Laughters the best medicine...

I’ve learned to laugh, for those who don’t know me, I’ve gone through the many ups and downs of having an IBD. I was diagnosed in January of 2007, and by May 31 of 2007, well, my life had changed. I had had 5 surgeries, spent my 19th birthday in the hospital, and had spent more time in a hospital in those 5 months then I had in my entire life. (That includes visiting people) But I laughed, I made jokes, and my family did as well. My mom spent 3 months with me, beside my bed, laughing and joking along with me. I think sometimes wondering where I came up with some of the things I would say.

I’ve learned however that I’ve become who I am today because of my IBD. It doesn’t stop me from doing what I want to do, it doesn’t intimidate me, and it hasn’t molded me in any way. It has however made me stronger, made me more determined, and shown me just how lucky I am to have the friends and family I have.

I went in this summer for my sixth surgery, and by now I have a good relationship with my surgeons, I asked her, just minutes before my surgery if she could do me a favor. I got some funny looks from her, as I was calm, and very serious as I looked at her and said “If you’re going to cut me open again, can you at least make a design out of my scar?” She just laughed, got up and walked away. But it’s not just myself who laughs, my family laughs along with me, and I truly learned that after my surgery, as my three sisters sent me a Candy Bouquet, with a card reading “Dear Colleen; We hope you like you’re new hole”. I couldn’t stop laughing, and I now keep that card in my wallet!

I think laughter has been my counselor, my best friend, and my stress reliever. I have found ways of making myself laugh; I have found ways of cheering myself up. I can now look back at almost anything I’ve gone through and laugh about it, even public accidents! I think I’ll do anything to ensure that I stay on top of my disease, to ensure that I’m in charge, and laughter has been the best way so far!

“I have Crohn’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease does NOT have me!”
-Colleen Lynn