Thanks to everyone who has been sending me their experiences and comments about the website. It's been quite a year! It's really nice to know that lots of people are getting some good use from it. Here's a sample of the mail I've received. Some letters have been edited for space. If you want your e-mail address displayed by your comments, be sure to let me know. Otherwise, I won't put it up. After all, we all value our privacy! Several people have a nasty habit of not fully typing their e-mail address, especially on the forms. "Year3" is not a complete address. I must also have the "@wherever. com" to send you a reply. So please, send all of the information for an accurate response. One more thing: I get so much mail everyday that sometimes I accidentally overlook a letter or two. If you don't get a response in a few days or so, e-mail me again and remind me, please! Thanks for you help, and your mail!
I was diagnosed when I was 15, on June 16th 1999. I started feeling pain in
my stomach around April 99. Some of my friends thought I was just kidding
around, But after they found out I was going to the hospital to get an
ultrasound they realized it was for real. After my ultrasound I had to have
x-rays because they new something was wrong. I talked to a general surgeon on June
16th the day I was diagnosed. I was booked for emergency surgery the next
morning. I was scared. My mom and I went to the hospital that morning. I don't
remember much about that day, besides I was really tired and my stomach hurt. I
had about 2 feet of my intestine removed, my appendix, and some of my small and
large bowels removed. I was eating ice chip's for 4 days because my bowels would
not digest anything. I had my own morphine machine, that gave me 5 ml's of
morphine ever 5 minutes if I needed it. I had an IV in my arm, which fed my all
the nutrients I needed. I also had an abscess on my right thigh which made it so
that I couldn't walk around school and I had to be carried around. My mom stayed
with me the whole time I was there. My friends came and visited me but my best
friend stayed and talked to me the longest, even though I fell asleep on her she
was right there when I woke up. I couldn't walk for 4 days. When I wanted to sit
up I needed the nurse or my mom to come and help me. On the fourth day I was
aloud to eat Jell-O, on the fifth day broth's and on the sixth and seventh day I
was eating real food (hospital food yum). On the fifth day I had my drainage
tube taken out and on the seventh day I had my staples removed. I now have a 4
inch scar on my stomach but I am pain free. I am on pentasa, vitamin B12, iron
and centrum. To top it all of I also have a Under active Thyroid which I have to
take a pill for every day. I am Currently taking 11 pills a day. I am
healthy and have gained 27 pounds since I have been out of the hospital. I am
fully recovered and doing great.
Go back to October 1999
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