I need to preface this post with my own struggle and victory over IBD. At 5 years old I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, something you never heard of in 1977. I would struggle with at least one yearly flare which would leave me hospitalized for a minimum of a week, every year from 1977 to 1991. In 1991, I was hospitalized for 2 1/2 months my senior year which was devastating. In 1993 at 21 years old, my large intentine was almost completely perforated, so my entire colon was removed in a 2 part process.
When the 2nd of my 4 children started having horrible stomach pain and then ultimately bleeding in the 7th grade, I immediately knew this was IBD. Dr. Kunde came recommended by my General Practice doctor and it is a suggestion I will FOREVER be grateful for! When my son's first procedure was complete, Dr. Kunde called me back to discuss the results. Crohn's Disease. I felt my heart drop and just completely fell apart. I KNEW this came from my genes due to my medical history. Kunde knowing how heartbroken I was, offered the kindest words, and words that would change everything. He said,"You cannot look at this as you gave this to him, but that you had IBD so that you could be the strongest Advocate for your son." And THAT was exactly what this Mom needed to hear!
We began with Nutritional Therapy, while difficult for children, my son hung in there and eventually adjusted to this quite well. His main nutrition came from Ensure Shakes, which we STILL use in his daily nutrition 3 years later. We have moved to Infusions and thankfully he is doing wonderfully! I spent all of my adolencence with Pediatric Gastroenterologists...and always thought they were the best doctors, but that was before we met Dr. Kunde. I cannot begtin to say wnough about his bedside manner, his concern and his knowledge of GI issues, treatments, etc. He hears our concerns and addresses every question. My son has always felt comfortable and "heard" at every appointment.
Every child and every IBD case is completely different but I have to honestly say that Dr. Kunde is the BEST GI doctor for each and every one!