Leah Turton

I am thrilled to have you here! 

Part One - My introduction to Crohn's disease!

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 16 years ago and like others with this condition, I have had a few bumps in the road during my journey. 

It took two months of excruciating pain, daily GP visits, blood tests, numerous scans etc, being turned away from A&E with period pain on multiple occasions and a visit to a private specialist to finally get admitted into the hospital for review. 

It was discovered that I had Crohn's disease and they commenced treatment with a cytotoxic drug called mercaptopurine, which was used to treat leukemia and prednisone or steroid. ? - I was discharged and sent home to learn about this condition. I was told there were no restrictions on what I ate or drank, so I continued as normal. ?

The first 4-6 weeks went according to plan, but then I started to lose my appetite, lost a lot more weight, was in a lot of pain and my bowel motions had changed. It was an effort to shower myself. 

I went to the hospital where they did some X-rays and it was discovered that I had a few blockages and waited most of the day to be admitted. I had my first bowel prep for a colonoscopy. That test and a CT scan confirmed that I had a massive abscess in the sphincter valve between my small and large bowel. It covered my right ovary and my bowels were wrapped up in it. ? - I waited a week to hear what the verdict would be. I was on pain relief and a fluid diet. I ended up having my first massive bowel resection and a loop ileostomy to allow the area to have time to heal and recover. The surgery was so risky that my partner at the time was invited to come down to the theatre to say goodbye. - This was all so new and so sudden. The surgery was 10 hours long. The day after I was made to sit up, out of bed without any warning and walk to the shower, where I had to shower myself. - This was the most pain I have ever been through, and I can still feel it today. - Sadly, I compare everything I go through to that, so I am ok if it doesn't get that bad. 

I had issues with my ostomy throughout the whole time that I had it. I was made to feel ashamed of it and was disappointed that I had such extreme results in such a short period. - I had not learned much about my condition by this stage and until the past 6 years, I have been ashamed of my condition.

Thank you for your time. Love and Light! 

Leah XO