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| BEHCET'S ONTARIO Canada |
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| GERRY'S MEDICAL JOURNEY |
| Let me introduce myself, my name is Gerry and I have Behcet's Disease. I guess I'll start my mini-script here for ya.... For years I'd dealt with swelling leg muscles in the calves, fevers, epididimitis, mouth ulcers x 10 and overall weirdness. About twelve years ago I flew to Vancouver and had to be admitted into the Hospital. Upon my arrival I was told I had "Bowel Inflammation", due to the poultry that I'd eaten on the plane. Well, I've come to learn after all these years that bowel inflammation can be a symptom of Behcet's Disease. Years passed with no major problems just the ones I'd always had, then in the spring of 2005 I experienced stroke-like symptoms. Headaches (like never before), loss of strength of my left side and slurred speech. This happened over the course of a two week period. When I finally go to the local emergency department, they end up giving me a shot in the butt, told me I'd be fine and to go home. Well, two days later the symptoms come back with a vengeance! So back to the Hospital I go, with almost no use of my left side. "Oh, you've had a stroke" they tell me. So I'm shipped off to a major hospital in Toronto where I stay for almost two months until eventually I meet my Rheumatologist. She ultimately diagnosis me with what she believes is Behcet's Disease. Shortly after being discharged I was once again admitted under my new doctor's care for bowel inflammation. Ever since then I have had multiple "flare-ups" and treatments, the most effective to date being a drug called Remicade. This is an infused anti-inflammatory drug that I receive every eight weeks. I am doing well so far since being treated with it. After two years I am still working hard at rebuilding strength and the use of my left side. Behcet's is a disease we need to discuss and make people aware of. I want guys to know that we can be affected too and not to be afraid to come forward and speak out. That guys are not alone, there's company here and support. It's better to fight with people in your corner than all alone. I'm here for anyone but especially for guys who need a brother to chat to. About loss, illness and the fact that having a rare disease or a loved one with a rare disease can make a victim out of all of us. Let's not let that happen........Cheers Everybody! Keep Strong, Keep the Vision, Gerry |
| I would like to hear from you. For more details on my personal experiences or to just chat one on one , please feel free to email me at gerry@behcetcanada.com |
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