Getting diagnosed with Crohn's and getting help
My name is Adina Walters. I am a mother, a wife and I am one of 1.4 million people that suffers from Crohn's disease.
Suffering many years with abdominal discomfort/constipation, I decided to seek medical attention. Between numerous visits to doctors and hospitals, enduring many tests, including a colonoscopy, I was consistently being told my abdominal pain was all in my head, given meds and sent on my way.
I was so blessed to have such a solid support group with my three kids and an amazing finance, Jerry. They never let me feel defeated, helped me to remain positive and continued to lift me daily.
On one of my so-called "good days" Jerry and I took the kids to a festival for a night of fun. Unfortunately, it wasn't long into our night that I suddenly was overcome with horrific stomach pains and was rushed to our hospital, where I was admitted for 10 days, enduring numerous tests, procedures, and was told many different opinions.
Due to the fact my condition wasn't improving, it was in my best interest to be transferred to another hospital. I was admitted into a Chicago hospital and it was there I met the one doctor who finally wanted to get answers for us. The doctor we met was the miracle my family was searching for.
To find the one doctor who believed it was indeed not in my head and was dedicated to finding a correct diagnosis was so uplifting.
My doctor requested to run a few additional tests on me and told me to remain patient. Shortly afterward, I was released and was told to call her office for a follow-up the upcoming Friday. With a sense of urgency, the doctor called us at home and requested an appointment earlier to discuss her findings. Our hearts sank, as she firmly said, "You are very sick with Crohn's."
The next several years were filled with back-to-back hospital stays, surgeries, medications, depression and anxiety.
In 2008 I had 18 inpatient stays and couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel. In 2009 I was on my fourth drug to fight the Crohn's, and it was around that time we also started to find out that I was having symptoms of other medical conditions. After enduring more rounds of tests, we officially found out that I had lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Adding that diagnosis with Crohn's was just devastating.
Jerry and I married on May 19, 2012, on Crohn's Awareness Day. We picked that day because we wanted to share that special day with our friends and family and celebrate.
This year, I will be walking in the Take Steps walks on May 30 and 31 in Chicago and Naperville. CCFA's national walk is the nation's largest event dedicated to finding cures for digestive diseases. It is a casual 2- to 3-mile stroll to raise money for crucial research, bringing us closer to a future free from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Your donation will help support local patient programs, as well as important research projects.
This cause is very important to me. In addition to donating, you can join me at the event. There will be food, music and family activities. The more money we raise, the closer we will be to making life more manageable for patients who live with these diseases every day.