This is kind of a hard topic for me to write, but I thought maybe turning to the people here at USMS might help me out.
Some of you may remember me - the former varsity swimmer at the university of chicago who posted about her trials and tribulations during her first season.
I say former, because I'm not on the team this year. Largely due to health problems. My back injury from last year has healed well, and while I'm not 100%, I'm at least back to mostly full strength...
Unfortunately... when one thing gets better it seems that other things get worse. Over the past 5 years of my life I've been dealing with problems with my digestive system. In the last 6 months it's gotten worse, which led me to finally seek out medical help. (Without going into too many gory details... I'm dealing with gas, severe pain, diarreha, low appetite, and bleeding from areas where I should definitely not be bleeding). A few weeks ago, I had a colonoscopy (and I'm only 20!). It was inconclusive, so I was referred by my primary physician to a GI at the U of C Hospitals (guess I'm at least at one of the best places for this stuff...). He suspects that I have Crohn's disease... perhaps only in my small intestine (why the colonoscopy wouldn't have found it) and after the holidays I'm scheduled for more tests to see if they can figure out what's wrong with me and begin treatment.
Naturally, having these problems has been tough for me. Between holding down my academics and school and being sick very frequently I've not been able to swim like I want to. I miss it a lot.
My holiday break is coming up and I really want to use the 3 weeks to get back into the pool again.
I guess I'm just writing this post to see if anyone else has dealt with health problems like this / overcoming this type of thing to get back into the pool. I don't know if any of you will be able to help...but I figured it was worth a try....
Parents
Former Member
I'm sorry to hear of your struggles and diagnosis. I also have a Chronic medical condition, albeit not quite as intense as yours--epilepsy.
Psychologically I just have to take it one day at a time. Go by time put in the pool, not by yardage. See how you feel afterwards and adjust as needed. Each day will be different. Congratulate yourself on making it to the pool that day, no matter how far you end up swimming. Go home and take the rest of the day off and stare at the ceiling if need be.
Regarding the Crohn's...I have 2 good friends who both recently went through the surgery for it. They are now healthier and happier than they have been in decades. I hope you eventually find something that can help bring you to a level of comfort.
I'm sorry to hear of your struggles and diagnosis. I also have a Chronic medical condition, albeit not quite as intense as yours--epilepsy.
Psychologically I just have to take it one day at a time. Go by time put in the pool, not by yardage. See how you feel afterwards and adjust as needed. Each day will be different. Congratulate yourself on making it to the pool that day, no matter how far you end up swimming. Go home and take the rest of the day off and stare at the ceiling if need be.
Regarding the Crohn's...I have 2 good friends who both recently went through the surgery for it. They are now healthier and happier than they have been in decades. I hope you eventually find something that can help bring you to a level of comfort.
