Support System

               I am very lucky to have a support system of family and friends to be there and help me when I get sick.  This wasn't always the case.  My friendships from high school were the first casualty of my Crohn's disease.  Some people, especially teenagers, find it hard to stick around with someone who is very sick and doesn't completely understand what they themselves are going through.  My biggest support has been my parents.  They were there when I had no friends and no one else to turn to, and this was the case for a few years.  Today I have amazing friends that know about my disease and are there when it hits hard.  The strongest link in my support chain is my fiance.  He is there every day and sees what no one else does and is there to hear what I wouldn't be able to tell anyone else. 

               If you are fortunate enough to have a great support system, make sure they know how much you appreciate all of the late nights, insurance battles, doctor's appointments, tests, hospital stays, ER visits, prescription runs, picking up the slack during a bad flare, carrying us when we can walk no farther, helping us out of the tub, and putting up with us when we are on Prednisone.  This are just a sampling of what they do for us.  For those out there who do not have a support system, we are out there.  Reach out and we will find you.  We are on the net, on Facebook and Twitter.  Some of us even write a blog!  We are there for you to share in your lows and congratulate and praise your highs.  None of us are alone, or at least we don't have to be.  Another good idea is to ask your doctor about local support groups.  And,  I call on all of the rangers out there to be there for one another.  Even though this disease affects each and every one of us differently, we all will live with this disease until they find a cure.  Keep fightin' my fellow rangers.  Fight for those who do not have the strength to fight for themselves.  We will overcome.