So last Thursday I had my appointment with the Gastroenterologist who explained the results to me. She confirmed that the high level of calprotectin which signals intestinal inflammation, does indeed point to Crohn’s Disease, but she told me she’s not 100 percent convinced because my last two colonoscopies did not show anything other than mild gastritis. (I did remind her that my last colonoscopy did show intestinal inflammation, however she doesn’t have that test result because unfortunately I cannot find the lab report page that stated that.) However my calprotectin levels in 2022 were 16 as opposed to the level it is now of 162.
Soo, the only option is to have another dreaded colonoscopy done. I said I wasn’t going to have another done until I turn 50 but here were are…my third since 2019! Son of a biscuit!
I am anything but please, but when you get right down to it, what can I do? I want answers and after the doctor found the polyp in my esophagus, I want to see if I have one in my colon too. Also I want to see what condition my large intestine and colon are in. I am absolutely dreading the colon prep which SUCKS major Matzo Balls! It’s the one thing that many people detest about having to get a colonoscopy. Running to the bathroom sucks, but I’ll deal with that. The two things I’m most concerned with are the healing time from the colonoscopy (after the last one, I couldn’t exercise for two weeks because of the inflammation and pain) and wiping out my good bacteria with this cleanse.
Despite all of this, I have been keeping my promise to myself to take more walks during the week. Last week I was very active going to appointments, taking down the Christmas decorations, organizing my room, getting up more often from my desk during work hours etc…
Yesterday I kept up my promise despite feeling wiped out most of the day and I walked 1 mile (20 blocks) at night to get that blood flowing. After work today, I walked a 1 mile again and it felt amazing. The brisk air really calms that monkey mind and not having anything to do other than walk, I was able to think a bit more clearly.
For example, I’m not as worried about the effects of the colonoscopy, because I am preparing myself now. I have been eating yogurt almost every day and I’m going to keep taking walks, maybe adding more blocks to that mile to keep getting stronger, so I can give my body a chance to bounce back quicker than I have in the past and minimize any negative aspects of this procedure this time around.
One thing’s for sure, I am finally able to take advantage of the brisk air and cold weather that I love soo much. (35 degrees to 45 degrees only right now, anything colder the boogies start and my sinuses scream with pain! LOL
For now, this is all I can do until I get the results of the colonoscopy. If nothing definitive comes up however, the doctor said I would have to get an MRI. This has all hit my wallet hard. I have drained my savings with glasses, dentists, hospital visits, appointments (a little over $4000 now) and I have no idea if I will be able to afford that MRI if that time comes. But for now I will not worry about that as that is a problem for another day. For now I will do what I can do take care of my body and handle whatever comes next as best I can.
Until next time my phoenixes. Do the best you can, celebrate your small and big wins, prioritize your health, stay active and keep going!
Mind Body Synergylia 