Staples are out!

[Heidi]

...and the verdict is in: Crohn's Disease.

Dr. removed about 7" of the left side of my descending colon. He found some other 'indicators' that pointed towards this disease, but nothing requiring surgical intervention at this time. Just the one large, ulcerated spot.

I'm not sure what that means for further treatment. I just did a quick read on C'sD and find the treatment options are basically the same as I was taking for UC. For which I had no positive results. Hopefully the surgery has removed the 'problem spot' and I won't have any other flares or will be able to get future flares under control before they get out-of-hand.

Still, I feel remarkably well. Belly is still tender, but abdominal muscles are getting stronger every day and I am able to eat more and more.
I stopped and visited Q today on the way home from the Dr's office. I fed her some of Hubby's french fries.
h

[CarolU]

Well that sounds like a better prognosis then UC. I'm glad you are feeling well enough to post and share with us.

Get well soon, so you and Q can join us on the trails soon.

[Blair]

Heidi,
I so glad that you are recovering well now and even got to see Q! You have been through a lot and at least now you can name the enemy you battle - it helps sometimes. Keep getting your rest and gaining your strength.
Blair

[SandyMM]

Well - that's good that you know what you're dealing with... beats the heck out of not knowing....

As for staples.... Hate'm! :(

Hope you continue to improve and feel better!!! :D

[lisa l aka marci]

So it sounds like they only took a small part of the colon - that is great news! Did they still have to do all the other stuff they talked about (j-pouch etc)?......

edited to correct myself!

Hope you continue to heal - getting to see the horses is a great pick-me-up!

[Heidi]

No, he did not have to do the j-pouch. As a matter of fact, because it is Crohn's, the surgeon will NOT perform a j-pouch surgery on me. From what I understand, UC affects only the colon and Crohn's can affect both small and large intestines. However, I know next to nothing about Crohn's and I'll have to do more research to learn more about it.
For now, I just want to get better.
h

[motorgypsy]

Get BETTER!:)

[moonrize]

Glad you are up and feeling better and got to see Q too! Hopefully you will be better able to manage the Chrones now that you know what it is.