Getting it out of my head...

Hello, my name is Michelle.  I am a 46 year old woman who was diagnosed 2.5 years ago with Ulcerative Colitis.  Although it was devastating 2.5 years ago to receive that diagnosis, it definitely did not prepare me for what I am facing every day now. 

Let's get a little background for you.  No I won't tell you my whole life story so this will be pretty short, sweet and to the point.  I am a veteran and this is the only medical that I have so when I got deathly sick in February 2015, the Marion IL VA Medical Hospital is where I turned to.  I was admitted and diagnosed with UC.  See, pretty quick and to the point. 

Let's fast forward to the summer/fall and now winter of 2017.  In the summer I did fight with my VA doctor begging for them to help me with my FMLA paperwork for work because they never wrote it correctly and it kept being declined.  It never failed that come summertime with my job, a City Carrier walking 14 miles a day, that I would go into a flare-up.  It NEVER failed!  Hence the reach out to my doctor to get this paperwork fixed!  I did not want to loose my job.  I am forever grateful that my doctor did request an outside GI doctor for me and I am now in their care.  

I must say I appreciate all that I receive from the VA.  I am thankful that they can provide the medical needs to so many, however for a specialty...please ask to seek a civilian/outside specialist.  For the 2.5 years I have been on my medicine the VA has not exactly monitored my disease.  As a result the UC has taken control of my whole colon and I now have the worse case of UC, pan colitis. 

My doctors are now fighting to take back control of my colon and rectum.  Yes, we could just cut it all out and be done with it.  Believe me I have thought about it often during this past few months.  I have never felt so bad, rotten, horrible, miserable...ALL the THINGS as I do now, however I have faith.  That's all I have and I am running with it as far as my legs, mind, body and soul will carry it.  

I decided to share my journey with you.  It helps me to get all the thoughts out of my head so I can face the day.  I hope that seeing a small glimpse of my life can impact yours.  Not everyone understands UC.  Some just need to connect with others who have it so they feel they are not alone.  While others just need or want information so they can help and connect to loved ones.  There are so many reasons for me to share my journey, so if you know someone who needs or wants this help be sure to share my blog.  I am not an expert about UC, just someone who lives with it every day.