I Cried In Poopball!

For those of you who don’t know me… I have a very interesting health history.  Since 2003, I have struggled with major digestive issues.  Last April I was finally diagnosed with a genetic disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.  Ehlers-Danlos is a connective tissue disease.  This means the connective tissue in my body does not have the proper amount of collagen.  In turn, the connective tissue in my body is very loose and does not support my organs properly.  (For me the issues have been in by abdominal area, causing prolapses throughout my abdomen,)  I am also in a small minority of people with this disease who end up with gastric breakdown.  This pretty much means you just stop digesting.  

In the last five years I have had 12 surgeries to deal with all these issues…I really need a new hobby.  My surgery in November left me with an ileostomy.  Currently, as I said in my last blog I am in the hospital after yet another surgery.  I had a subtotal colectomy and reversed my ileostomy (a.k.a.  took out most of my colon…got rid of the bag).   This stay at my favorite vacation spot, otherwise known as St, John’s very similar to St. Bart’s without the ocean view, has had many ups and downs.  My last entry was during one of those downs.  So if you read Jim’s blog…I cried in poopball!

The bottom line is that even though this has been tough, it has also been a learning experience.  God has taught me so much about myself.  I have also realized how blessed I am to have such an amazing support network.  Jim and I are blessed with amazing friends and family (Thank You!!!!).  My sister in lawn flew in from Cleveland to be here for my surgery and to stay and take care of me (Thanks Debbie…You are amazing!)   My soon to be niece made me an ode to poop care basket. (The basket included toilet paper, lots of bran foods and of course a copy of Southern Lady.)  Who could ask for more?  So even though there have times of tears and times of frustration and fear there have been many more moments of hope.