Six Years

Six years in the making. My story is still unfolding. And I think it is time that I recount the last chapter of my life. Lately, I have been hiding from most of the outside world. Wrapped inside the cocoon of my bed or the comfort of my kitchen or the coldness of the doctors office, I really haven't found myself anywhere else. Thankfully not the hospital, I missed that by a small window.

You see, yesterday was my 6th year "chroniversary". I have officially had Crohn's Disease for 6 years... whoo hoo!

There really is so so so much to celebrate. And as every year unfolds, more and more miracles. I will recount those in a minute.

But first, my most recent chapter. The flare from "somewhere else". This flare has been torture. I would never ever wish this upon anyone. Nor would I give up the opportunity to go through this because I have walked away from these 6 months a different person. Much stronger.

Basically anything bad that could happen to me with Crohn's "almost" has happened to me. Thankfully no surgery or hospitalizations. But yeah, I have fallen in the rare 5% of people who have this condition who get things like Erythema Nodosum. Weird lumps that grow all over your legs and arms and literally make it so that you can barely stand up enough just to hobble to the bathroom and back. All while crying because it is so excruciating. This flare made my body so inflamed that the inflammation started to not just effect my intestines like usual, but turned towards my legs, spine, and even my eyes.

So when the lumps went away... I cried tears of joy. This taught me to appreciate even just the miracle of walking around at my brothers xc race, or going to get the mail.

Next, I have learned to like my body just the way it is. Society is constantly telling us that we "are not pretty enough", "need to be more thin", etc. Folks, being stick skinny isn't all that you think you may want it to be. Weighing in at a meager 99 lbs. I missed any "insecurities" that I may have once had. If you can pinch a little bit on your sides, smile, your body is able to uptake nutrients. As I have started to gain wait back (booyah!) I am oh so so excited. Eating first and second lunch is a lot of work, haha ;)

Never ever take for granted being able to exercise. Right now, after you read this, think about what kind of physical activity do you like to do. I am working as a health coach and encourage people to find what they love to do. What is it for you?! Two weeks ago when I first hopped onto the elliptical, and yesterday my run for the first time in four months felt like absolute bliss. I marvel at what my body can do, even if it's a slow 3 miles. Or a walk to the mailbox. Rejoice in what you can do, and be as active as you can. Your body, and the ability to move truly is a gift.

Working got you tired? Think again. For four months I have been unable to work and boy has my perspective changed! I have since started working again recently and I am loving it and feel so refreshed! Even having the stamina to work is a blessing that so many of us don't even think about at all. I never did.

Are you afraid of doctors? Or perhaps afraid to get help? Maybe you even know what you "should" do but are afraid. Ok friends, here is the miracle part that I am about to write. And this part takes some serious bravery and humility. For quite some time my specialist has been looking at my decline and persisting on some new medication. For quite some time I thought he was either a) wrong b) trying to sell me on something or c) I could outgrow this horrendous disease. Well the answer was d) take the stinkin' medicine.

After a very scary experience one night I woke up and knew with absolute certainty that I had to act in order to get better. By acting we chose to accept this new route and take this medication. The sweet  medical assistant helped me and calmed my fears and heard me through my sobs. In desperation I asked if this medicine would work fast. Through lots of questions and research I learned that it could possibly work fast or it could take up to twelve weeks or it could not work at all. At this point I was too broken hearted to have too much hope in any one thing. I have been chasing broken promises all summer of getting better and nothing has worked. But here is the miracle, by Sunday, just three days afterwards I literally felt like Camille again.

To all you readers of "Blessing in the Curse", Camille Kemp is back!!! Am I totally "better"? No. But I am fully functioning and I know this is a miracle. I truly believe that there are multiple methods to being "healed". For me, the answer right now is medication because I think that was the hardest one for me to accept. God is asking me to take a leap into the dark in faith, and He is blessing me immeasurably for my faith.

Often times I think that God asks us to do just the very thing that we do not want to do because that will stretch and grow us the most. Oh boy am I being stretched. But I wouldn't want it any other way because I am becoming much stronger.

In conclusion of this chapter that I now want to move away from, I must thank:

God for keeping his promises and understanding just how I feel

My mother for being my mommy just when I needed it the most

My father for being my rock and doing whatever it takes to get me better

My siblings for their hugs and prayers

My fiancé for loving me through and through and for reminding me that I will be ok


I don't entirely understand yet why this summer had to get so bad. But I do know with absolute certainty that I will be ok. I have a renewed excitement for life and I am going to take every day as a gift and love the life I have been given.

Now it's your turn to go find your "blessing in the curse!"

I have lots.