Something I'm very passionate about....

(FYI-this is lengthy....so please feel free to read when you have some time)

Never before told to this extent....

This is my story.....

Florida....2004....19 years old....

January....occasional discomfort, occasional diarrhea

February....discomfort, stomach ache, diarrhea

March....upset stomach, living on Imodium and pepto, more diarrhea, what is going on?

April....more stomach aches, severe diarrhea, more discomfort, having a hard time digesting anything, do I have the flu? I'll just keep ignoring it and go to work everyday. It HAS to go away eventually...right?

May....stomach pain, immediate trips to bathroom right after I eat, sometimes in the middle of eating, is that BLOOD?, dropping a whopping 20 pounds in a couple weeks(a size I hadn't been at since before high school) vomiting, stomach distended, fever, chills, hurts to move/walk, sleepy....so sleepy....am I dying? It would be okay, because then my pain would be gone.

End of May....very lethargic, don't remember much, sister dressed me....Jim carried me to the car....trip to the ER....Doctors don't know what's wrong....they send me home.

Beginning of June....visit to the doctor's office....cute doctor ;) (remember Ang)that's one thing I remember, he admits me to the hospital right away. Tests...more tests....more tests.....blood transfusion (so low I should have died)...more tests.....

Result=Crohn's Disease=no cure=medication the rest of your life=flare ups=your life revolving around a disease that makes choices for you.

My outlook now on Crohn's disease=my disease will not control me...I can control it. I will have a life. I'll not only have a child, but as many as I can. Sure, I'll have flare-ups but I'll get fixed and get right back up and move on. I'm stronger because of my disease. My faith in my Savior is stronger. To realize emotionally and physically the pain my Savior chose to suffer for me on my behalf....is remarkable. I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone and Christ suffered in Gethsemane for every one's pain. He is truly my best friend.

This Summer, on Saturday June 5th, I will be walking in the Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis Walk. Take Steps is CCFA's national evening walk and celebration and the nation's largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. We will enjoy a casual 2-3 mile stroll and raise money for crucial research, bringing us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Over 1.4 million American adults and children are affected by these digestive diseases. While many suffer in silence, Take Steps brings together this community in a fun and energetic atmosphere, encouraging them to make noise and be heard. There will be music, food, and kids activities.

My personal goal is to raise $250.00. I'm currently forming a team to walk with me. My teams goal is to reach $1,000.00. If you would like to donate, I would greatly appreciate it! $1, $5, more or whatever you'd like. Your donation will help support local patient programs, as well as important research projects. This cause is very important to me and I appreciate your help as we fight for a cure!

Thanks in advance!

(If you would like to donate, go to http://www.cctakesteps.org/ and click on "Donate to a Walker" and type my name in and I should come up. My team name is "Suffer in Silence." If you'll be in the area and would like to join my team and walk with me-feel free!)