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Greetings, 2011. I begin a new year in my post-Crohn’s life. I am happy and grateful for the fullness of life free from disease. My ostomy is old news as I approach my three-year anniversary of surgery. I am aware of my ostomy, but I forget about it – like contacts in my eyes, or the watch on my wrist. I know that I am healthy because my days go quickly, full of purpose, activity and connection.

2010 was a fantastic year. I could never say that when I was sick. A whole year could never be fantastic – at best there were good days, weeks, maybe even a month.

By last January, I had applied to graduate school and could do nothing but wait to learn how it would pan out. In March, I was relieved to find out that I had been accepted to a couple of programs. After visiting the campus at the University of California-San Diego and meeting the people there, I was convinced that it was the right place for me. I was thrilled by the prospect of living near the beach in sunny southern California, and I was excited about the many amazing people I had met. I had a glimpse of what this new life would be, and to my relief, my husband was game to move (and had the luxury to do so, because his company agreed to let him work remotely).

Great good luck followed in terms of moving and living arrangements, and by the end of May we had loaded our 24 foot truck, drugged our two cats, and headed out west. The very first weekend following our arrival in San Diego, wonderful new friends from my graduate program invited my husband and I to join them at the beach to swim in the bioluminescent algae bloom that happened to be occurring. We found ourselves on a beach under a starry sky with food, beer, and wetsuits. Though I thought I might die (being somewhat afraid of the ocean), I put on the wetsuit and headed out into the expanse of black water. Each cresting wave sparkled white-blue, and when we moved our arms around us, trails of sparkling water followed. It was a cosmic feeling.

Thus began an adventurous summer of making new friends, camping in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, grilling and campfiring on the beach, and settling into our new home. We had picked up and moved to a new place so that I could pursue a new career. We never could have made such a commitment when I was sick. Even if I had been in remission for a year (and I was basically never in remission), I never knew when Crohn’s would rise up and take over my life. I couldn’t go back to school or make any such big commitments. We might have moved to a new state and I might have started school, only to have to drop out before the first quarter was even over. But as an ostomate, I was able to commit, and it has felt awesome.

School started in the fall, and it was crazy busy and stimulating and challenging and fun, and the whole time I was aware that my body was able to keep up. I could handle the stress. I could expend the energy necessary to do what I needed to do. The ten-week quarter flew by, and I aced my classes. Over Christmas break, we relaxed, walked the beaches, played Scrabble, and read books.

Tomorrow school will start again. I may not have time to blog again until spring break! But I’m all smiles. No regrets. Life is good.

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