Dear Friends and Family,
You have been an amazing support system. To some of you I bare my every feeling too- crying about my skin issues, complaining about my gut, and exposing the truth about the toll of Crohn’s disease takes on me. Others, I share the bare minimum. I feel I do my most complaining when I am in a flare or feeling really ill- that’s when I need to the most support to function as a person. However, when I am feeling better I complain less but that doesn’t mean I am feeling 100%. I guess that when I fall into the but you don’t look sick category (Because when I am sick and feeling like ass people notice- but they aren’t gonna say “hey, are you feeling okay you look like pass!” because that would be a daily occurrence and then it kinda becomes rude, lol.)
I can not explain to you the fatigue I felt and still experience to some degree. I can only revert to the SPOON Theory. (please Google it). Yes, going to work sucks my energy. Yes, going to the gym will hinder my progress right now. Yes, even walking. Yes, even lifting weights. Yes, only for 30 minutes. Yes, any extra exercise at this time. What seems easy to you is NOT the same for me. Although I am improving, I have a long way to go. Please respect my feeling when I sincerely decline activities that require major energy in efforts to maintain the progress that I have made thus far. I am working very hard to be semi-functional in society. Also, please be respectful when I decline eating out and no, I don’t want to just do it this one time. It makes me feel incredibly awkward right now to ask the waiter a zillion questions on how the food is prepared to avoid gluten and dairy. Also, it’s awkward and somewhat torture to go out and only eat grilled chicken which isn’t enough to fill my stomach while everyone else gets food that I want to eat. I don’t love grilled chicken but its the “only safe” thing on the menu. I want to eat your chili but that will leave in pain for days.
Thank you for always providing me the support that gets me through the rough days. But please provide me the respect of my healthy habits on the good days so I continue progress and have the energy to make memories with you on the good days.
Love always,
Jcrohnie 🙂
gut-wrenching truth about crohns 
Hugs to you and praying for a healthy year for you!
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We’re battling PANDAS disease, (autoimmune disease, strep causing body to attack brain). We’re having huge success with Camel Milk, then Donkey Milk, and Paleo Autoimmune diet. Hope this helps you too! Blessings!
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I am on a diet similar to the AIP. I incorporate almond milk in substitute for cows milk. Where do you get camel milk from? Wishing you health and happiness!
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Very well written – couldn’t agree more 🙂
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Thank you!
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Thank you
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I respect the fact that you looked for outside support with your natural doctor and didn’t just accept the only option to be the typical medical route. This needs to be attacked from many angles. You are doing everything correctly and the only thing that I would suggest for your energy is one daily juice of course – haha:) I wish you nothing, but the best!
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Thank you! 🙂 I am building my way up to juicing, I am doing smoothies right now so I can add protein powder and that’s how I add my Glutamine. With juicing I have to stay away from greens right now and I worry a little bit about the sugars from fruits. But I think juicing is going to be the way I can have cranberries in my life! Any recommendations on a good juicer?
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