- By January I got hit with the flu which dragged on and rolled into a flare-up with bowel obstructions which led to me having major surgery removing what was left of my colon.
- I spent 4 weeks recovering and right as I was about to go back to work I ended up back in the hospital with an abscess.
- The entire month of April was spent in the hospital.
- I suffered my first ever panic attack. I never want to go through that again.
- I was finally discharged (without being readmitted the next day) on May 7 (my mom’s birthday).
- The only thing I was allowed to eat for three months was broth and Jello.
- I spent six months out of work on medical leave.
- We bought a house!
- We got married!
- We did manage to travel before and after Crohn’s got the better of me: Cruise to the Caribbean, Weekend in Cancun, and Honeymooned in Disney World. We were planning to go to Europe but with everything that happened this year we decided it was best to try again later (maybe next year!).
2020 will officially be my 20th year of living with Crohn’s Disease (wow). I hope to celebrate this milestone by not spending one night in the hospital and eating solid food every day next year. Cheers to 2020!
First, congratulations on your marriage. I wish you a lifetime of happiness. Second, I admire your strength and willingness to persevere regardless of adversity. You take after your mom, for sure. Blessings!