A Year Ago Today...

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1996, shortly after I turned 21 years old. For the next several years I had times of ups and downs with the colitis, it would sometimes go into remission for 6-8 months. But after I had our first son in September 1999, I pretty much began a roller coaster ride with this disease. I would have flare ups every few months, going on and off steroids and other medications. I was hospitalized a couple of times for dehydration and anemia associated with the colitis.

In the spring of 2003, my incredible gastrointerologist, Dr. Henry Pham, suggested that we begin thinking about surgery to remove my colon as this was our last option. Matt and I began researching the surgery called illeoanal resevoir anastomosis with a j-pouch and decided with the help of Dr. Pham that this would be the best decision for us.

In August we met with Dr. Robert Jacobson at Baylor Medical Center in Dallas and from there set up a date for the surgery in. This was a decision with made after lots of thought and prayers. And it turned out to be the best thing we could have done.

I had the first surgery on October 21, 2003, the second in January 2004 and a third emergency surgery in February. Looking back on how wonderful the past eight months have been, I know that this was the best decision we could have made. I have been able to gain my strength and energy back and have felt a world a difference. This surgery was an answer to so many years of prayer and I feel very blessed that mine went as well as it did.