abnormalities and finally will know if this will be a new part of the health and treatment or if I can finally move on from that scary possibility/thought. My family has helped a lot financially but that obviously only goes so far and it’s draining absolutely everyone. This is the absolute hardest thing I have ever had to face while trying to remain strong for my children. If you are unable to help financially I very much understand and just ask for your prayers through this time. Thank you so much for reading my story and all of the support