Marnel Thomas

I'm living fearlessly this September. Will you support me?

October 2024 I started eating rock salt by the hands full - even in the middle of the night. Didn’t sleep well, never truly felt hungry, and had severe headaches.  After many months of dismissing these signs and with my mum encouraging me to seek medical advice, I finally made an appointment with my GP. 

She did a basic neurological test and all was fine. She sent me for blood tests and the results came back as my iron being undetectable in my blood. She got me in for an iron infusion a couple of days after.

The days after the infusion I felt increasingly better - more energy, less brain fog and for the first time in a long time I was enjoying food again. Bonus was I didn’t nap everyday! 

When I did my follow up blood test about 4 weeks later, my iron levels had once again dropped to unacceptable levels. 

My GP referred me for an endoscopy and colonoscopy, which revealed some narrowing in my duodenum and a ring of inflammation in my oesophagus. It explained the random bouts of difficultly with swallowing, especially those giant iron tablets. It explained the intermittent abdominal pain I was experiencing for a few years, which I thought was a food intolerance of some sort. I had been pushing the pain aside for a long time and lived of buscopan and Panadol. 

From there I got referred to have an MRI done in April. I had an appointment with the gastroenterologist to receive my results. 

I knew something wasn’t quite right, but I blamed all those symptoms and being generally unwell on having four pregnancies and breastfeeding and my body just being tired and worn out. Growing, feeding and raising these 4 littles isn’t always smooth. 

On the 15th of May 2024, my gastroenterologist called me into her office as asked how I was. She kept talking about all these symptoms of Crohn’s. How it is generally managed, the medication and exactly what Crohn’s is. 

A few sentences in it occurred to me, she was talking to me about me. I have Crohn’s. 

It was moment where time stood still. She was talking to me about me, MY Crohn’s diagnosis. I started to tearing up and she’s handed me tissues. I said ‘these are tears of joy!’. She looked at me puzzled, but they genuinely were of joy! After many years of pain, low iron, headaches, always NEEDING to know where the closest toilet is and extreme levels of lethargy, I had answers. I felt so validated. 

Things are not nearly sorted and or under control with my Crohn’s management. In fact I’ve been hospitalised for the first time in my life (other than having my babies) for a flare up a few months ago. I have changed steroids recently and that hasn’t quite given me the relief I have hoped for, just yet. My journey and story is continuing. 

Some illnesses are invisible and all seems fine. These medications can make you feel yucky, angry and so tired. If you see or know someone who has an invisible illness, show grace and love and hold them during this time. You never know what path someone is walking. 

Crohn’s is just a small part of me, and I am strong and capable. I want to do the Fearless Challenge and show my kids that even when we aren’t feeling our best it’s still good to move. I am so thankful for my darling and husband my beautiful kids, my family, in laws and friends who have supported and cared for me. 

I’m taking on the Live Fearless Challenge this September to raise awareness and funds for the almost 180,000 Australians living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

IBD is one of the most misunderstood chronic health conditions. Yet people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are ‘frequent flyers’ of the hospital system. It strips away income, disrupts education, work, relationships and travel, and can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health.

That’s why I’m getting active this September and aiming to complete 150km. Every kilometre is for the thousands of people living with IBD who face this in silence.

Consider supporting me as I take on the LFC! Your donation will help fund research, patient support, education and advocacy - because no one should have to manage this disease on their own.