You know that friend you have that won’t stop talking about their favorite sports team, their job, their workouts, or any single topic that may or may not interest you?
I’ve become that person. I do not stop talking about my intestines. It’s gotten worse since my diagnosis changed from ulcerative colitis to Crohn’s disease, too. I’m getting my new “Ask Me” shirt tonight and can’t wait to wear it over and over again.
I think this is what my new shirt will look like. I have awesome photo editing skills. It’s really a shame I’m not a graphic designer or something.
It’s probably annoying to some people, just like I want to stick my fingers in my ears and start screaming things like “LALALA I CAN’T HEAR YOU!” when football season starts. I get that, but I’m not willing to shut up. Not for now. Here’s why. Let me break it down for you.
- Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are invisible illnesses. Many who suffer don’t look sick, and you can’t always tell a day when we feel like crap (pun intended) from a day when we’re feeling fine.
- Many people aren’t comfortable talking about these diseases — I wasn’t, at first. I speak for those who aren’t ready to speak for themselves yet.
- Breast cancer used to be something people talked about in hushed tones. Look how far that movement has come! I hope that I can be a voice to push our cause forward.
- By getting involved, I’ve met lots of people with IBD. Some of my closest friends have this disease now. It’s no longer just about me; it’s about them, too.
- An estimated 1.4 million Americans live with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and pediatric cases are on the rise.
I want to help. I’m not going to wait for someone else to speak up. I’m going to do it myself and continue to work hard to raise awareness. Because why not me?
In other news, I am in countdown mode right now. Just 11 days until Nashville! I am ready to knock this race out of the park. I’ve raised $4100 and counting towards my goal of $5000 and I am ready to run my little heart out.
So tell me about you. What do you talk constantly about? Do you have any countdowns going on?
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I love this blog. I love your strength and enthusiasm and passion. I love your running and your fundraising and your never shutting up about IBD.
I want to hang out. Let’s make it happen? oxo
Amanda recently posted..Where were you when the world stopped turning, that September day?
Thank you, girl. Let’s make that happen soon. Yes please.
xo
I’m very proud of your photoshopping skills. ha ha
I’m still quite serious about bedazzling pill boxes. Word.
Amy B @ Second City Randomness recently posted..Celebrations With Food
Thank you thank you thank you. My 5 year old was just diagnosed on 8/14/2012. Please don’t ever stop talking and bringing awareness to this awful disease. I pray that in my lifetime I’ll see her cured. You are an inspiration and all the way out here in NM you have made a difference to us! I appreciate your blog.
No, don’t stop talking. I’m the mother of a teenage boy who was diagnosed at 14 – he’s “indeterminate” colitis, which means at least they’re admitting they don’t know if it’s Crohn’s or UC, but this makes treatment decisions difficult to make. What I can’t stop talking about is the Affordable Care Act! Patients like you make all the difference for pediatric patients like my son who have to grow up with this illness and live with it forever — and here’s hoping that changes for all of you.