[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

(I sent this to Budge..and some of my friends through e-mail,..and wanted to share it here too. You all have been the best. SORRY if you get PINGED twice (maybe even THREE times..arghhhh sorry!!). I just don't want to miss anyone who sent prayers and was so caring towards me. God Bless!! Mary Ann)
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Hi.. just a quick update. I'm going to type this to everyone as we are in the middle of our move. (Did I mention I HATE MOVING!!!)

When the Doctor did the endoscopy and colonoscopy during my last hospitilization, I had understood there to be "one" lesion on the stomach and small intestine. I was kind of shocked to see the pics. There were well over a dozen in the pictures I saw alone. I look like a polka dot dress inside, pink with red polka dots.

We are surprized there was so much inflammation. During the previous hospital stay in December for a week, all the time in between and then during this last hospitalization from January 10 -17, I was ON stomach medicines to calm it down, along with anti-biotics.

I continue to have problems eating. I can only eat bland foods. NONE to little FIBER or what they call a LOW residue diet. Anything else makes me have a flare up.

The Doctors are diagnosing it as Crohns. The only other thing they think it could "possibly" be, is my liver disease causing an inflammatory response that resembles/acts like Chrons. My doctors are trying hard to figure it out. They are absolutely awesome. I know how much they care, and how hard they are trying to help me.

I began a new medicine yesterday called Pentasa. I take four pills, four times a day. It is a medicine for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns. We are hoping and praying my liver can let me do this medicine. We will be watching for the possible side effects from the medicine, pancreatis, kidney problems, and of course monitoring my liver through all of this. I already have one side effect.. a headache!! ughh It will be SUCH A BLESSING if this medicine can work for me.

We are repeating the Colonoscopy on the 20th of Feb.

We really appreciate all your prayers, and love.

If you could please continue with the prayers, it would be appreciated very much.

I'm sorry I had to write this "generically". I don't like doing it this way. But I hope you will all understand. I love everyone who has recieved this, and hope to be in touch better after this move is over.

Art and I have been dealing with all this very well, and feel it is all in Gods hands. Yesterday I was depressed, and allowed myself time to absorb everything even to grieve. Art and I talked this through, and I have to say,.. we are so strong. No matter what this life throws at us.. we are going to survive it somehow.

Our belief in God and our love for each other is stronger than anything that can happen on this earth!! That is the BEST kind of medicine, and we know how blessed we are. So all continued prayers are extremely welcome. God is so great!!

Talk soon.. and hey,... if you LOVE moving.. let us know!! (Just kidding, we are truly on top of this move).

Love to ALL,.. Mary Ann and Art

[Bahbah]

And you are moving in the middle of all of this. You two are amazing. You can be sure the prayers will keep on coming and no one will mind the generic letter. In fact, I forbid you to attempt a personal response to me.

[Dubya]

We are praying for you.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the update.

[r9etb]

God bless you both.

[HiJinx]

It is so good to hear that you are doing better...
And isn't it amazing how good it is to have someone right there to lean on when you need it? MaryAnn, you are one lucky lady.

We'll continue to pray for you to have the strength to make it through this. I know there's absolutely nothing I can do from Arizona to help you physically, but my family and I are here for you spiritually. Holler if you need us!

[firewalk]

Thanks for the update

[manna]

Thanks for the update.

[habs4ever]

Believe it or not, but there are two current NHL players who have Crohns and have suffered its affects for years, though had no idea what it was and what could be so debilitating.They are Shayne Corson of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Theo Fleury of Chicago, and considering how much food energy they require to play the sport, they have been able to find a diet that minimizes the stresses on their systems.It is not penal sentence anymore to have Crohns, and if you do a Google search on actor Terence Stamp, you'll discover he has a complete wheat intolerance and decided to create his own line of foods for those like him.It has been quite successful.You can manage this, though flareups will occur.If you leave Arkansas, Clinton heartburn will not follow you ;-)

Get well, and continued good spirits :-)

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for the update! Prayers continue! Hugs!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Good to hear from you. I can't imagine what you've gone through. You mentioned that ulcerative colitis and I had when I was 22 years old and that was the sickest I have ever been. But I don't think it's anything like what's going on with you.

I am sure pulling for you, my FRiend ! Hang in there.

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[octobersky]

Thank you for the update! I hope all goes well with the move and that the meds and special diet help with the healing process.

[BraveMan]

I understand completely the dread of moving . . .

When we relocated, LostThread and I had to move, among many other things, a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline Sportmaster in the middle of a frame-off restoration. It required three trips with a 40' truck and 25' trailer just to move the car parts. Frame, axles, engine, transmission and other bits on one trip, body tub, fenders, hood, trunk and grille on the second trip, and several marked and unmarked boxes on the third.

I never did get the thing back together. We ultimately ended up selling the car, still in pieces, about a year later to someone restoring a similar model. I can't recall ever feeling so defeated by a project. . .

Not too long after that, we happened upon a much nicer DeSoto, which we have to this day. I've since promised LostThread I would not take this one apart! Cars are much easier to move with wheels under them . . .

We'll hold you in our thoughts and prayers. Godspeed!

[GailA]

Father Lord please keep our friend in your hand and heal completely.

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks for the update. Whatever you do, don't get depressed. It can lead to a downward spiral.

I'll continue to keep you and Art in my prayers.

[.30Carbine]

We are repeating the Colonoscopy on the 20th of Feb.

That's my sister's birthday!

It will be easy to remember to pray for you that day - my big sister was a pain in my [colon] for years! (;

[xJones]

Continuing prayers for your full recovery!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the update. My prayers are with you, Mary Ann. May God protect you.

[OldFriend]

SUPER STRENGTH PRAYERS ON THE WAY!!!

[dixiechick2000]

Bless your heart. You have really had a time of it and, to top things off, moving. You bet...prayers are on their way!

I hope your health problems are resolved very soon.

Moving is always a nightmare! But, at least it's a temporary nightmare...;o)

[etabeta]

don't ever think that our prayers won't continue...we pray every day for your recovery, keep the faith. Sincerely, etabeta