Aunt Cathy

Do you know someone who has IBD? Do they suffer from Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis? 

How many times have you found out that someone you have known, a friend or even a family member has been suffering but didn’t tell anyone? 

How many of you are patients yourselves and have only told a select few or perhaps no one at all?

When I first became involved with Team Challenge in 2010, I never heard of either Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis. I had to do some research to find out what they were. Obviously once I read about it and what the symptoms are, what people with IBD typically experience, it was no surprise to me why I hadn’t heard about it from people. You’ve read the stories posted here with 26.2 For You and it makes sense that this is not going to be the first thing someone talks about when you meet them for the first time. 

I used to tell people that when I first became involved with Team Challenge, I didn’t know anyone with Crohn’s or colitis. The truth is I did know people, I just never knew that I did. With over 3 million Americans suffering from IBD I honestly think almost everyone knows someone but maybe they don’t know they know. 

This all brings me to the story of my late Aunt Cathy. There are a lot of unanswered questions and some family members know a little more than others. The truth is we think she did suffer from colitis. A lot of us didn’t know she was dealing with this at all, like I mentioned before, some people just don’t openly share this kind of information. 

We lost her in 2005 so unfortunately, I can’t talk to her or ask her about what she had been dealing with or for how long. So many IBD patients suffer in silence and I know my aunt would have just tried to deal with this and not bother all of her family members with what she was dealing with. 

I wanted to share my aunt’s story because it wasn’t until a few years ago that I found out that there was a possibility that she did have IBD. First off because she is my aunt and I do love her and miss her. Secondly, I think this story is one many can relate to. Not knowing a family member is suffering from IBD and never having known for some time. 

I feel bad because I do know we have a lot more options for treatment now than we did almost 20 years ago. I’m sure it impacted her daily life like it does so many and I can’t imagine my sweet aunt Cathy having to deal with any IBD symptoms. 

My Aunt Cathy’s story is short because there are a lot of details we just don’t know. We think and are pretty sure she had colitis but we don’t know much else besides that and a lot of us didn’t know at all. 

Marathon #69 – Recap