I have not been honest with you my readers and most importantly with
myself. At the age of 12 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I will never
forget our annual family vacation in Walt Disney World right before my twelfth
birthday. My family and I flew to Orlando for a week of fun, celebrating New
Years and my birthday, and way too many sweets. But this trip to Disney World
was not too much fun for me. To this day I could still tell you where every
bathroom in Walt Disney World is, even the secret ones! Though I was tired all
the time and everything, I mean everything went right through me, we still
managed to have a great vacation. My parents simply assumed based on my
symptoms that I simply had the stomach flu; unbeknownst to them it was way more
serious.
The next few months were rough as we still did not have an explanation
for my symptoms. I even remember throwing up at Old Orchard mall, which is an
outdoor mall, in pure winter white snow right in front of Cheesecake Factory. You
have to understand that this was a 2-story Cheesecake Factory where the guests
ate on the second floor with floor to ceiling glass windows. Mind you when I
throw up, I like to throw up on all fours, for some reason it makes my stomach
feel better. Needless to say that everyone had a front row seat for a sight
that they truly did not need to see. My father was ready to cancel our annual Super
Bowl Sunday party at our house as they did not know if what I had was
contagious. My parents told me that if I did not have any symptoms for three
days we could have the party. I kept it together and like clock work as our
company was leaving my house; I started throwing up uncontrollably in the
kitchen.
It was a very difficult winter and by April of that year, I had lost a
lot of weight and they still did not know specifically what was wrong. By this
point, I was not only having diarrhea, but I was having bloody diarrhea. At
first I was too embarrassed and confused to go to my mother and explain what
was now happening. Even I knew that this was serious. During this time I
watched the movie, A Child’s Wish with Anna Chlumsky, which is about a young
girl who is shown throwing up blood, being diagnosed with cancer, and is dead
by the end of the movie. After watching the movie, I decided to do exactly what
you are not supposed to do; I went on the internet to figure out what was wrong
with me. After research and the knowledge that I learned from the movie I
diagnosed myself and decided that I was dying of cancer, that was a lot to take
in for only being 12-years-old. I finally gained the courage to tell my parents
my diagnosis and that I had accepted my illness.
My parents called the doctor immediately and took me to the doctor the
following day. After a really bad blood test, with extremely low blood count,
my doctor called my parents at 10 pm to discuss the results. I was promptly
taken the next day to see the head gastroenterologist at Children’s Memorial
Hospital in Chicago. After a series of tests involving me drinking way too much
GoLYTELY, after every dosage I was given a Beanie Baby. The results from the colonoscopy
were conclusive that I had Crohn’s Disease.
Since Crohn’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder, which is characterized
by severe stomach pain, diarrhea, anemia and the inability to properly digest
food. No one, especially not a 12-year-old girl would want to talk about this.
As most people can remember 12 is a very embarrassing age especially if you are
a girl becoming a women. Unfortunately during the initial first few years of my
diagnosis I dealt with some very unkind and unsympathetic reactions from extended
family members and friends. As a result, I did not tell people what specifically
was wrong with me and perhaps the 12-year-old girl is still inside me. To this
day I do not openly tell people that I have this disease. I mean now being a
20-something female trying to make it in the professional world, who wants to
talk about this topic of all topics? I have dated guys for months and never
told them what was wrong with me. I preferred to let people think that I was a
picky eater who orders food like Sally from the movie, When Harry Met Sally.
One of the most difficult aspects of having Crohn’s Disease is finding a way to
tell people about it. Of course my immediate family knows and has been my
biggest support system. Outside of that I try to keep it a secret.
I go through periods where I am perfectly healthy, but during a flare-up
it is a completely different story. One minute I could be perfectly fine and
then out of nowhere, my stomach will cramp up and I need to find a bathroom immediately. After I go to the
bathroom, I feel better for a few minutes, but the pain and urgency always come
back.
My advice to other young women dealing with Crohn’s who like me are
embarrassed and afraid of what most people will think, is to step up to the
plate and come out of the bathroom. There’s no cure for the disease, but with
diet and lots of food journals, life can be both manageable and enjoyable. If
people can’t accept you for you who are then they don’t need to be apart of
your life. Who needs people with their toxic energy in your life. Learn your
boundaries, understand what foods are your friends and what foods you should
stay away from. Be prepared for social situations, bring your own food if you
have to, and don’t be shy when ordering at a restaurant. Tell your waiter
exactly what and how you need your food prepared.
So one might wonder how this has affected my running. On the days where
I lack energy to even tie my shoes, is the day that I know that I must hit the
pavement even if I simply walk. I plan my running routes on where there are
accessible and clean bathrooms. One might wonder and question why I have chosen
a sport that is physically and mentally challenging. I have learned that NOTHING and I mean NOTHING can ever hold me back. My running has truly been my saving
grace. I made a conscious decision not to let my body hold me back from doing
the activities, which I love. I feel the most alive when I am running and I
will not allow my body to prevent me from logging those miles. It has been my
personal journey and life lesson that life can’t and won’t take the wind out of
my soul.
We are not alone in this particular race, some well known and well
respected people with Crohn’s Disease include: co-anchor of Nightline and Primetime Cynthia McFadden, Private Practice's Amy Brenneman has ulcerative colitis, Pearl Jam rocker Mike McCready, NFL quarterback
David Garrard, NFL tight end Chris Gedney, the 34th president of the United
States Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 35th president of the United States John F.
Kennedy, Boston’s Mayor Thomas Menino, PGA golfer Al Geiberger, hockey pro Kevin
Dineen, actress Shannon Doherty, singer for Saves the Day Chris Conley, son of
President George W. Bush, Marvin Bush, and Gold Medalist Sir Steve Redgrave. There
are countless names that are not included in this list.
I know that there are so many people with this disease who suffer
greater than I do, my prayer for all who are suffering with Crohn’s is that in
our lifetime through science and research, that a cure will discovered.
For further
information please visit Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America,
http://www.ccfa.org/.
On another note I have been nominated by Fitness Magazine for Best Blogger of the Year 2012 and would appreciate your support by voting for me and spreading the word to vote!
Recently the idea of participating in a Sprint Distance Triathlon was planted in my head. Like the Tea Cups at Disneyland, the idea just keeps on spinning round and round in my head. All the while this idea is spinning inside my head, out of the blue my Mother announced that she would like to make it her personal goal to be healthy and strong enough participate in The Danskin Triathlon this October 2012. With this news I knew that a Mother-Daughter Triathlon was in order! We both have had health issues this winter so when my mother discussed her goal with me, I knew that I too needed to get myself back to the old me and be a stronger healthier version. What better way to motivate regaining ones health and maintaining a healthier lifestyle than training for such an event. 
The Danskin Triathlon Series has eight Races throughout the country. It is the largest women and girls Series in the sport. Sprint distance triathlons (1⁄2 mile swim, 12 mile bike, 3 mile run) that empower women by challenging them in a motivational, supportive, and safe setting with “cheerleaders” every step of the way. Select Races offer a Super Sprint distance option. Participation can be on an individual or Relay Team basis – making them even more first-timer friendly.
Be a part of something bigger than yourself. With eight Races throughout the country there’s no reason not to TRI! We want to help women to get moving. Our “women empowering other women” mentality combined with doable Race distances makes our events extremely first-timer friendly. 
I have a super sweet tooth, which is why I was so excited when I came home today to the one of the most wonderful surprises, Jovial Foods sent me a box of cookies and pasta! My first introduction to Jovial Foods was finding their Checkerboard Cookies at a nearby Whole Foods. The cookies are so delicious, it's almost criminal! The nutritional value makes you feel like you're getting a treat and certainly not a cheat. I contacted Jovial Foods as I researched their products online and thought the nutritional value for the Checkerboard Cookies did not match the packaging. As it turns out the box was accurate and the online description was incorrect. Jovial Foods prides themselves on baking with Einkorn wheat; which is the first wheat cultivated 12,000 years ago. The antioxidant power in their products is twice the amount found in products with whole durum wheat. Their products are the purest most ancient species of wheat and also 100% organic. The staff was beyond courteous and friendly and even sent a package of other Jovial Foods delights. I can't wait to taste to the pasta and I especially can't wait to try the cookies! Low in sugar, low in fat, low calorie, and beyond delicious!!
