A constant companion

A quote I've read recently: "Make a friend of pain and you will never be alone."

With my current hospitalization that got me thinking, as I am in pain currently, what keeps bringing pain and I together in this way?

My first surgery was in 1987. I was an innocent. I don't think I did anything to make it happen.

Second surgery was in 1992. I was in a marriage going downhill. I had no job and no health insurance. I was in a hospital 5 hours from home and things were just going no good. I was in the hospital 28 days straight. All of those personal things mentioned I am sure were determining factors in causing me to get sick.

The third surgery was in 2000. It was my last year of college, I was spreading myself thin, I was stressed, I knew I was moving. But the surgery worked great and I recovered in record time.

A fourth surgery happened in 2005. I had important family members moving away from me, causing me emotional distress. I was working a very hectic job with tons of responsibility.

In 2008 I was admitted again for two weeks and was very sick. At the time I was in way over my head at UCSD in a new job that totally drove me crazy.

Now it is 2010 and other personal issues, emotions and such came to such a level I think it cause this flare up.

What seems to be the common thread? Stress. Stress, anguish, guilt, despair but especially stress seem to drive my major Crohns flare ups.

So what I think I need to learn is how to handle stress. I feel I have a full life, good family and know how to enjoy myself. But evidently I know nothing about handling stress and its effects on me.

Counseling?
Self help book?
Therapy?
Medicine?

*update*I am still in the hospital. No changes to my condition. Obviously a little tired and frustrated with the situation. Today is day 4 of my admittance.