Living with Crohn’s for 58 Years – Elina’s Story
When I was 13 years old, I started having symptoms of a bowel disease: cramps, fever, anemia, constipation, abscesses, fecaloma, fistulas, etc. I weighed…. nothing. Skin and bones. I entered the hospitals and stayed entire months being operated on and receiving treatment.
When I was 19, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and I nearly died because my colon was near perforation. I was operated on and my colon was removed. I started living with an ostomy. In those days it was hard, but I wanted to live and fought with mind and heart. I was very lucky because I started psychotherapy, and I always say that it saved my life.
For seven years I lived with the ostomy, and life was more stable: I studied and I worked. Life was not easy, but it had started to smile at me. After so many years of pain I was looking forward to new challenges. Every month I went to the specialist and underwent numerous colonoscopies, but I did not mind. Finally, after the operation that brought me back to normal, I started to be more stable.
My Breathtaking Journey of a Lifetime
At 36 I got pregnant and had a child. I could not believe that would be possible. After he was born, I have been quite stable. I worked hard, I had my family and I studied. Sometimes I ask myself, “how could I manage?”! Every six months I run the routines: calpro, blood samples etc. Every day I take my medicines. I am disciplined and am careful with my diet. I do gentle exercises and yoga. I try to listen to my body. It has not been easy, but it is possible.
When I look back and see me now, it’s breathtaking. I am very grateful every day. I am 70, going on 71 next month! I have traveled, and Crohn’s did not stop me from work travels or scholarships abroad. So how can I not be happy, especially with a son who is 34 years old. Life has its challenges and we must defy them.
Thank you for reading, and please excuse my English – it has been a long time since I last spoke English, but I hope I have been able to express my feelings. I am Uruguayan, from Uruguay in South America. Thank you for letting me tell my story, though to me it seems like a “resumé”.
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