One Year Later

It has been some time since I posted a public update. But that doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about how my disease affects my life. A couple of recent thoughts... It has been one year since I had my surgery at UPMC. I went into the operating room expecting that I would have zero intestine left, and that I would be TPN dependent until I received a transplant. When I emerged I was told I had 100 cm left and one last chance to live with my gut before needing a transplant. A blessing, but change of plans. I went from living with the unexpected and unknown to battling one more time with my fragile body. Since my spring time flare up, I have been doing really well. Between Remicaide and prednisone, my health has steadily improved. I've gained weight and strength, am eating to a point where I no longer need TPN and only saline at night. I haven't had a line infection. I've been able to play with the kids this summer. We bought good bikes, kayaked in northern Michigan, went to Florida for work and play, enjoyed Lake Michigan, and had a lot of fun. Tomorrow the kids go back to school, and Amy starts teaching again. I continue to work and will need to make sure that I don't over do it. We are throwing the kitchen sink at the Crohns with the prednisone and Remicaide. If we go backwards, I'm running out of options and I would prefer not to head back to UPMC for other than a check up. So the State of me one year later is I sure am thankful. Wonderful wife, wonderful children, wonderful boss and employer, meaningful work, it's a good life. It makes one realize that we need to take advantage of every day we have been given.