Just a quick update. I am looking to start writing again and I would love to change my format a little. I want to get you, my viewers, more involved. So, here is what I want to do. I am going to list some things I will be writing about soon and I would love for you to let me know if you have any experience or stories you want to share. You can email me at aguywithcrohns@gmail.com. It can be a couple of sentences or a couple of paragraphs. I will respond to you and if I choose to publish what you wrote, I will get your approval first. I would never publish anything without permission.
So what will I be talking about. Well, if you have anything to say about the following, let me know:
IBD and arthritis
IBD and weight loss or gain
IBD and depression
Starting a new job with IBD
For now, that is all I have in the works, but of course, if you have an topics you would like me to talk about, let me know. I look forward to hearing from everyone with their stories and ideas. Can’t wait to see what we can all transform this blog into.
A Guy With Crohn's 
I don’t have Crohn’s, but my fiancée does.
We’ve been together for nearly 9 years. That’s basically 9 years of nursing him through illnesses; dealing with his insurance, his doctors and his pharmacists on his behalf; 9 years of juggling schedules to allow for sudden illnesses; budgeting for medical debt; driving him to and home from work because he has no choice but to go, but he’s on painkillers and can’t drive; trying to keep my own shit together while sometimes fearing the worse; and even, once, “quietly yelling” at him in his hospital room because he was being obstinate and making things worse. 😉
Never once have I thought, “He’s not worth it.”
Crohn’s sufferers do not live in vacuums. The rest of us don’t have the disease, but we suffer in our own way when you suffer. We can feel so very, very helpless.
I appreciate your blog. I’m not much of a commenter here, but the reminder that we’re not the only ones doing this every single day is comforting.
He proposed just a few days ago. With $4k in hospital bills coming, we don’t have the money for rings or a big wedding, but I honestly couldn’t care less about that. Life goes on, eh? 😊💜
First let me say you have touched me. I feel so much for anyone that suffers from IBD, or any illness for that matter, but I really feel and am thankful for the caregivers and those that support us. I know we can be a handful at times. We put up with a lot in our lives. You put up with even more. I am so thankful for everyone that cares for and loves an IBDer. I am sure you are well appreciated by your fiance.
As for your the proposal…congrats. You should know, when I proposed to my wife, I was in debt and she was still in school with no job. The ring was small and the wedding even smaller. Our reception was in a friends back yard because we couldn’t afford anything. What matters is the love, not the day. He loves you and you love him. That is all that matters. In time, the money will come and then you can celebrate.
As you know, once you have gone through richer and poorer, sickness and health – all before you even get engaged – I think you have a strong foundation. Yes, I’m appreciated! He tells me *every single day without fail* that I’m the love of his life. He tells others that I’m the best thing to ever happen to him. I try to stay humble. LOL!! Your wife is a lucky woman – and I bet she feels pretty lucky, too. 😀
I’d personally like to hear here from others who, like me, are involved in Crohn’s from “the other side”. It’s an interesting way to “round out” life with Crohn’s. Keep up the good work.
Im excited to read about these topics. Depression in particular, because many people do not realize that its a big part of it. Im glad your getting into writing again! It really helps on the bad days.
Do you have anything you would care to share on any of the topics. I would love any input you or any reader have.
I am still pretty new to this, and I had no idea what was coming my way when I was first diagnosed. My world completely turned upside down, and no one could have prepared me for it. A side from dealing with the sickness in general, I soon discovered that depression is a factor in this. Not all days are bad, but some days it is really hard to find happiness. I believe you should always have something to look forward too. However, I could not find anything anymore.
The fatigue I was feeling is so unlike me, and I become terrified of who I am turning into. Not having energy to do simple things? Or, the things that used to make me happy no longer satisfied me. I wanted it to more than anything, but I could not find it in me. Having a chronic disease is something that is a daily struggle. On top of that, trying to explain to other people what your going through is next to impossible. I recently joined a support group, and I enjoyed my first meeting. I learned that other people are going through a lot more than I am, but I also learned that it doesn’t mean what I am going through isn’t hard.