Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis, the beginning to a journey that we know all too well in The Thome Home.
To say I was speechless is a total understatement.
It started back in February, at least the height of the storm. Three long months followed of sickness. Like, around the clock, sun up till sun down. Waking in the middle of the night to be sick for hours on end. All to wake up and muster enough energy to hold together work, coaching hockey, family life and day to day tasks.
Quite honestly, I have no clue how he kept it all together looking back.
I knew and understood the depths of just how sick he was. It may have fooled others around him, because he would put on the bravest, most composed face he could in gatherings. Make jokes about how he was feeling, to try to lighten the subject – in hopes to not be asked too many questions in return.
I however, was more worried as each day past. With each test, and false lead as to what may be going on with him. Every night hearing him jump out of bed. Each pound lost. The more gray he appeared. My heart sunk, it all seemed far too familiar.
“Like father, like son” the first words said as the gastroentronologist pulled back the curtain.
Dan was still loopy and fading in and out of twilight. The doctor jumped right into the next steps to be taken. I hardly had time to let the words sink in before the doctor jumped straight to the plan of action for steroids and medication. Before we could even digest what we were just told, Dan was coming too and being prepped to leave.
I held back tears the entire car ride home. Part of me was excessively relieved. It could have been way worse, that I know. The other half of me was already anxious and exhausted thinking about the uphill battle that lies ahead to get him healthy again. It was probably the quietest 30 minute car ride home we’ve ever had together.
It has been a few months since his diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis.
Months of an extreme amount of steroids and prescriptions to try to heal his gut. It will be a process, a process we are excessively familiar with seeing Brody (now 10) was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis at the age of five. You can read all about his journey HERE, HERE + HERE. It was a time full of uncertainty and fear for our family, years of hospital stays and Brody missing so many days of school.
Somehow, Dan managed to keep it all together for work, and carried himself and our family financially through the worst months prior to his diagnosis.
That still amazes me.
He was so weak, so so sick, and still managing to met and exceed his performance at work. I am still amazed at how he manages to keep it all together, when I know deep down all he wants to do is sit and rest. He is still on a ton of steroids and prescriptions to attempt to treat his U.C. Unfortunately he’s had to extend the steroids even longer because they are not working to the degree his doctor would like to see.
After all is said and done, his journey with U.C. is just beginning. But that sweet man I married is a total bad ass (pun intended) so I know he’ll get through this.