About me
Hi, there!
I'm Kristen and in March 2016 my life changed completely when I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis. My disease was complicated by a very antibiotic resistant infection of C. Diff. and by August 2016 I was only 72 pounds and in critical condition. Shortly after, I had a life-saving total colectomy at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and my recovery journey with an ileostomy began.
I had a second surgery in March 2017 to create what is known as a "j-pouch" and change my ileostomy to a loop ileostomy while my j-pouch healed. After two months of obstructions due to a problem with my loop ileostomy, my third and final surgery to connect my j-pouch was moved up to May 2017.
Although promising, my j-pouch quickly became inflamed by what the doctors have since diagnosed as Crohn's Colitis, and after three months of weight loss and declining health, I made the decision to have my j-pouch removed and a permanent ileostomy placed. So, at only 80 pounds, I went into my 4th surgery at Johns Hopkins to receive a permanent ileostomy.
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I have had a total of 7 major surgeries since 2016, the most recent being a gracilis muscle flap to attempt to heal a non-healing surgical wound.
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My ostomy has truly given me my life back. I currently work my dream job in the heart of West Virginia while I continue to navigate the ebs and flows of living with a chronic illness.
Thank you so much for following along with my journey!
Kristen
Disclaimer:
I created this blog as a place to chronicle my journey with severe Ulcerative Colitis and life with an ileostomy in hopes that it inspires someone else going through a similar situation. All of the thoughts, opinions, and images published on this blog are my own unless I indicate otherwise. Sponsorships and advertisements will be clearly disclosed in the relevant posts.
Although I have spent many, many weeks in hospitals and battling my illness, I am not a doctor and I do not intend any of the thoughts expressed on this blog to be read as medical advice. The advice that I express is solely from experience and what I have found works for me. What works for me may not work for you. You should always seek the advice of a medical professional before trying any new diets, supplements, exercise routines, or treatments for your illness.