This page is designed to allow brothers and sisters of Crohn's patients to talk about their experiences with the disease. So send your words of wisdom to me today!
Naomi says: My sister, April, has Crohn's. Just yesterday, she went to the hospital for more of those stupid tests. She made it through okay, and she is doing great with all of it. She was diagnosed in September ('97) and she is finally getting better. She is on Prednisone, and she has all of the side effects. (She's also on tons of other pills. ) Sometimes she gets really frustrated, but she always manages to come back. : ) Some days, it is really hard to get along with her, and we both bite off each other's heads, but we both have to be patient with each other. It takes a lot for someone with Crohn's to live with it everyday, so I always have to back off a step and get control. I seriously think that I couldn't handle it as well as she does. She plays basketball, soccer, and volleyball and she seems perfect. She is one of the bravest people that I know! : ) I love my sister a lot. Anyway, to all you brothers, sisters, and friends: before you lose your temper because they are "complaining" or "having major mood swings" again, put yourself in their shoes before you-( whose life is a lot easier to live with than theirs is...) fly off the handle. So just step off and try to be a little understanding. A little understanding goes a long way!
Donny says: My brother and I have never gotten along. I was always beating up on him. Mom always said something bad was going to happen if I didn't stop. Now he has Crohn's disease. I felt like I caused this. I really do love my brother. I just can't show it. I worry about him now. He has been in the hospital for 14 days now and I'm too scared to go see him. Mom says I didn't do anything to cause this to happen to him but I have treated him pretty bad. I just hope he is ok. This should have happened to me.
Kayla says: My brother is a 14 y/o with Crohn's disease. His whole life he has had problems with his stomach. He's been misdiagnosed with ulcers, some doctors even said he was just "high strung". This past December he was diagnosed with CD after several weeks of crushing abdominal pain, no sleep and he couldn't eat. About one month later he was once again admitted to the hospital where he had 18" of his small and large intestine removed as well as his appendix (which was folded up and stuck to his large intestine). He was so relieved to know that they could finally correct this and stop the pain that he had been living with for so many years. Being a nursing student, I really had a unique perspective on his hospital experience. I was more able to understand the pathology of his disease and I was better equipped to help him and our family deal with his illness because of my training. The experience has made everyone in our family so much closer. If I had any advice to offer siblings, younger or older, it would be that little things mean a lot. He has told me since his hospitalization that just my presence, just knowing that I cared enough to be there with him, meant a lot to him. Other things may help too. Just a card, or a pack of gum (your mouth can get so dry when you can't have anything to eat or drink--especially when you've got a tube down your throat). Since his surgery he has dramatically improved. In just over a month he has gained about 20-30lbs--he has been eating my parents out of house and home. It's go good to see him enjoying life! I know that this was a bad situation all around, but we are both very thankful for the opportunity to become closer!
Rachel says: My sister has Crohn's, but it's pretty easy to live with her. She's pretty much back to her old self. But when she first got Crohn's it was like living with a pack of wolves. She always walked around complaining or moping about how her life isn't going to be the same again. I guess I don't blame her. She did have a colonoscopy and a tube down her throat. It was pretty bad for her especially since she had to have both in the same day. My dad and I went to the gift shop down stairs and got her a bear and candy for when she woke up. She was psyched to see my dad because he wasn't there when she went under and we don't live with him. Now, she's okay and she's gained all of her weight back. Now, we're closer than ever and have a lot of fun. I guess the most important part is to be there with them every step of the way. Since she's had her colonoscopy, we've been the closest we've ever been.
Scott says: this person isn't my sibling but one of my friends that is like a sister to me. She was diagnosed on July 11, 2001. She called me and I asked her what was wrong and she said she was diagnosed. At that moment I felt so strange as if I was going to pass out. I asked her if there was a cure and she said she didn't think so. At this point she was crying and I could tell she was in much pain!!! Today's is July 24, 2001, and she's getting tests done this very moment. I wish there was some way she could get a miracle cure!!! But that's probably not gonna happen. My favorite teacher has CD also so I know how many surgeries you have to get. I hope Liz gets better soon.
An anonymous person says: First I want to thank you for this website. It is great! My 19 year old sister has Crohn's and was diagnosed about 4 years ago since then, Amy has not been able to go into remission. I was reading on your page about people who have had surgery to improve their conditions and I am envious. My poor sister cannot have surgery because her Crohn's h as spread so much. I am 20 years old and am extremely close to Amy, she is my world. It kills me to see her constantly in the hospital and taking this drug and that drug. Its plain annoying. There has been times when Amy was ready to give up, but never has. She attends college and so she lives away most of the year. Throughout all her pain, hospital visits, and illness Amy has achieved honors and been accepted into 2 honors programs...though she knows it will not be easy and hasn't been easy, Amy hasn't given up. Her ultimate goal is to own her own day care and though long days of childcare have become near impossible, Amy hasn't quit. She is a true inspiration and I just wanted to share how great of a girl my little sister is. I love you Amy!
Mehgan says: My brother has always had a hard time adjusting to new
things. So while he was trying to adjust to high school he was diagnosed
with Crohn's. It was two weeks after his first formal dance and right
after Christmas. I was going through a nasty time with my
boyfriend. Aaron was crushed when he discovered he had Crohn's and that
depressed me even more. But even though he was so sick he was there for me
through my depression. He is my strength and one of my best friends.
He gives me hugs when I've had the worst day. yeah his mood swings are
awful and he's always had quite a temper. I left for college this year and
we don't get to talk as much. He's only had Crohn's for two years and it
hasn't been the easiest thing for him to deal with. But he has shown me
that if he can succeed with it that I can do anything that life puts in front of
me especially with his help. I love you Aaron!
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