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Coming to terms with having a chronic illness is the first step in the process that includes becoming educated about the disease, and gaining empowerment to make choices in medication and surgical options and to help you to navigate the altered course of your life that this disease can force upon you. While I wouldn't wish this on my meanest sister, I welcome you to a wonderful community of people who understand you and support your journey. You are NOT alone.
Day 1 ~ Living: It's Not Your Fault Being told that you have something incurable or only curable with the surgical removal of the colon can feel like a slap in the face. So, for your first day, we are just going to deal with what you have right now: a diagnosis and a bit of shock. Just let that sink in. And as you are going through all of the accompanying feelings-perhaps a bit of denial and certainly a lot of wonder-just remember this next line: there is nothing you did to cause this nor did anyone else. Day 1 ~ Learning: What is IBD? Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a catchall phrase that encompasses a variety of conditions that are marked by inflammation and can occur anywhere from the lips to the anus. There are two main diseases that are commonly referred to as IBD: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis strikes the large intestine or colon, whereas Crohn's affects the entire GI tract. Day 2 Living: Grieving: Are You Sure? Learning: What the Tests Tell Us Day 3 Living: Acceptance and Hope Learning: The Workplace, the Law and IBD Day 4 Living: Finding Solace and Support Learning: How the Diseases Work Day 5 Living: Assembling Your Health Care Team Learning: The Intestinal Complications of IBD Day 6 Living: When to Call the Doctor Learning: The Ailments that Accompany IBD Day 7 Living: Coping with Pain Learning: Genetics and Other Causative Factors First-Week Milestone Week 2 Learning: The Role of Medication in the Treatment of IBD Living: Living with the Effects of Medication Week 3 Learning: Drugs that Help, Drugs that Hurt Living: Compliance Week 4 Learning: Vitamins, Herbs and Other Essential Nutrients Living: Seeking Alternative Therapy First-Month Milestone Month 2 Learning: The Role of Nutrition Living: What Can I Eat? What Should I Avoid? Month 3 Learning: Non-ostomy Surgical Options Living: Surviving Surgery and Other Hospital Stays Month4 Learning: The Ostomy Living: Coping with the Ostomy Month 5 Learning: Cancer and IBD Living: Surviving the Colonoscopy and Other Awful Tests Month 6 Learning: Sex and Fertility Living: Intimacy Issues Half-Year Milestone Month 7 Learning: Pregnancy, Childbirth and Lactation Living: Coping with Pregnancy, Childbirth and Recovery with IBD Month 8 Living: Living Daily Life Learning: Remission: Life Beyond Disease Month 9 Living: Travel and IBD Learning: Insurance and IBD Month 10 Living: Children and IBD Learning: Treatments for Children with IBD Month 11 Learning: Understanding Research Living: Participating in Research Month 12 Living: Moving On Learning: Finding a Cure Glossary For Further Reading Resources All information is copyrighted by Jill Sklar, 2002. All rights reserved. |