My subject today is fear. Next Wednesday I will be undergoing my first procedure since this whole mess exploded in my face last year and I'm terrified.
I have Crohn's disease and last year during a routine tubal ligation, the GYN perforated my small intestine - which is why I now have an ileostomy. I almost died from septic shock; it was a miracle my life was saved. The Crohn's diagnosis was made during that surgery, and apparently the disease is severe and advanced. Since I've never undergone any diagnostic scopes or been treated with any medications, my GI doctor wants to do an enteroscopy and ileoscopy to assess the degree of inflammation and possibly begin treatment with biologic agents.
I'm terrified of suffering another bowel perforation during these procedures. I know in my head she will be careful in light of my history, but I also know how horribly, horribly wrong a routine procedure can go because it's happened to me already. I have 3 small children at home who need their mother and I just can't put my friends and family OR myself through another prolonged hospitalization and recovery, assuming another perforation doesn't kill me.
My loved ones don't truly understand the depth of my fear. I have been told frequently there are risks with everything (yeah, DUH - worst thing to say to someone who knows that better than most people). It's just one of those days when I don't want to have Crohn's disease. I don't want any more needles or doctors or surgeries or procedures or scopes or drugs. I hate hate hate this; I hate that all of us here have to go through things like this or WORSE.
I hate being afraid.
I have Crohn's disease and last year during a routine tubal ligation, the GYN perforated my small intestine - which is why I now have an ileostomy. I almost died from septic shock; it was a miracle my life was saved. The Crohn's diagnosis was made during that surgery, and apparently the disease is severe and advanced. Since I've never undergone any diagnostic scopes or been treated with any medications, my GI doctor wants to do an enteroscopy and ileoscopy to assess the degree of inflammation and possibly begin treatment with biologic agents.
I'm terrified of suffering another bowel perforation during these procedures. I know in my head she will be careful in light of my history, but I also know how horribly, horribly wrong a routine procedure can go because it's happened to me already. I have 3 small children at home who need their mother and I just can't put my friends and family OR myself through another prolonged hospitalization and recovery, assuming another perforation doesn't kill me.
My loved ones don't truly understand the depth of my fear. I have been told frequently there are risks with everything (yeah, DUH - worst thing to say to someone who knows that better than most people). It's just one of those days when I don't want to have Crohn's disease. I don't want any more needles or doctors or surgeries or procedures or scopes or drugs. I hate hate hate this; I hate that all of us here have to go through things like this or WORSE.
I hate being afraid.