BLOGIVERSARY & tales of hope

March 12th 2014 I wrote a blog post in which I said 'We have a long way to go until we reach the end of 2014, let's be able to say that 2014 was the year we all stood together, strong and united and can be able to say...

"2014 was the year we all discussed Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis"

My golly what a year it has been!! If you'd like to read that previous post you can do so by clicking here.
What a wonderful year for IBD awareness! So with that said here are only a few of the magnificent fundraisers and campaigns that have been launched this year alone in the battle to raise the much needed awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

February

To find out more about Crewing for Crohn's see> http://www.crewingforcrohns.org.uk

March

To read more about the fantastic United for Colitis charity visit> http://www.unitedforcolitis.co.uk

March

Keep up to date with all the latest campaign information at> www.getyourbellyout.co.uk

June 

I don't believe Bethany has a website but she can be found via Twitter> @BethyTownsend

June

For all the latest on Blake see> http://www.blakebeckford.co.uk

October/November

Get Your Full Course can be found via> http://www.getyourfullcourse.com

Oh one more thing.....

ITS MY ONE YEAR BLOGIVERSARY!!!! Wooohooo!! I lasted a whole year in this blogging game and I have loved every minute of it. Granted I have been a little sidetracked by the #GetYourBellyOut campaign and all the other social media sites I do my best to keep up with but I'm still here; going strong! I wanted to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has stopped by my blog, whether this be your first visit here or your 100th; my blog would mean nothing at all without the support of my blog readers. Granted there have been times when I wondered if anyone was even reading my content and days when it's felt like I am talking to myself. All it takes is one little comment or one heartfelt email that lets me know that someone has found comfort from one of my posts to make all the hard work I put into my blog worthwhile. So I hope you will all join me in raising up a cup of decaff tea to me and my humble Colitis and ME blog :D A whole 365 days young! Mm hmm honey Xx


As you can see it's been a phenomenal year of awareness raising. There have of course been many other wonderful and inspiring campaigns launched within the last year alongside some great new IBD advocates all working hard at raising awareness of both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Though we must pay thanks to those who were there long before us carving out the stepping stones that allowed such campaigns to have the strong backing that they deserve. A huge WELL DONE to ALL who took up a fundraising challenge this year. I know I personally would like to say a huge thank you to all those who have put themselves on the line and to those willing to stand up and have their stories heard as we aim to raise awareness and understanding of both Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. THANK YOU to those who lead the way and set the standard of great IBD awareness.

Fatigue in IBD> Here we go again...

Nope I don't mean in the sense of 'here she goes again with another one of her ranting blog posts' although I'm sure that is rather apt to the topic I am referring to. The 'oh here we go again' argument. Yep...you know the one!

It's the ever exhausting explanation to the rest of the world as to why you're such a lazy bag of bones. YES, my car battery has run flat again because it's been THAT long since I mustered the strength to go out in it last. NO, I haven't dragged my carcass off the sofa to relocate that pile of ironing...the one that is just as happy sitting out in the open getting a bit of fresh air as it would be stuffed away in the wardrobe. YES, I am once again being a really lousy friend because I would rather spend the day in my pajamas YET AGAIN as I simply don't have the energy to paint on a happy face in order to entertain you my lordship. 'oh you're still sick' YES!!! YES I AM.

I'm sure I am not the only one who is under pressure from those who live in the same household, whether that be your partners, parents or room mates. If you're independent and live in the luxury of your own space I suppose you get the nagging from people complaining that you never visit them.
Anyone else fed up of having to justify your actions due to chronic fatigue, your want for a bit of peace and quiet or the pure 'leave me alone-ness'?? Anyone? Hmm?? Anyone else?

'Until now, patients with severe IBD Fatigue have struggled to overcome this debilitating, invisible symptom. We know that three quarters of people experience fatigue during a disease flare-up, but we also know that 40-48% of patients in remission continue to suffer badly with fatigue'. - Professor Christine Norton, of King’s College London Click here to read more.

Crohn's and Colitis UK have a microwebsite all about 'Fatigue in IBD' which you should all totally take a look at by clicking here. They have also devised a 'fatigue rating scale for IBD' so go check that out also if you can muster the strength.

It seems that no amount of 'I'm exhausted' 'I don't feel great today' or any amount of explaining dampens down peoples attempts to drive me around the bend. Maybe people think I enjoy explain myself time and time again? 'Nope, sorry I'm unable to attend' 'Nope, I missed that outing also' 'Yes I am spending the day in my pajamas once again'. 

I've made no secret of my love of pajama days...I even wrote it down for you all in a previous blog post. To read 'pajama day turned into pajama week' then click here. I also wrote about when 'my get up and go, got up and went' which you can read by clicking here.

Whether it be down to the fact that IBD is getting the better of me, I'm not 'applying myself' or I've turned into a complete and utter grump I am tired, run down, fatigued, kapooped, warn out, drained, sleepy, beat, flagging, empty, burnt out, dog-tired, done in, drowsy, spent, whacked, shattered, exhausted...I am exhausted!!