Long time Crohnie

I started demonstrating symptoms at age 8 and was finally diagnosed at age 10 with Crohn's Disease- that was in 1979. So now here I am... 40 years later.... 4 surgeries and COUNTLESS hospitalizations later- endless meds of all types later (pills- iv- infusions- injections-) and still I am thankful for each day. See my baby sister (by 2 years) lost her battle with this same disease back in 2005- she was 34years old. Having had Crohn's for 19 years at that time... she had endured 37 major surgeries - her poor body was tired and there seemed to be no reprieve for her- this disease was so aggressive that it affected every part of her health. Her death was ruled “electrolyte complications of Crohn's Disease”. Which means that her potassium dropped, her heart stopped, and we lost her. Although I miss her every day, she is the voice inside my head and the will inside my warrior soul that keeps me going strong and fighting this disease stronger every day!