dirty honeymoon pics
The twists and turns of having a chronic illness in our family has led us in a direction unexpected and challenging. A member of our family was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) in their 20s. Without prior knowledge of the disease, only the physical discomfort and mental anguish, confusion and denial, a long journey but he was beginning relevant lasted 7 years of chronic illness, and now we all start a new life.
Early hopes of medical intervention proved ineffective, the drugs available were all unsuccessful. The reference has not been. As UC took control through the years, Mark became more isolated and sicker by the day, often unable to work. The disease was quickly ravaged and ends with the hope of a young couple living their lives like those of the 20's so often take for granted. UC affects a body part, the rectum and colon, areas of the body, not easily spoken, thus leading to new standards, such as isolation and withdrawal. Daily, feeling as if you have the flu, whenever they need a bath easily accessible, it begins to choke even the simplest of activities, thus, making the house needed a sanctuary or prison. As the normality of youth continues to be denied and you become a prisoner in his own body, shame and embarrassment increased. Then there is the sense of failure, the failure to treat to get healthy, failure trying to be "normal." As UC continues to gain control and master, new and often overwhelming decisions must be made. This meant that we could not cope with the disease and all options for healthy Mark had not except major surgery, the family was finally said and asked to become involved. This was a new round of shame and failure as a close family had to experience their own stages of grief and coping. Wine Questions day, "is that you feel better today." We knew that answer was no, but they were still unclear what is the disease really wanted say.
As knowledge of the disease increased in all, acceptance became reality and, finally, action replaces the silence and isolation. The anxiety and worry became an intense fact finding mission. Doctors and hospitals were investigated and understood, and election was held. The opening lines of communication, the release of shame and impotence, with the participation of family and friends as they incorporate a spiritual framework, everything became a crucial lifeline for healing.
Getting to others in similar situations in the conversation, advice and support enabled increase trust (our favorite support group is rel = "nofollow" href = "http://www.jpouch.org"> http://www.jpouch.org.) none is out of bounds, all that was on the table, pictures, graphics good and the bad dialogue, chat online at once brutally honest and relevant. The question emotional at hand, and physics was about to follow with some optimism, but the results still unknown.
From What began as a small dark and dirty secret became something more meaningful, such as family and friends listened and learned, was developing a closeness, a welcome by all. This disease affecting many years, is rapidly becoming the catalyst to renewed importance to many relationships. With so many on the same page, and surgery inevitably take place, the force required for the new challenges it was pretty obvious.
This otherwise healthy young man went to the surgery to remove the entire colon and ulcerative colitis always omnipresent, knowing that when he awoke, it would be anatomically different and have to adjust and care for a stoma site soon to be covered by an ostomy bag. Accepting this as a possible permanent solution to the problem, healing on many levels, began to take place. With a wonderful doctor and his staff, exceptional surgery, and the tremendous support of investments, things went as well as expected. With continued communication, exchange the two tables and dialogue with those who still faces surgery and beyond, made the transition less scary and less lonely. Photos of Mark surgery have become a way to communicate his story to family, friends, colleagues and others in similar situations now, the only way to cope is to educate and eliminate fear and shame of this process.
During the first surgery, plus the removal of the colon, bowel reconstruction is done in order creating a sac called AJ bag, hoping to allow the body to function normally. After a healing period, the second operation was performed with successful, active bag and stoma site left to heal and close by itself. A disease that once paralyzed, physically and emotionally AVAILABLE great opportunities for growth and wisdom, old and new relationships to flourish with a purpose and recognition, and the extreme situations in which participation of oneself by sharing and caring and always available for sharing and helping others, therefore, writing this article.
For those just embarking on their personal journey with severe irritable bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, educate yourself, involve others, find strength in both relations new and old and promote healing for himself and for others. The innumerable gifts that have come to communicate and share, we may retrieve an identity separate from the disease, while supporting and embracing this life I still want to live while facing a chronic illness.
Megan Lee, Ph.D. Candidate
http://ucstory.wordpress.com
