IS CROHN'S RECOGNISED?-no

Did you know that people with Crohn's and/or Colitis get tired super easily? It's the same with Cancer patients, just we don't get all the publicity. Don't get me wrong, cancer is a terrible thing and I wouldn't wish it upon my word enemy, but everyone knows about cancer. Out of all of the people I've told about my Crohn's, only a handful of them had even heard of it, but if I turned around and said "hey, I have cancer" I'd have people jumping through hoops for me. But I don't. Instead I have people asking me: " why are ill?" "you don't look ill," "you're so pale, are you ok?"


I'M FINE.
I JUST HAVE A CHRONIC ILLNESS NONE OF YOU PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF. IT'S COOL.
I'M FINE.
NOT EVEN THE GOVERNMENT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IBS AND IBD.
I don't usually rant about this sort of thing because illness, no matter it's form is horrific but for the three hours I've been sat here watching the TV with my dad, I've seen at least six adverts about raising money and awareness for Cancer Research and MacMillan ect. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING about any other disease. Nothing about the deaf or the blind, arthritis, liver, kidney and heart diseases. Nothing. Squat all. I under stand that cancer is killing people and most lives are on a time frame that may not be very long but other deadly diseases exist too.


I know, have known, people who lived with the awful 'C' word and a lot of those people will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart. One of my class mates is currently battling through an inoperable brain tumor and it's horrible. I wish nothing like it on anyone. We're doing all we can to keep her in the loop of things going on at school and we love her so much. It just frustrates me how everyone's energy goes in to that one illness.


I'm not trying to sound selfish, and I deeply apologise if I am; however, people with Crohn's have to live until they're 80/90 (optimum life expectancy) going in and out if hospital, on drug treatments and consultant appointments for around 80 years. Cancer patients have their tumor period and then the odd check up here and there once they are proven to be cancer free. in my opinion, it's just unfair on the patients who suffer the same amount of pain stress and boredom staring at the pale grey walls that surround them all day whilst in hospital. The same goes for every chronic illness.