As happens way too frequently with Crohn’s disease, this afternoon I found myself being admitted to the hospital. The health of a Crohn’s patient can seem to be going well for months (or even years) and then without warning everything goes downhill in a matters of days (or even hours).

Ever since I started running half marathons with Team Challenge1 in 2008, I’ve been preaching about the many and varied horrors that can accompany living with Crohn’s disease. And now – once again – I find myself experiencing that crap firsthand.

So here is the high-level view ...

I’m currently a guest at stately Hotel Froedtert.2 At the moment, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it ends up being a short stay, but nothing’s ever certain with this disease. I’m also extremely hopeful as of right now that I’ll still be able to run the Las Vegas half marathon on December 6.

I’ll blog and Tweet as much as my health (and my doctors) allow, so if you’re interested in my status, watch this space.

In closing, one request: No flowers or get well gifts, please. If you feel the need to give something, please make a donation to CCFA as part of my Team Challenge fundraising effort — you can do so online at this page.

Notes:

1. Team Challenge is the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s endurance training program which trains individuals to run or walk a half marathon while helping the Foundation raise funds to find a cure for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. I ran the San Antonio half marathon in November 2008 and then ran the Napa-to-Sonoma half marathon this past July. If you want to learn more about Team Challenge, visit the website. [↩]
2. Better known as Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, WI. Years ago when my friend Sandra visited me while I was a patient at Froedtert, she exclaimed, “This place is like a Country Club!” She might have been exaggerating just slightly, but for the most part I’ve had high quality experiences the times I’ve been a patient here. [↩]