My name is Wendy Shershen. I am a Registered Nurse and have worked in many different areas of nursing. The last area of nursing I worked in was infection control. Oddly enough, the first thing that started my current downfall was a yeast infection in my lungs. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks. That was in 2003. I was in the hospital 8 times that year for respiratory infections and asthma. It was then recommended that I retire on disability. I was also diagnosed with respiratory MRSA. I will say now that my last bronchoscopy did not show any MRSA. I also had a brief flare of gp at that time which was attributed to drugs. When I was taken off the drugs, I improved. 

I have been diagnosed with Crohns disease since 1972 and have had 2 small bowel resections. I also had a colostomy in 2005. After the colostomy I was diagnosed with VRE in my wound. The wound infection is cleared and at this time I don't know of any active VRE. 

I was again diagnosed with gp later in 2003 and lost about 40 lbs. I didn't vomit much but did have extreme nausea and pain. I was on TPN at that time. I have tried Erythromycin, domperidone and neither have worked well. I have had a botox injection. I just recently had a 7 hour emptying scan done at Mayo and am waiting the results. I do know that my stomach had not emptied at the 4 hour point. 

I also have an immune deficiency for which I get IVIg monthly. I am also hypothyroid, hypertensive, and am suspected of having short bowel syndrome.

For fun, I like to crochet, read and make jewelry. I have an antique cat named Shadow (he is 19 years old). I sleep a lot. I used to volunteer but now the only thing I do is lead a reading book club every two months. I also like to embroider. I am a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Florida State Seminoles. I have one daughter who has so far failed to give me a grandchild but otherwise is a wonderful daughter. And I have a wonderful and supportive husband. 

A current update to this info is that I have had another MRSA infection in my lungs which was treated. 

I was at the Mayo Clinic this year and now I have found out that I am not a candidate for the gastric stimulator because not only is my stomach slow but my small intestine is delayed. I am currently on a supplement called Optimental twice a day with one regular meal a day.  Apparently I also suffer from malabsorption. While I was at Mayo I had a simple revision done of my colostomy and am very happy with the results. 

I do use a walker now for walking long distances because I have a neuropathy in my legs. The cause is unknown. 

My gastroparesis continues to progress but I have learned to adjust most of the time. Occasionally I will eat things I shouldn't and then I pay for it with pain and nausea.