On Screen:

Wondering how others reacted to their Crohn’s diagnosis?
We’ve Been There

On Screen:

Melissa
Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease Patient

Melissa:
I remember the day that they diagnosed me...and the doctor had told my mother, who was there at my side, and I had no idea. I’d never heard of Crohn’s disease before. Ever. And my mom was crying...and I took it upon myself to kind of educate myself and learn a little bit more about it, to understand it, so I knew what was going on inside of my body.

On Screen:

Cathy
Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease Patient

Cathy:
My doctor told me that I had Crohn’s. Ahh, it was devastating because...I think I knew the risks of having Crohn’s disease. Umm. My limitations.

Interviewer (from off screen):
Did your doctor explain Crohn’s or how it can be a progressive disease?

Cathy:
Yes, when my doctor told me that I had Crohn’s disease they said it’s chronic.

On Screen:

Mark
Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease Patient

Mark:
Over time, I did notice my Crohn’s was progressing..

On Screen:

Sharyn
Moderate to Severe Crohn’s Disease Patient

Sharyn:
He referred to it as umm, an, inflammatory bowel disease. So, when my doctor explained to me what the inflammatory bowel disease was, and the Crohn’s and why he said this is, something you need to take care of because it can really be detrimental long term, he made the analogy of it being like tires. He said, “you know, this is a journey, you’re going on a road trip for life, and you want to have tires with treads.” You don’t want your treads to be worn off your car. You want to have the most stable drive possible to be able to travel...so that really helped me understand what was going on, on the inside of my body.

Interviewer (from off screen):
Is there any advice you would give to others who are just starting to process their Crohn’s diagnosis?

Mark:
I think the first thing would be do not procrastinate when you start seeing some symptoms...my advice would be ask questions, make sure you’re talking to your doctor, be proactive about things. Seek information.

Sharyn:
And you have to take this very seriously because if you don’t get it under control, umm...there are potential ramifications, side effects, long-term things you’re going to have to live with.

Cathy:
Doing your research, speaking with your physicians, having the love and support of your family and friends ahh...makes a big difference in the journey.

On Screen:

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