Happy Birthy Shirley (starfire)

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:52 pm

Happy Birthday Shirley!

:hapbirth:

I hope that you are truly enjoying this special day.

:happybirthdayrotatingballoons:

Love,
Tex

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:42 am

Happy Birthday to Yet Another Oldtimer Here!
Hope you have a relaxing day with some gluten-free cake! And some ice cream, too, if you want. I have always been so envious because you are not dairy-sensitive. How lucky is that????? It has been a pleasure knowing you for all of these years on the board!

:manyanimalscheering:

Lots of love,

Polly

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:56 am

Hi Shirley,

:bouqueofpinkroses:

Best wishes for a wonderful, special birthday, and good health and lots of happiness all year long.

Love and hugs,
Kari

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:29 am

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:08 pm

Happy Birthday, Shirley! I hope you had a wonderful celebration.

:bigbirthday:

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 1:15 pm

Happy Birthday Shirley.

I second what Polly has said about how wonderful to have a friend on this board for so many years. You have always given me the zeal to go forward since you have such determination.

May your day be the best and say hi to Mom!

Love, Maggie

:birthdaycakecandles:

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:11 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIRLEY!!!

I was browsing the old Microscopitis.org website archives last night and came across this posting by you. I thought it would bring back old memories and remind us all how far you (and we) have come. I hope you don't mind my sharing it here:

Shirley wrote:Posted: 18-Jun-04 22:53
Boy, after reading some of the histories here I feel extremely fortunate so far.

Someone (don't remember who) talked about waking up in the middle of their colonoscopy and the awful pain. I know of what you speak. It depends on the Dr. - believe me!! I had my first one (not because of this problem) in late Jan. of 2004. It was a nightmare. A doctor has NEVER hurt me more and I cannot even contemplate going back to that doctor. My next colonoscopy was a breeze. Slept like a baby all the way through and don't remember a thing.

I don't have a very extensive history yet. I may have had some symptoms prior to April 30, 2004 but if I did I pretty much ignored or discounted them. I tend to do that unless they stick around and become bothersome. I remember April 30, 2004 because my Sister flew in May 1, 2004 and I had been up ALL NIGHT with nausea, dry heaves and diarrhea which continued into the next day (the D.). I recovered though so didn't think too much of it.

Almost 2 weeks later I suddenly became extremely ill in the car (we were on our way to get groceries, etc.). We had eaten lunch about 1 1/2 hours earlier. My husband had to stop on the 4 lane highway to let me throw up and again as soon as we exited the highway. Luckily, a Guthrie Clinic van was going by as I hung onto a post beside the road and tried to throw up my toenails. The driver stopped and told my husband to get me to emergency and she was calling ahead to alert them. Well, after throwing up all over the emergency area, 3 CT Scans, blood work, X-rays, and I don't remember what else I was told that I must have food poisoning. They told me to expect D. and they were keeping in the hospital overnight for observation. The D. started before they got me out of the emergency room and I'm very, very sure they wish they had been speedier about that!!!! While I was there they gave me 3 bags of IV for dehydration. That is an experience I will NEVER forget, and I hope it's never repeated.
I went home the next morning and expected to be fine by the next day or so. The attack happened on a Tuesday.

The following Thursday night I again was up all night with nausea, dry heaves & D. The same thing happened again on Sunday. On Tuesday, I saw my GP. She took blood and stool samples. All came back negative. She gave me suppositories & pills for nausea which sometimes helped and sometimes didn't. I continued to have the attacks. I called and told her I wanted to see a GI and to please set it up. I even told her who I wanted to see and she set me up. I had the consultation and he wanted to do the colonoscopy and upper GI. Unfortunately, the next opening was a month away. I continued to have the attacks so I called and begged to get in earlier. They had a cancellation and did get me in rather soon. Of course, the visual exam was normal but he did take biopsies and he told me what he was looking for so I started researching on the "net" and learned about the disease and found this site. I joined before I even had a DX. I just had a feeling I had MC. I still don't know if I have CC or LC because I was supposed to see the Nurse Practicioner who works with my GI a week after the colonoscopy but I was overanxious and called before then. My tests were back and she gave me the DX over the phone and put me on Prednisone and Asacol. Prednisone is supposed to be short term (10 days at 20 mg, 10 days at 15 mg, etc, etc. cutting it 5 mg every 10 days.) The Asacol - I don't know. Nothing was said about how long I'd be on that. I take 2 pills 3 times a day. 400 mg each.

During this time my D. gradually became continual and it was nearly always "explosive".

For such a short history, I sure have written a lot. I think I have recorded it in such detail as much for myself as anyone else.

Anyway, I have been on the meds now for 4 days and I have been on the Gluten Free Diet for 3 days. I have gone 2 nights now without getting up with nausea or D. What a relief. I have D during the morning hours but not in the afternoon or night. Have no idea why - just grateful.

I have been so fortunate to get a diagnosis so quickly. I am very, very grateful. I see the Nurse Practicioner on July 6 now and IF I feel I am under control I plan to drive to Ga., Pick up my Mother, and Take her to Florida. We had planned this trip for mid May but I got sick so we postponed it. I hope we can do it soon

starfire Posted: 15-Aug-04 16:11

I'm not too good about updating..........

I couldn't come off the Prednisone the first time around. Got down to 10 mg and started having body aches and low grade fever. NP put me back up to 20 mg. Symptoms went away quickly.
(I did make the trip to Ga./Fl. sometime after I went back up to 20 mg)

This round I got down to 5 mg but on the 3rd day I had to up it again. D was returning, body aches, low grade fever. Back up to 20 mg. Pred.

Symptoms were a bit harder to get rid of but I seemed to be responding well for a couple of days. Then my stool started getting softer and softer (it was quite soft to start with). I have been very close to D all week. Today I just don't feel well and I had 99.2 fever this AM. I probably should have called the Dr. office. NP told me someone is on call on weekends. Anyway, I seemed to start feeling better this afternoon so I didn't. Perhaps I'll call tomorrow.

Thats it for now. I think I should have listened when some of the members advised me not to go on the Prednisone. Live and learn.

I hope today was a much better day than you had seven years ago. I love reading your postings on the board and miss you when you've been unable to post.

Gloria

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 3:49 pm

Oh My Gosh, Gloria!! I posted that so long ago that I hardly remembered it. Read the whole thing again. I really am bad about updating, aren't I? I guess I just want to forget the "bad".

Thank you all so much for all the good wishes and memories. I have loved being a part of this community and appreciate you all so very much. I know I don't post a lot but I try to keep up to some degree. I'm still not on the computer as much as I was for several years.

Have had a calm, quiet day. No problem.

Got a few cards and a couple phone calls. I'll probably have that ice cream later tonight, Polly, and I don't blame you one bit for being jealous. I put off being tested for a long time because I was afraid it would come back saying "dairy". I could give up most dairy just fine except for cheese and I know you feel the same way about cheese. I wish you could have some.

Maggie, I can't imagine anyone with more determination than you, Gloria, Polly, Tex...... etc., etc., etc. I have always felt very lacking in determination and will power. You are all inspiring and I admire all of you so much. Everyone here is wonderful and I'm so very glad to be involved. I can't imagine how I would have survived without all of you. I wish I could be of more help to all our new members. I sure don't feel very "rare" anymore (referring to the disease being called rare just a few years ago).

Well, sorry about rambling on.........

Thank you all so much.

Love, Shirley

explosive · Post by **explosive** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:21 pm

Happy Birthday! Hope you have a great day.

:manynanas:

Sharon

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:54 pm

Happy Birthday, Shirley!!!

harma · Post by **harma** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 3:17 am

I know a day too late but anyway congratulations and I hope you had a nice day yesterday.

harma

hazel · Post by **hazel** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 2:27 pm

2 U

dear Shirley
:bigbirthday:

2 U

ps. Sorry I'm late!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:12 pm

Shirley

hope you are having a wonderful birthday

good health and happiness for this week and for the year ahead

take care

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:40 pm

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday Dear Shirley...
Happy Birthday to you..........
And Many More!.....

:happybirthday:

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:11 pm

Happy birthday , my gene twin Shirley!
:animatedhappybirthday:

Linda

MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Happy Birthy Shirley (starfire)

Happy Birthy Shirley (starfire)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Shirley!