Archive for the ‘Advice’ Category

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Personal Hygiene and Preventing the Spread of Germs

May 18, 2010

With my Crohn’s disease, I have become very immuno-compromised. I often am battling infections because I have such a low resistance. I am very careful in trying to prevent myself from getting infection. I make a strong effort to stay very clean and avoid coming in contact with germs. I practice a lot of ways to keep myself healthy. These are tips on ways to keep yourself healthy by not transferring bacteria through personal hygiene practices. If you have any tips that you would like to share, Please leave a comment or Email me at: Nadia@UCVlog.com
“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” ~Jim Ryun
~Nadia

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Determined to Fight After Surgery

March 19, 2010

Hey everybody, new video describing my determination to fight for my health after surgery. You’ve seen me sign off all my posts as “Keep fighting” before. And there’s a reason. You can’t just passively accept your disease and hope that things will get better in the future. You must take responsibility for your health and do whatever you can to get your health back on track. Hopefully there are others in your life helping you through this struggle, but you are the one who ultimately lives with your disease.

Keep fighting,
~Dennis

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We Are Not Alone

March 13, 2010

When you’re struggling with Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s, or IBD, there are many stages where you feel alone and that nobody understands how difficult this struggle is. But there is an entire community here where we all understand each other. We all have our own story, our own struggle, but we can communicate with others and share that struggle so none of us have to feel so alone. Connecting with others going through a similar experience is a great source of support. We do understand each other. Our specific details may be different, but overall, everybody hits those rough patches and our battle continues to fight this disease together is the same. If you want to share a time you felt alone, please comment or send me an email at Nadia@UCVlog.com with your story.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~Helen Keller

~Nadia

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FAQ #2 Other Health Issues

February 13, 2010

Ever since I was a small child, I strugged with health issues. Many of my issues are auto-immune. Often times, people struggling with IBD can have other issues with their health. I’m no exception. An autoimmune disorder is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. There is no answer to why my body seems to attack itself or why I continue to have so many issues. But after so many years I have learned to accept it. My body reacts differently than others. If you have any other auto immune issues or other problems connected to Crohn’s or Colitis, and you’d like to share, feel free to comment or email me at Nadia@UCVlog.com

REMINDER: Don’t forget to send your new/unused ostomy supplies to help Haiti!! Click the Donation Link to learn more!

“A wise man is one who can live in peace with the things he can not change.” ~Unknown

~Nadia

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FAQ With Nadia #1 Diet and IBD

February 6, 2010

When suffering from Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis, or any other IBD related illness, diet becomes a key component in trying to lessen the symptoms. Each individual can find a diet that may work. Others, like myself, cannot find a diet that will help completely. I tried numerous diets and although they offered relief, it was only temporary as my disease was too progressive for diet to impact me significantly. One that was semi-successful for me was the SCD diet. It restricts the use of complex carbohydrates, and it eliminates refined sugar, gluten, and starch. VERY STRICT! There are various cook books available with a wide variety of foods that stay within the confines of this diet.  Surprisingly it was yummy! What was your diet like before, during, and after surgery? My video covers all three aspects. If you would like to share what diet works best for you, leave me a comment!!

“Laughter is brightest where food is best.”
~ Irish Proverb

~Nadia

 

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Be Proactive with Your Health

March 4, 2009

Living with colitis is a major health issue. It’s not like one-time health problems where you go into the hospital, get fixed up, leave, and never return, like having a broken arm or getting a flu shot. No, colitis is something you live with your entire life and the conditions of your colitis can fluctuate greatly from remission to flare up and back again.

Because you are the one that has to live with your colitis, you are the one who has to take care of yourself. The doctors and nurses will help you, but only when you ask for help. Ultimately, you are the one who makes the decisions about your treatment. Nobody else can manage your colitis for you.

Keep fighting,
~Dennis

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Message to the Long Sufferers

October 17, 2008

In the short time since I’ve started this vlog, I’ve been in contact with so many people who have ulcerative colitis. People who have had surgery years ago, people who recently had surgery, and people who’ve had the disease for years. And most people’s stories, it seems, follow a similar tale. The person is diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. They have a few problems and muddle through it for a few years. Then the disease gets worse and medicine begins to fail them. They suffer with the disease in a near constant flare up for several years, finding relief nowhere. This video is for them.

Keep fighting,

~Dennis

Question: How much suffering will you put up with before having surgery? What is your breaking point? Please leave a comment!