Monday, June 30, 2008 ~ Prednisone 35 mg

I went down to 35 mg today and had my best day ever.  Minimal pain and no accidents.  I actually took a step class at the Y, and although I was exhausted afterwards, it felt fabulous to get my heart rate up and move my body.  I went across the street to the lovely Chaco Canyon and had a green food protein shake.  It was really satisfying.  I will report to work tomorrow and see how it goes.

Gratitude Thank You, Thank you dear Bill and Mary for sharing the great article in NY Times magazine this week, The Worm Turns with its interesting theories on parasites, worms and their effects on our immune systems. I heard increased incidence of IBD became dramatic as an industrialized nation consumed more processed foods. If anyone has any info on that it would be nice to read. I know I feel much better when I don’t eat junky foods such as chips, pastries and stuff that has alot of processing.

Sunday, June 21, 2008 ~ BellyLuv0SoFine, Beautiful Body Please Work for Me

Ulcerative Colitis — that’s me.  You may be familiar with this disease, this whole tale might not be news,but instead just another twist on what you already know.  UC has ruled my life the last six weeks or so.  Prior to that is been a minor issue, lying quietly in the bowels of my body, in remission through daily drugs.  This particular flare up started Mother’s day (May 08).  First, I tried diet management and then doc began treatment with a low-dose Prednisone after several weeks but it late.  He added in antibiotics which helped significantly with subsiding symptoms and we started to taper off the preds and increase the therapy drug Azathioprine.  He did a flexible sigmoidoscopy on June 3.  Result, precancerous cells and polyps were removed and he urged surgery for removal of the colon.  In the meantime, the flare up took serious hold of body and being.  Racking me with pain, depression, anemia and dehydration.  I reported the ER for the second time in as many weeks only to be admitted to hospital.  I have been here five days.  Next steps include surgery for removal of the colon.  I am under terrific care at Virgina Mason Hospital in Seattle.  The plan is to release me tomorrow and go home and try to build up strength in every way to prepare for surgery.