It's been a long road to understanding

---

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when I was 9 years old. I had a terrible summer that year. I had uncontrollable diarrhea, extreme fatigue, and lost a lot of weight. After some time and extensive testing, I was finally diagnosed with CD. As little was known about the disease back then, I was put on a heavy course of Prednisone, Azulfadine, and Imuran. It's a period of my life I'd like to forget.

I just got by with the disease throughout my childhood, with frequent hospital stays, abcesses, and TPN. It came to a head after graduating from college. I became very ill and ended up having an emergency small bowel resection in which I lost my ileum. That was a turning point in my life. 

I dedicated myself to actively taking on this disease, rather than being a passive passenger. I am now in the best shape of my life and maintain the disease by exercising regularly and eating a clean diet. I currently do not take any prescriptions, although my GI doctor wants to discuss biologics after my routine colonoscopy this fall. I am open to the discussion. 

In short, I have Crohn's, Crohn's doesn't have me.