Embarking on the usage of Remicade

Hey Everyone,

If you couldn't tell from the title, my husband and I have decided to give Remicade a chance at placing my Crohn's disease in remission, as I have been battling my symptoms for the past year and 11 months. So, it will be 2 years in July that I have been actively battling Crohn's with multiple trips to the hospital and different specialists.  My diagnosis was given in July of 2011, but numerous GI doctors after that time "are not impressed", as they say with the information provided to them through my symptoms, blood tests, stool tests, etc that I actually have Crohn's disease.  My initial GI doctor that diagnosed me is a world re-knowned GI physician that works with Johns Hopkins.  Now, just for clarification just because he works for and with Johns Hopkins that does mean that I automatically believe everything he says.  After much research of his background and independent projects he has initiated regarding GI diseases, along with his bedside manner, and unending dedication to my health and wellness, my family and I have decided that he is the GI doctor for us.  He is always available, and he has an AWESOME assistant that I can contact at any time, and she responds to my emails ASAP, usually within 10 minutes!

My symptoms have ranged from vomiting/diarrhea, nausea, migraines, achy joints, fever, extreme fatigue, abdominal pain, no appetite, weight loss, weight gain, rectal pain and pressure, bloody stools, etc.  My blood work has shown numerous things ranging from very low vitamin D, and higher than usual ASCA levels (which is usually indicative of Crohn's disease).  My biopsy showed Crohn's ileitis of the terminal ileum.  You would think that such a biopsy would be enough for other physicians to rely on for a diagnosis.  However, I went to a near by hospital for emergency care pertaining to my Crohn's disease, and the GI doctors on staff told my husband and I that I did not have Crohn's disease according to the blood work they had run during my visit.  They definitely did not take my word for it or the fact that my GI doctor from Hopkins had already diagnosed me!  This sent my husband and I fro a second opinion, and needless to say the second opinion doctor thought I had Crohn's disease from the information he was provided, but he wanted his pathologist to re-read my biopsy report...we never heard back from that GI doctor!

We re-entered the treatment conversation with my original GI doctor, and here we are...ready to begin Remicade treatment on the 10th of June!  I am very happy about our decision to try Remicade, as I have been suffering for almost 2 years now.  Yes, there are many dangerous side effects and adverse reactions, but these days all medications come with these issues.  However, Remicade and other TNF drugs have been linked to a deadly Lymphoma.  This deadly Lymphoma has been seen in a some children, and elderly that have received TNFs.  We are a point in my illness where we have to weigh our options, and to us my quality of life is more important than my quantity of life, if and when we have to choose.  I will be posting after my first infusion, and through out my journey with Crohn's disease.  I want to continue to remind everyone that Crohn's is a chronic disease, but it does not define you.  the manner in which you combat the illness and your daily stressors defines you ;)

Health and Wealth,
ModelMomMD

Summer's Eve Feminine Products

Ever had that moment where you needed to clean-up fast, but the only thing you had access to was hard toilet paper?  In your mind you are thinking:

• "This toilet paper is not going to cut it"
• "I'm not going to be able to get everything off with this"
• "I need something wet, like NOW"
• "The smell is still going to be there"

Well ladies, I have been using Summer's Eve cleansing wipes for over five years, and I absolutely love them!  Now, just remember everything in moderation.  You don't want to over-due the usage of the wipes as the main purpose of the wipes are to take away smell causing bacteria.  However, some of that smell causing bacteria is needed in order to keep the normal flora of bacteria in our vaginal area at an equilibrium.  For example, cleaning our vagina's too much with any cleanser can lead to yeast infections, as there will be no other bacteria in that area to keep the yeast under control.  I have also found that the purple colored (Delicate Blossom) cleansing clothes and wipes are the most delicate for my skin.  There are times that Delicate Blossom is not available and my fall back scent is pink or Simply Sensitive.  

I use the cleansing clothes and wash.  The wash usually lasts me for awhile, as I only use it in my vaginal area, not my entire body.  The wipes aren't so lucky, as I use them more often especially during menstruation, after intercourse if I'm not in the mood to shower, and after any strenuous activity if I'm unable to get to a shower.  Now, some women may like the individually wrapped clothes, but my favorite are the soft packs, they are packaged like travel baby wipes.  They appear to thicker and easier to use.  I also found that the wipes are good for wiping and/or cleaning your underarms when in a rush, and the cleansing wash is great to place on your underarms when bathing, allow it to soak there while you clean the rest of your body, and go over your underarms last.  This enables the cleanser to clean away the smell causing bacteria under your arms, and prevents any type of left over smell or deodorant build-up.

Hope this helps some of you, please post your experiences or questions...health and wealth to all!

Check them out at Summer's Eve Products

Skin Care Products

On another note, I was having some issues with my face being very sensitive, as I have eczema all year round (it causes flaking, dry skin around my mouth and nose...it even makes those areas lighter if I don't address the issue properly), and I get pimples prior to menstruation.  I have been using natural products for my family's skin care needs for the past four years, and we all love them.  We have been using:

• Evan Healy for our facial needs:
• I use the "Blemish treatment" set
• My husband uses the "Blue treatment" set
• Check them out at Evan Healy

• Alabu soap for our entire body needs:
• We all use the "Tea Tree Ultra-moisturizing & Soothing Goat Milk Soap"
• It keeps our eczema, and skin irritations from frequent exercise under control
• It is also very good for very sensitive skin, which all three of us have
• I also use their "Facial Moisturizer" for my facial eczema
• They have so many different soaps to choose from depending on one's skin conditions
• Check them out at Alabu Soap

• Oyin Handmade for skin moisturizer needs:
• We all use the "Whipped Pudding"
• Its moisturizing abilities for the skin are ridiculously amazing!
• I originally purchased it for our hair, but it works better for our skin, and it can even be used on your face (I use it on my 5 year olds face and body everyday)
• Check them out at Oyin Handmade

• Azulene Oil after a female waxing:
• It calms and moisturizes that delicate skin
• It also painlessly removes any left over wax
• Check it out at Azulene Oil

• Tend Skin is used by my husband for his face after shaving:
• It prevents African American men from getting in-grown hairs on their face after shaving
• It works wonderfully
• He has been using it for years now
• Just beware of its smell!
• Check it our at Tend Skin Home page, and Tend Skin on Amazon.com

I hope this product list can help some of you, as it took me a while of trial and error to get to this point.  Hopefully I can save some of you some time :)  Please email me or post any questions you may have, or experiences with these products.  Please remember that these products work well for me and my family and may not work well for everyones skin types.

Hali's New Stage

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, my energy level has been consumed with school work!  Fortunately I just finished four classes, with two more to go before I start my Nurse Practitioner program in the spring :)  Lately my hair has been on strike because I have not been able to wash it or detangle it as much.  I'm not sure if my hair is changing because of the weather change, or because of my limited care.  At any rate it is growing very well and I am relying very heavily on my Oyin Hair Dew.  I use it every morning now, because my hair is becoming more dry than usual and I am experiencing more knots than usual too :(.  I'm sure I can just give it a deep conditioning and it will bounce back, I just have not had the opportunity.  After I wash and condition this week I will post an updated picture of Hali (my hair).  Are any other natural hair goers experiencing hair changes with the weather? I'd love to hear from you...and hear how you are handling it!  Health and wealth to all :)