I'm Blogging!

It seems everyone is doing it these day, whether it's as a 'release', an outlet, for therapy, for exposure or just because. So here I am. I'm blogging! I have no idea how to add details in the 'About Me' tab or what these gadgets or widgets mean but I'm sure I will work it out along the way!


During a lazy lunch with some beautiful friends in which I was re-telling the details of my latest flare (more on that later), it was put to me that it might be time to 'sexy-up' Crohn's and start a blog! So here it is. I want this blog to be a place to tell my personal journey, a place for me to talk about me and my experience with Crohn's Disease and most importantly get the message out there that it is ok to talk about inflammatory bowel disease and not something that needs to be swept under the carpet.


I have Ileocolonic and perianal Crohnn's Disease. A chronic inflammatory bowel disease. It primarily causes abdominal pain, diarrhoea (which may be bloody if inflammation is at its worst), vomiting and weight loss. It may also cause complications outside the gastrointestinal tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, inflammation of the eye, tiredness, and lack of concentration.
This is a disease that cannot be made 'prety' with pink ribbon, breasts, bras or butterflies, but it is real and affects males and females at a rate of 5 in 100,000 people.  Occasionally it can affect more than one member of a family.  Both adults and children may have Crohn's disease, but there are peaks of incidence around 25 and 65 years of age.
 Talk to any mum of a child in nappies and they will be able to re-tell all the in's and outs of their little ones bowel movements from the moment they were born.  For some reason society can accept this kind of conversation but is completely repulsed by any sort of talk about their own bowel habits.  We are extremely embarrassed by something that is firstly out of our control and secondly done by every single person (including the Queen!) on this earth! I'm not saying that we all need to divulge these details to each other on a regular basis but to know that it is ok to discuss these issues with with supportive friends or family if you need to. Nobody should suffer in silence.


I have lived with Crohn's most of my life and will continue to post about my journey and current  prognosis.  My goal is to get awareness out there about the disease. Early detection means getting the treatment and support you need.


Until next time...


Jem xo