#GetYourBellyOut

IBDers are my heart. I have so much compassion for those who have been suffering as I have. It is therefore important to me to help spread the word and tell others about IBDs. What better time to do it than now? 

There is currently a campaign going on in the IBD community. It's called #GetYourBellyOut and it started out on Twitter. A girl named Sahara posted a photo of her belly to help raise awareness and funds for Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. I kept seeing all these photos of people's bellies. Some of them had been "mutilated" by a disease that could have killed them had it not been for surgery. Some of them, like mine, were scar-less. Not to say that those scar-less people haven't been fighting diseases as well... but perhaps theirs had not reached that crucial point of surgery. 

I started Colitis Ninja just weeks ago in an attempt to spread the word about this disease. Not only did I want to help spread the word, I wanted all the other IBD fighters out there to know that they are not alone. When I started Colitis Ninja, I was doing well on Simponi and slowly tapering off of the dreaded Prednisone. Well, this past Sunday, after successfully tapering down to 10mg of Prednisone (AGAIN), my UC decided to flare up with a vengeance. 

I called my doctor who informed me that my next option is surgery. Devastated, confused and scared, I accepted my fate and consulted with a surgeon. I scheduled my surgery for April 15th (four days after my sister's wedding). My Prednisone dose has been bumped back up to 40mg so that I can get through my sister's wedding... and then, I start the process of getting a j-pouch. I am still scared and not sure what to expect, but there you have it.

Guys, there are SO many people out there suffering from IBDs. Even if you cannot donate, PLEASE, help spread the word. Together, we can overcome our pain and suffering. Let others who are suffering know that they are not alone in this battle. Join me in getting your belly out!