TITLE: My First Diary Post - Happy to Join You!
AUTHOR: Cheryl
DATE: 10/5/2004 04:48:25 AM
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<em>“Hi Cheryl, how are you?”

“Good, how are you?”
</em>
Ha ha ha.  I say that so many times a day but it’s definitely not the truth most of the time.

It should be “<em>Hi Cheryl, how are you</em>?”......

.....And my response “<em>kind of cruddy actually.  The pain in my joints is exceptionally bad today, I have a migraine and really bad cramps from my Crohns.</em>”

In reality though I find that just saying “good” is much easier and what people want to hear as a response.

So let me fill you in on me before I start my diary.  I am 40 years old, work as an office manager, am married with no children (but have a stepdaughter) and I own 2 beautiful rescued greyhounds and a kitty.

Medically I am basically a mess.  I started getting periods very young and they were severe even at the time.  It wasn’t until I was 21 that I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis.  I had a complete hysterectomy at 28.  I have been getting migraines since I was about 18 and the severity fluctuates with hormones, age etc.  I was diagnosed with Crohns disease about 4 years ago – so I can add that to my list.  Joint pain and stomach distress are my major issues right now.  The joint pain is so bad that I take a maintenance dose of Lortab, and have made an appointment with a rheumatologist (oh goody, a new doctor) J  Here is the short list of my usual daily joy, as I call it:

Joint pain (hips and knees)
Migraines
Cramping/gas/diarrhea
Allergies
Neck and back pain
Depression issues

From what I understand, autoimmune disorders are quite common in women with endo.  I have been working as a volunteer for the Endometriosis Association for a few years now and that has been such a help to me, as well as making me feel better by helping others.

So that’s me in a nutshell. I’m actually going on my first vacation in 6 years starting this Thursday, but when I get back I promise to add quite often to my diary.

 

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