Crohn's Disease

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Fri Jun 07, 2019 7:23 pm

Hello. My niece & nephew have Crohn's Disease and their sister most likely has it, too. My nephew has been in and out of the hospital since January and recently had a portion of his intestine removed. For the first time in months he has been able to eat solid food and has been feeling good. Yesterday he received the results of the biopsy taken during the surgery - he has colon cancer. He's 30 and has a 5-year-old daughter. My maternal grandfather had colon cancer. We try to figure out what causes MC and I think in my case we have a bunch of bad genes. My mom's sister has pancreatitis, which I believe is related to both MC and Crohn's Disease. I'm starting to think these Irish genes aren't so great after all!

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sat Jun 08, 2019 6:46 am

Oh I'm so sorry Marcia! That is terrible. I have a 30-year-old niece with Crohn's who refuses to quit eating gluten and has been miserable lately. I just don't understand that. Her mom (my sister) has restricted her diet for years, originally for migraines but later for some digestive issues (no MC yet). The niece has two young children and I just (pretty much) bite my lip as she doesn't want to listen.

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sat Jun 08, 2019 7:38 am

Hi, Deb. He is the same. He wasn't even going to the doctor for management of his Crohn's until it became bad. He has a hard physical job that requires him to work out of state a lot and while I can imagine that it was difficult for him to schedule an appointment I can't help but think how things would be had he gone to the doctor much sooner. He is now eating much better...so frustrating! My mom told him & his sister to talk to me but they didn't want to change their diets. It's hard to know that you have the knowledge to help someone, but only if they want your help. I was out walking this morning at 6:00 a.m. on a beautiful day in PA and I am so very grateful that I am doing as well as I am -- much thanks to this group.

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Sat Jun 08, 2019 7:52 am

Marcia - It is so frustrating when people won't even consider changing their diets despite being very sick. I have even had a few people ask me for advice and then not be able to follow through with what I suggested they might do. My health has so radically improved in so many ways that it is hard for me to comprehend this attitude. I am sorry about your nephew. We can only do what we can do. After that it's up to them. Unfortunately their decisions effect so many other people as well.

Jean

dolson · Post by **dolson** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:55 pm

Reading your post has made me cry. Your nephew is so young and this is upsetting. My friend's husband has Crohn's Disease and he suffers. Numerous surgeries and they were going on vacation. That's out. He's in the same spot as your nephew. My friend is a cat feeder and she was in charge. Now I never see her when we have our cat feeder meetings. I suspect the worse. We think we have it bad until we hear news like yours. Dorothy

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 5:39 pm

Hi, Dorothy. Agreed - when we realize what others are going through our situations don't seem so bad. We keep praying for a positive outcome. He has a very good attitude which makes it easier for those of us who are concerned about him.