The Dancing Crohnie

The year was 2011, when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I was 21 years old and had just graduated from college with a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Modern Dance and a minor in English. My dream was to dance classically in New York City and live a life full of art, travel, and dreams-fulfilled.

Growing up I was a robust, healthy kid. As the only girl in my family, I was used to scraping my knees, throwing baseballs, canon-balling into pools, playing tag, climbing trees, the works. I was active all the time, and I never spent a day in a hospital. So, you can imagine that when I started to feel the symptoms of Crohn’s, I really didn’t know how to process it.

First it was diarrhea here and there which I just contributed to something I ate. Then slight abdominal cramping and nausea. But with time, these symptoms progressed in severity and frequency. Before I knew it, I was eliminating blood when I went to the bathroom, and that’s when I knew something was wrong. I was also exhausted, my ankles were swollen, I was losing weight and feeling sick all over. That’s when I told my mother and we made an appointment with the gastroenterologist.

Immediately, he prescribed a colonoscopy, which in hindsight I am so thankful for because it made for a laser quick diagnosis. After the procedure, he broke the news to me in his office that I had Crohn’s disease. I had severe inflammation, and ulcerations in my Ilium, colon, and rectum.

I remember being blind sighted by his words. I had absolutely no idea what Crohn’s Disease was, and the word scared me to death. My life definitely changed that day, but I was determined to continue with my dance career and head to New York City.

Despite my frail condition, I made the big move and snagged a performance contract dancing with the Metropolitan Opera. I lasted 4 seasons, until I had to quit due to my health. Those four years were challenging. I was hopping around from different biologics, and in and out of the hospital. I was suffering more and more as the years progressed, as I felt nothing was working and I barely saw any improvement in my symptoms.

It wasn’t until I quit my job, and focused on healing that I finally saw the light. I went on an immense journey towards healing and read books, did my research, changed my diet, incorporated essential oils, tried EMF technology, began natural supplements and truly changed my lifestyle.

Seven years of dealing with Crohn’s has given me an abundance of experience dealing with the physical and mental symptoms of this disease. I have been on Remicade, Entyvio, Humira and Stelara. I’ve been hospitalized just under 10 times with two weeks straight being my longest stay and 4 days being my shortest. At my worst flare I weighed 84 pounds (I am 5’6) was pumped with steroids (as usual) and was surviving the excruciating abdominal pain through the use of Dilaudid via IV.

So, in turn, after all I’ve been through, I decided to start a blog www.thedancingcrohnie.com to share tips, encouragement and information for those suffering with IBD. The diagnosis I was given was bad, but I decided to turn it into good by helping others.

You’re not alone in this. I’m here rooting for you! Let’s heal together.

Always dancing,
Elizabeth Alvarez