Happy Tuesday, I hope you All had a good weekend and a Positive Monday . My weekend was very Good to say the least and my Monday was smooth Sailing. I wanted to share with you about this event I took apart of This past Saturday. I participated in the “I Take Steps Crohns, Colitis/IBD Walk”. The walk was located in Southfield Michigan at the Southfield Civic Center. It was roughly about 2.6 miles long, with the option of a 1 mile finish ( seemed much longer) but Before I give you the Deeds on this Wonderful Event, let me give you a briefing on my life and the reason why I really wanted to attend this wonderful experience.

For those who I have not shared I am a Crohns Disease/Colitis Warrior. I say “Warrior” because I’m fighting everyday to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I was Diagnosed at the age of 7. I have been battling with this horrible disease for about 28 years (I’m sure your doing the math figuring out who many years YOUNG I am 🧐😝). This Condition Affects more than 3 million Americans, which is A lot but, I have to say I have had a very Blessed Life thus far. My condition over the Last 5 years has not let me be Great to say the least. I know your saying “how is that being Blessed”? Well it could be much worst believe me. This disease affect not only your digestive system All the way from your mouth to your Anus, but it affects your mental, joints and so many more parts of your body. I always say having this autoimmune disease some days I wake up feeling like Superwoman, then a couple hours later feeling Clark Kent holding Kryptonite.

In 2014 is where it All began. I had my first colon resection due to a stricture (a narrowing of the large intestines) and losing weight rapidly (60lbs in less than 2 months). Then in 2016 I had a Sub-Total Colectomy (Large intestine removed) with an Anastomosis connection. This of course has created short bowel syndrome, which means a lot of bathroom trips 💩, but hey shit happens LITERALLY. I wish I could say it has gotten better since then, but everyday is a fight, mentally and physically. I’m sure I’ll go into further more of these details throughout my blog but back to the walk.

As I stated this walk was Amazing. Along with me, I had my Best Friend, My two daughters, My oldest daughter friend and Their Godmother/God Sisters there for Support and Love. I created a fundraiser and was able to raise $256 dollars to Support this foundation for new research and hopefully one day a cure💜

The walk started at about 10:30 in the morning and it was hotter than a jalapeños Butt outside. In my mind, I said no sweat, but after about 10 minutes, I was sweating my ass off. My Best Friend made sure to keep asking “Are you ok” cause ill be honest, I am out of Shape, or as I say “Thicker than five Snickers”!

After making it to the 1 mile Mark, I was SO DONE! My youngest Allergies started to act up, sneezing and sniffling, and of course I had no tissue, but being the mom I am, I had a shirt and told her go for it 😂. At that point it was hot as hell, I was swollen like the good year blimp and my fingers looked like Vienna sausages. I WAS READY TO QUIT!

I looked at my youngest, I said are you ready to go back, she said no, even with her allergies she was a trooper. My oldest was behind us and was ready to say the ” hell with this”, Then I said to my Best-friend, we can just cut into these trees and go to the finish line but, her response is what really pushed me to finish, she said “when the Lord puts you on one path, we make the mistake of going our own route and getting lost, its ok to take breaks, but keep on the directed path”. There goes that “RBF” again but She was absolutely RIGHT! In my “Martin Lawrence” voice I said ” Damn Gina I was ready to quit”, as you can see I doubted myself big time. I just knew I couldn’t do it, but before I knew it, I tossed back another bottle of water and kept walking. Thank you for pushing me and being my Rider that day Darcy💜.

My oldest and her friend made it before us, but before I knew it we were at the finish Line being cheered on by all these Supporters. Even though I was Tired as ever, swollen with a headache I didn’t quit and I made it and It felt damn good!

The Greatest Reward Come when you give of yourself. Its about Bettering the Lives of others , being part of something bigger than yourself, and making a positive difference. ~Nick Vujicic

This Event I met so many people, connected with many support groups, and did something that I thought I would never be able to do. It was nothing short of Amazing!

If we stop limiting ourselves to the endless possibilities, we began to discover a world of opportunities. I encourage you all to research different walks, support groups, and be apart of something great! Each year I will be doing this walk, in not only support of myself, but others that suffer as well, because to me Life is so much bigger than Myself Alone. Have a Great Tuesday #ITakeSteps #WeTookSteps #Crohnssucks #Colitissucks #Awareness

Stay Tuned…….

~Tanika