Wishing everyone A Merry Christmas!

 It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the year passes and it's Christmas time again. Everyone is in high spirits (or trying to be) during this time of shopping, wrapping, baking and celebrating. But there are many that are not well enough to get out to shop or celebrate or are financially strapped due to exorbitant medical bills, it's a tough time of year. You feel alone and out of the spirit. It takes much energy to "get it all done" whether you are a "normal" or "medically challenged". I personally have been taking more naps and saying no to invites or at least trying to. But it's hard when you don't want to hurt others feelings. 

For me the magic is just starting, the presents are bought & wrapped and cookies baked (I actually relinquished this task to my boys, messy kitchen and all! See I am trying!) Tomorrow will be a day for just the 5 of us but will be squished between days of family celebrations. In one way or another, we will get to see our entire immediate families (athough due to travel schedules, not all at the same time!) I will try and stay away from all the sweets I am not supposed to eat and follow my SBS diet but I know I will cheat a bit. Naps will be scheduled so I can be at my best and most chipper. They boys have asked to attend midnight Mass tonight, which I agreed if we could stay in bed until 9! Not sure if that will happen but I hope so (although they are teenagers and seem to sleep all morning but for some reason they wake early on Christmas!)

To all my friends I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas, Maligayang Pasko, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad, Happy Kwanza, Happy Boxing Day, and Happy Holidays. To those of you who do not celebrate those religious holidays or none at all I wish you peace and health this Holiday Season so that all may continue to Live, Love and Laugh into the New Year.

Michelle

You look great...

This is something an IBD'er hears a lot! You look great on the outside but feel absolutely horrible on the inside. Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis are 'invisible" diseases, you can't tell that someone has them by just looking at them. Many of us have figured out how to deal with the pain and cramping, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue,  bathroom urgency, medication side effects among other things to hide that we are feeling well. Over the past 30 years, I have learned how to hide or pass off all of the symptoms listed above, not only from friends and co-workers but also from my husband, Mike. I allowed myself to hide what was going wrong because I didn't want or have time to be "sick". I just dealt with it. I was also diagnosed when there was not much information on Crohn's available or at your finger tips like there is today. So I learned how to suffer alone.

Thankfully, this is IBD Awareness week to raise awareness for those suffering with Crohn's & Colitis. People like me don't have to suffer alone anymore. CCFA.org has many resources for newly diagnosed patients as well as those who are still struggling with their illness. Facebook has many(closed) groups for those with IBD that you can join and share your pain with those that understand what you are experiencing. The closed pages allow you to share the pain and often embarrassing symptoms without grossing out or overly worrying those you love. I have found much support from both reading and contributing in these groups. Reading about others experiences allows me to learn how better I can manage my disease and also encourage others to live their life. Thegreatbowelmovement.org is a social organization group that raises awareness for IBD along with encouraging patients to embrace their disease, spread awareness and to be proud of their experience.

You shouldn't have to hide behind closed door anymore if you suffer from IBD. So wear purple, post a #IBDselfie and share your story. Go out in the world to Live, Love and Laugh even though you are hurting..someone understands what you are going through!

Giving Thanks and Making a Wish...or two

Happy Belated Thanksgiving..I have much to be thankful for especially my husband, sons, parents, siblings, in-laws, wonderful friends and extended family. Most especially I have my life to be thankful for, I get to enjoy spending time with all those mentioned above. I also get to wake up each day to spend time in the beautiful world we live in (even on ugly, rainy days like today!). Sometimes it's hard to be thankful when you are going through rough patches with your health or relationships. 

Yesterday I caught a TV clip about how the Make a Wish foundation got it's start. It was a very touching piece about a young cancer patient who wanted to grow up to be a police officer and his mother worked out a deal with the local police force to make him an officer for a day. She even tailored an official uniform to fit him. It was one of the best days of his life but sadly he passed 2 days later. This act of kindness has grown into an amazing organization that have granted wishes & dreams for thousands of health-compromised children. 

It was a very touching piece that got me thinking about what I wish for...I wish that for a healthy long life for me and my family, that illness, disease, or accidents  do not affect those I love, a world without riots, war or discrimination, that my children grow up healthy and happy and follow their hearts to find love and happiness, that I can live each day to it's fullest, and that I can connect with others with similar health conditions to not feel alone and adjust to their new "normal".  

I am realistic enough to know that some of my wishes won't come true but I can try to make my life and the lives around me better by just being here to pass on a positive outlook and welcoming smile to those that need it. Every life is worth living...is someway we help each other to Live, Love & Laugh another day.  

(FYI you can find more Wish organizations for children and adults at http://www.thriverx.net/resources/resources.htm )