During the best and worst times, they've stood by us. They're there when we need a voice to listen or to give us assigned homework that we missed. I'm talking about friends. Have any of your friends done anything way out above and beyond the call of duty for you when you're sick? Share those times here and give them the acknowledgment they deserve!
From Matt the Webmaster: I don't know what I'd do without my friends when I'm sick. When I spent 2½ weeks in the hospital in October 1996, one of my friends at the time bought me a video game to pass the time with, another brought me books and magazines all while keeping me up to date on work I was missing. Then there were a few from my science class who helped to get me to the school office when I collapsed that time. My close friends are very understanding about my diet and always check with me to see if I can eat at whatever place we end up at. Some of them even tried Ensure once when I was on a liquid diet. I could go on for pages with this topic.
From Kim: My friends have helped me with my homework, they have also helped me get back on track at school. Friends have also helped me with my school work that I missed. They also helped me with other things like, gym class, art, music and much more.
From Jessica: In January, I was put in the hospital for 2 weeks. I was really scared and nervous. I had to have a tube put down my nose and it ran all the way to my stomach. Needless to say I felt horrible. One of my best friends, Marie, came to see me just about everyday. She brought me magazines, flowers, and all kinds of other things. Her family also sent my parents homemade soup and bread. Without Marie my hospital visit would have been kind of boring. There were also two other very good friends of mine that came to visit me every other day. Their names were Ricki and David. They would come and play cards or watch movies with me. All of my friends that came made sure that I got my exercise. They would walk up and down the halls with me. They would push my I.V. machine and they didn't care about the fact that I had a tube hanging out of my nose.
From Jillian: In November or 1995, a week before Thanksgiving, my doctor decided to put me in the hospital because of a Crohn's flare. I had TPN and was on a clear liquid diet. I had a roommate named Jen. In the middle of the night we would sneak out of our rooms and go pig out on Popsicles and apple juice. One day we decided to go for a walk. We took the elevator and our IV's set of an alarm. I still missed my friends at home. One day I woke up and i saw my best friend at the door! She got me gifts but I didn't care, I was just so glad she was there! That day was the best day. We played a game of scrabble. Bad idea I was on Morphine ,a high dose, I chose some pretty odd words that made no sense like 'rownarf'!?!? We took walks and talked. It was the best day! From Erin: My friend Jenny is basically the best friend I have ever had since I was diagnosed back in Dec. of '97. When I was put into the hospital This past July (98), she came to see me in the hospital even though she had to ride down all by herself with my dad and brother. And believe me, that is enough to drive anyone crazy! She has also been very supportive when I would be having my bad days. My other friend Dana said she looked up Prednisone in her mom's medical books so she would know what I was talking about if I ever needed to talk to someone. But Jenny has been the best. If I ever needed to let off some steam, she would TOTALLY understand and let me do it on her. Of coarse I apologized afterwards, but she didn't care at all. Without her, I would probably be in a straight jacket sitting in an institution somewhere!! From Rose: My classmates were always a little scared of me growing up because I was sick sooooo much. I finally changed schools. At the new school every one knew I had Crohn's (I was just diagnosed) and when I was in the hospital for 6 weeks one day the ENTIRE SCHOOL came to visit me. Every one was very supportive, unlike my old school and my doctors don't think I would have lived if I would not have had this support.
From Ilana: Although I do not have Crohn's severely and have never been hospitalized or very sick, it is still a major part of my life. Especially because of the VERY restricted diet I'm on right now (no wheat, sugar, or dairy products). My 16th birthday was this past week and my friends knew how bummed I was about not being able to eat any of my favorite foods (including a b-day cake!!!). They always here me talking about TWC in school so they went online found the site and made me food for my birthday. My friends Sophie and Elena made me potato chips... and my other friend Sarah made me cookies (that I could eat)... and they attempted to make a few other things which didn't come out... I was so touched that even after all my complaining about my stomach and food they still took the time to give me such a thoughtful present.
From Erin: Alright so for some weird reason after two months in the hospital I started to lose my hair, eventually I was so patchy I just shaved it. I felt horrible about my appearance. then one night my three best friends came over to my house for a regular sleep over. I was surprised when they all pulled out razors and shaving cream. They all shaved their heads that night. Thanks Ainslie, Ashley, and Victoria.
From Lisa: Yeah, my friends were there for me, when I was sad and depressed because I couldn't go places with them. I would feel too sick or have bad pains that I would stay home. They were always there for me and that made me feel good.
From Ashley: I am only 12 years old. I found out that I had Crohn's on December 27, 1999 (Not a really good Christmas present, huh?) It was really hard for me!! I was out a lot and getting behind in school. I really needed someone there in my life to get me though the bad times and just to cheer me on. So I then turned to my Best friend! Her name is Jessie. I can tell her anything. I am really thankful that I have her for a friend. She is 12. I have known her for a really long time. She makes me fell good about myself. So I am happy to have Jessie as a friend.
From Allie: I am thirteen and was diagnosed with UC when I was 9. I never had a friend that understood until last year, Sara. Sara understood, and most of all I trust her with everything. I was in the hospital in Dec. 99 for my UC and got very bad and she was with me 100% of the way. I also had to end up having surgery , and who was with me? Sara!! She just understands and that is so nice, like everybody knows.. So thank you Sara. Thank you soo much. Love ya Like a sis forever.
From Mandy: I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease May 23rd. 2000. This has not been an easy road for me. But I have an awesome boyfriend of 9 and a half months that is there with me all of the time. He knows that I can't eat anything that is solid right now. He even tried going on the liquid diet with me when he was around me. Not once in the past month when I have been with him has he eaten anything at all unless it was something that i could eat. He is so sweet, he always sends me flowers and brings me things to do when I'm confined to my couch for weeks! I also have a best friend, Suzanne, she is pretty understanding about my whole ordeal, she cries with me when I need to cry to get everything out, and she cheers me up when I need it most. Suzanne and my boyfriend both call me every single day to make sure that I am doing okay. They stop by a lot to visit with me too. I have to quit my cheerleading squad for this year, I was captain of an All-star squad, but since I don't have any energy and I'm not getting any better the dr. suggested that I sit out for this year until i get everything under control. Well all the girls got together and decided to make me the manager of the squad, it makes me feel so good that I get to still help out and everything. Cheerleading is really my life and I hate to have to sit out of it. Everyone is so great, especially my mom, she's not only a mom, she's also a best friend, she's with me through Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING. So that's my story, everyone helps me out whenever they can and however they can!! Without friends through this i don't think I'd make it! I just love them all so much for being there for me!!
From Holli: My prom was recently and I have U/C and am in the middle
of a flare up. I didn't eat anything while I was there because I knew I'd
feel really sick if
I did, so one of my friend's, Kristy didn't eat anything and afterwards when
there were a lot of parties that were going on, mainly involving alcohol (a BIG
no for anyone with IBD), she came back to my house and brought her b/f and my
b/f came too. I felt really bad because I couldn't do anything but they
assured me that it was okay. I am very thankful for friends like that.
From Jessie: I'm Jessie, I'm 14 and I was diagnosed with Crohn's
Disease almost a year ago now, but was sick with it for ages before. Last year I
was so sick, I missed half a year of school and went to hospital a few times. It
was so painful, I had stomach pains and aches as well as bowel cramps, headaches
and dizziness, and many more horrible pains. I saw many different doctors but
none of them really knew what was going on, until I found my gastrointerologist
who is the best doctor I've ever had. She diagnosed me officially with Crohn's
and I spent three weeks on a liquid dietary substance which I still take now as
a medicine. Some days I felt like I was going to die, and wanted to but the
thing that kept me going was the love and support of my family and friends.
Without them I never would have coped. When I had my really bad days, my friends
would call me and it would really cheer me up, having something else to think
about kept my mind off the major problems I was having. So I would just like to
thank all my friends who have been there for me: Laura, Hailey, Alisa, Sheena,
Kelly, Jess, Kathryn, Fiona,
Annika, Lauren, and many more of you guys, you know who you are. I couldn't make
it without any of you. And to all of you who have suffered like me, just think
about the people who care most about you and it will make you realize you are
never alone.
From Cindy: A couple of months ago I had an NG tube put in. I
decided to wear it all the time because then it wouldn't be so much of a hassle.
Well one day I
was walking down the street and this little girl (she was rude) she asked me
what that thing was in my nose. My friend said to her "Hey aren't kids
wearing them at your school? It's a new fashion statement. I have a purple
tube at home." The girl just shrugged and left. Even though I got the tube
out now, my friend is still there for me.
From MK: My friends are the best. My first "real
flare" came in the winter of 6th grade. My best friend Cara was there
everyday, and all of my friends came
and visited at least once during the almost 3 week period! It felt so good
just to gossip and talk with my friends, play video games, and laugh about
stupid teen magazines. These great girls really got me through this tough
part of my life!
From Kristine: The first time I was in the hospital was only for a week, but my mom took off work and never left my side. After deciding that I was ok to go home I became sick in less then a week and was readmitted to the hospital, only to spend a month in the hospital. Again, my mom took off the entire month and never left my side. Not only was my mom there, my friends visited me, with gifts, smiles, and games to play. If it weren't for my friends I would of never made it this far. I was 14 when I was first diagnosed and being 16 now I've spent 8 weeks in the hospital, grateful everyday to have friends and family to cheer me up.
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