"Thankful for the support"

After several years of unknown health issues, I was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease as of late last year through the help of the Royal Perth Hospital Gastroenterology department.  

My main point of contact and support since being diagnosed has been with my IBD health nurse Roisin. One of the first things I said when I got told I had Crohn’s was that I was super happy to have the disease, and Roisin’s reply was “I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say that they have been happy to be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease before, but I’m happy we can help”. I was happy as I felt it was a long-overdue answer I had been searching for, and now I knew what I was dealing with I could start treatment and hopefully start to feel better. The fact Roisin said that they are happy they can help put my mind at ease and I knew I was going to be well looked after from the point on – I have been.

I finally got my first injection of Stelara and after some time I started to feel the positive effects. Less flare-ups, my blood count was stable and overall feeling way healthier for the first time in years. I am still on Stelara and have been feeling great.

I just want to say a huge thank you to the Gastroenterology Department for all the support and especially to the IBD nurses. Such a great team and always happy to help with any queries I have.

Prior to getting diagnosed, I had a massive episode in a few months before, and this episode was effecting me getting back to my job. Roisin was happy to help with my return to work case as she wrote multiple ‘fit for work’ letters and pushed for appointments every time I asked. My job was stressing me out on top of dealing with my newly identified condition and Roisin certainly made that stressful situation a lot easier for myself.

Thank you so much IBD nurses / RPH.