Thank You!

Just wanted to leave a quick thank you to everyone for their kind words, and healing thoughts. I have to say, I was very touched by the concern when I was in the hospital. I am truly grateful for all the friends I've made since embarking on this exciting new chapter of my life. I hope this post finds everyone in good health - Jason

Fun Times At Bethesda North...

I spent the night, and most of the afternoon admitted at Bethesda North Hospital. I was feeling sick for about 3 days, and became dehydrated - with a small bowel obstruction too.

I am doing much better, the hospital took good care of me! I just wanted to leave a quick post to thank everyone for their concern; It was very touching. I appreciate the friends I've made on here more than any of you know! I am going to lye down, and watch some TV.

I hope everyone is well, and I will be more active over the next couple of days.

-Jason

Sunday 11.15.2009 Exciting Title I Know!

Hello everyone! Just wanted to start off by thanking everyone who is apart of CDSN. I truly never imagined when creating this network, that people would actually find it. For years I lived my life with great friends, family - but never really knew anyone else with Crohn's Disease.

For me this is turning into an incredible experience. Before CDSN I had never created anything on the web, outside of my personal blog. Hearing the feedback from everyone have been humbling, cathartic, surprising, and somewhat life changing. I've made new friends who can fully understand. When I was diagnosed in 1999, after 14yrs of never knowing what was wrong. I was 19, a point when I was ready to finally embark on MY LIFE. Needless to say, staying in University or holding down a job was challenging. I always wanted to help people, since I was a kid. I had tried returning to University to be a social worker...still only have 4 credits lol. Long story short, I finally feel like I'm accomplishing something with my life; something to wake up for - helping people.

For way too long, I lived my life with Crohn's Disease running it. I've been on disability since 2005, I rarely want to leave the house for numerous reasons - whether it be a bathroom, pain, nausea, fatigue, worry of infection cause of a compromised immune system from Humira...I could go on. I felt *and kinda still do, working on it!* that staying home is easier - when there is a wonderful world around me that is in no way getting fully taken advantage of. In a way creating CDSN has started to help me re-enter my life; step out of limbo and start living again. I've kinda always been a relentless optimist, and never going to let Crohn's the best of me. I am DONE letting it run my life - I am ready to start living again, one day at a time. I am tired of Crohn's ruining so many wonderful opportunities, and relationships...I am someone LIVING with Crohn's NOT someone SUFFERING from it. Sure I know it's incredibly unpredictable and can never know really what is going to happen...but what is the worst that can happen? ....Will never know unless I try....

Thank you everyone who has taken the time to read this...for being a CDSN member..for wanting to spread awareness about Crohn's Disease...for educating yourself in understanding the wide range of complexities that comes with Crohn's Disease...for being brave to share your stories.... Together as a community, we can let the world know about Crohn's Disease- put faces and stories to a disease that far too long has only been something people have heard of, or know someone living with it, but truly doesn't understand it.

I am going to stop rambling now... best wishes to everyone.

-Jason

A Happy Halloween....

Hello everyone! Just want to first off thank everyone for being apart of CDSN! Everyone's kindness, words of encouragement, and rallying have really helped more than any of you will ever know. I am also excited about the domain I purchased going into effect. http://www.CrohnsDiseaseSN.com I bought the domain through go-daddy woo hoo! Just another step in helping the network grow, to help out as many people as possible. Remember also, tweeters #CDSN hash tag and @CrohnsDiseaseSN for the network! Thanks!!!

I had an alright week, recovering from bad flare up last week. I took it easy pretty much all week. Today was nice, I got to go over to my sisters house. and visit with my nephews and her. It was so wonderful to see my youngest Nephew as I have not seen him since he was 2wks old; he's 7mos old now. I posted some pics, in his adorable little skeleton outfit. It was so nice to get out of the house, and have some fun. Being on the Humira my immune system is compromised. I've already had to be pulled off twice due to infection. My GI basically told be to quarantine myself - so I haven't really seen a lot of people lately (another reason I am so grateful for CDSN as it's an outlet for me).

I saw my GI on Monday, and she feels everything should stay with Humira. I don't know if it is working as well as when I first started in May, but I will continue. I hope everyone had a decent as possible week, and a happy Halloween!

Jason 10-31-09