Many people might know it but many people might not know that I live with a chronic illness called Crohn’s disease. It’s something I’ve never been entirely open about because let’s face it it’s not a pretty disease. People don’t like talking about shit to begin with but add a disease that involves it and you haven’t exactly got the perfect dinner conversation starter. But it’s about time people started talking. Every year more and more people are diagnosed with ibd of some sort and they are a lot worse than people realise. It isn’t just stomach cramps and many trips to the toilet. It’s debilitating pain and fatigue. Regular hospital trips, operations to remove parts of your intestines, shitting blood, loosing weight, feeling sick whenever you eat, depression, and then there’s the drugs they give you to control the disease. The side affects of these drugs can be the worst part. They can cause hair loss (I know this first hand I lost 90% of my hair in year 12 to say it was traumatic is an understatement). They can also cause bone pain, liver failure, cancers, osteoporosis the list goes on but hey you might not have your disease anymore? Lucky for me I don’t respond to these drugs! So I’ve taken my health into my own hands the past couple of years because the thought of getting cancer from my medication scares the living hell out of me. And I’m surviving. I’m fighting and I’ve got a lot of battle scars to show for it physical and mental. Ive had an ostomy bag for 2 years now. If you don’t know what it is give it a google you might learn something new today, but to cut to the chase I haven’t gone to the toilet normally in 2 years because I shit into a bag connected to my abdomen (perfect dinner conversation right😂).
I’ve learnt a lot in my 20 years and I had to mature real quick because I’ve been in and out of hospital since I was 8. I’ve decided to start writing a blog, I’m not a writer and don’t claim to be but I’ve got a story to tell and wisdom to pass on. If I can help one person going through what I’m going through then it’s all worth it. So if you want some more insight to my crazy life then hold on to your hats because it’s gonna be a hell of a ride. My favourite cousin Eden recently told me that my nans favourite quote was “tough times don’t last but tough people do” this is something I try and remind myself everyday. This life is a wonderful, crazy, hell of a ride and I wouldn’t change a thing that has happened because it’s made me the person I am today.
The Power Of Me 
So you just like, whipped this up during a day in hospital?!? Of course you did, you’re Morgan Fucken Taylor. BAGS FIRST COMMENTER yassssss. I read your title page and saw your face pic and Nan’s quote and THIS time I was crying on my carpet because of all the literal shit you’ve been through to get through to this very moment right now. I’m still blown away by all the things you’ve been through that I and so many other people just don’t know. Except the ones like you, living it every single day. Power strength and forcefields. Balls deep, Morgie. Write like there’s no tomorrow and you got nothing to lose because there isn’t and you haven’t. xxxxxxx
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Hi Morgan, I feel like I kind of know you because of the way Eden talks about your strength and how badass you are. You certainly do have a story to tell and I for one know very little about Crohn’s disease and so your blog has already given me 100x more information. Thank you and keep up the good writing, Teach!
Keep being a badass. Mandy xx
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Kudos to your courage Morgan, yes, more people need to talk about invisible disease. I live with ofttimes debilitating physical symptoms from autism: severe sensory sensitivity, fatigue, not to mention mental health challenges like complex trauma and depression, all the delightful subjects no one dares go near with a ten-foot pole.
I love Eden, have been following her writing for years now and she’s my inspiration for raw and real all these years. I struggled to be able to real for years, due to massive social judgement etc. Finally broke through the barrier this year and didn’t look back.
Thank you for helping to spread awareness of the realities of Crohn’s. You will definitely help someone, if not many, out there. I look forward to following and supporting your writing and mission.
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Thank you so much for your kind words. I often say to Eden that mental illness is just as bad if not worse than physical illness but it’s so stigmatised. We need to start breaking the boundaries and talking about the issues people don’t want to talk about.
I love Eden she is one hell of a woman and I’m glad she’s my cousin. Hope you are doing well xxx
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