Update, and a prayer request

I've mentioned in a couple of past posts how I've been having some "digestive issues" off & on since March. Well, my symptoms are getting more frequent, and worse. Well, sort of.

My family doctor put my on a prescription medication to control the symptoms until we can figure out what the cause is, but even with the medication (which I take as needed, so I don't even start until after the first... "episode") these episodes of illness are happening more frequently, and seem more severe. I can't imagine what they would be like without the medication.

Basically I'm sick for 2-3 days, then I'll have 3-5 days of feeling okay, then another 2-3 days of being sick.

And during these episodes eating anything makes me sick. I've literally run to the bathroom after eating a popsicle. A freakin' popsicle people. That was a bad day. (usually popsicles are my solace, as it makes me feel like I'm eating, but doesn't usually make me sick. usually)

When my ultrasound came back clear, my family doctor referred me to a gastroenterologist. I saw him a couple of weeks ago. After talking to me for a long time, asking me a ton of questions, inquiring about my family history & past medical history, and even having me call my mom from the exam room to ask her questions about my family history and my medical history as a child (he was definitly thorough), and doing a physical exam... he thinks he's narrowed it down to one of four possibilities:

- a severe bacterial infection of the digestive tract
- some condition I don't remember the name of, but you get after you have a virus (basically would mean that back in March I actually did have a virus, that resulted in this condition)
- Crohn's Disease
- Colon Cancer

The first three are based predominately on my symptoms, and a little bit on my past medical history.

The last one is based on my symptoms, combined with my family history. My maternal grandfather died from colon cancer, and several members of my family, on both sides, have a history of colon polyps. The GE said that considering my family history I really should have already been having colonoscopies regularly.

Hey - don't look at me. No one ever told me that before, and I always fill out my family history completely.
So next week I go in for some tests. They'll be knocking me out and simultaneously running two scopes: one two view my upper digestive tract, one to view my lower digestive tract (ie. my first colonoscopy). They'll also be taking multiple biopsies from various areas of my digestive system as well. And should they find any colon polyps those will be removed during the procedure.

So... why didn't I tell you right after my initila GE appt? (ie. why am I telling you now?)

For prayers.

The last two episodes I've had have been so... draining. And last night, as I was a prisoner in my bathroom yet again, instead of being able to go to bed like I wanted, I realized that I was being stupid. That I need help. That if I'm tired of being alone in this, then I need to ask to not be alone in this. That if I want prayers, I need to ask for them, I have to tell people what's going on.

 I had planned on waiting until we had the results of the tests to update you, especially because there's such a wide range of possibilities.
Bacterial infection? Take some antibiotics. Strong ones, sure. But get the right meds, you should be fine.
Cancer?... that's just a whole 'nother ball game.
And the other two in-between.

But I'm exhausted. I'm drained. I'm tired of nobody knowing. I'm tired of co-workers asking if I'm pregnant because I called in sick one morning, and then a day or so a week I'm running to the bathroom every 30-60 minutes, and have been missing work for multiple doctors' appointments over the past few months.
And, loyal readers, you know that just adds emotional insult to injury, right? Having to tell people that no, I am not in fact pregnant. And that invariably starts the when-are-you-guys-having-another-one, doesn't-FireGirl-need-a-little-brother-or-sister conversation.

Shoot me now. No wait. No time. I have to go to the bathroom again.

Anyway, I got tired of not telling people. I'm tired of no one knowing what's going on. I'm tired of being sick & tired and trying to hide it. I'm tired of being sick & tired and no one understanding, simply because I haven't shared. It's exhausting.

So, my dear readers, I am asking for your prayers. And if you're not the praying type, I'm asking for you to just know so that I can know you're out there wishing me well.

Thanks ya'll.

And I'll be sure to keep you updated.