Introduction:
I am a wife and mom of three special needs kids, ages 19, 15 and 10. All 3 of my boys suffer from IBD. My oldest, Chris, has it the worst. He has UC. My middle son, Ryan, has IBS. My youngest son, Matty, is autistic and has a hiatal hernia, IBS, and is currently being tested for Crohns and Celiac’s Disease.
The Story:
I am writing to you today from the comfort of a waiting room at the hospital. My oldest son, Chris, is in the middle of surgery, having his large intestine and a portion of his small intestine removed and a “J” pouch placed along with a temporary eliostomy bag. He has been in surgery since 7:30am. It is now 11:35am. I am sitting among many other people who have loved ones in surgery for one reason or another. The come in, wait and then leave. I, however, have been here since 6am as my son had the first scheduled surgery of the day. His surgeon booked the OR for 8 hours, although they believe it should take 5 or 6 hours. When we got here and were in pre-op, I gave my son and hug and a kiss and then watched as the escorted him out of the room and through the doors to the operating room. I can only pray that this will not be the last time I have the opportunity to do that.
Chris was diagnosed in 2010 with Ulcerative Colitis after years of IBS symptoms. He was given antacids and changed his diet and still no relief. We finally were referred to a pediatric gastrointerologist in October of ’10. After getting both scopes done, his doctor concluded that, yes, it is UC, and one of the worst cases he had ever seen in all his years in medicine. Chris was placed in just about every medication on the market, including 2 infusions of Remacade…all of which failed. After several rectal bleeds and hospitalizations, his doctor re-scoped him. The results were worse than before. Chris had no choice…either have your colon removed or die.
So today is the day. We found a surgeon that his gastro doc suggested at a local hospital and he completely agreed with our doctor that the colon needed out ASAP. Not only that, but the illness had started traveling up into the small intestine (which I believe is Crohns). This is the first of 3 surgeries my son will need. But as I see it, today is the first day of my son’s second chance at life.
I will continue to sit here and wait for my hospital pager to start beeping to let me know when he gets out and heads into recovery, which is an added 90 minutes. I have the medical/surgical board next to me and I keep waiting for it to change. My prayers will continue until I can once again wrap my arms around my son and hug and kiss him and tell him just how much I love him. After all, he will always be my baby.
To check out my tribute to my son, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2JGQo88ufA&feature=g-upl
written by Missy Lundeen
submitted in the “Someone in my family has UC” section
I am a wife and mom of three special needs kids, ages 19, 15 and 10. All 3 of my boys suffer from IBD. My oldest, Chris, has it the worst. He has UC. My middle son, Ryan, has IBS. My youngest son, Matty, is autistic and has a hiatal hernia, IBS, and is currently being tested for Crohns and Celiac’s Disease.
