Did you know: May is Inflammatory Bowel Disease month? A whole month dedicated to the awareness of the debilitating diseases that fall under the category of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease involves chronic inflammation of the digestive track from top to bottom and everything in between. Ulcerative Coltiis and Crohn's Disease are two of the most common manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. While both Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease are invisible illnesses, they are equally devastating on an individual's life. Diarrhea, ulcers, weight loss, bleeding, fatigue, and malnutrition are only a few of the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and every day children, adults, and elderly battle these.
But the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease are not the only source of pain and discomfort. Controlling these diseases requires some of the strongest antibiotics, biologic infusions, and steroids that come with their own debilitating side effects.
In addition to Inflammatory Bowel Disease awareness month, last Friday, May 19th, was World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day 2017. On this day, patients all over the world work to bring awareness and fight for a cure to these diseases. While I was recovering and could not actively participate in any activities on World IBD Day, I took some time to reflect on my battle with Ulcerative Colitis over the last year.
In February of 2016 I started experiencing moderate cramping and pain in my abdomen. For awhile, I played it off as just eating the wrong food or a stomach ache. But as the cramping became more severe and I began noticing blood in my stools, I knew something was not right. Still, I brushed the symptoms off, hoping that they would just go away (wishful thinking, right?). But my symptoms did not go away. In fact, they continued to worsen each and every day. But as a senior in college trying to finish my last semester before graduation, lead an organization as president, and put 110% into my other extracurricular activities, I kept pushing aside my troubling symptoms and powering through.
I remember leading meetings for the Glenville State College Art Society, hiding my pain and then running to the restroom afterwards only to be greeted with more blood. Something was very wrong and it was hard to admit it. But eventually my symptoms became too much and the whirlwind of visits to the local care express clinic, my primary care doctor, and hospitals began.
I sat on our porch steps one afternoon in early March, battling frequent trips to the restroom and painful cramping, I remember telling my mom that I was scared.
The destruction from Ulcerative Colitis and C. Diff. on my body began to show more and more as the summer progressed. My eyes began to sink in, putting off a purple hue from severe lack of sleep. My skin lost its normal peachy undertone and became pale and began to yellow. My muscles began to weaken and I ran almost continuous high fevers. I lost my sense of taste and was battling blisters in my mouth and throat that made even drinking water severely painful. I was being poisoned by my illnesses and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
At that time, I had no idea then that things would get so much scarier and I would be in the position I am now- a colon, appendix, and a few feet of small bowel down. But that's the thing: no one expects to just wake up one morning and not be OK. No one expects to wake up to the start of a life-threatening, life-changing illness.
How differently would you live your life if you did know?
While it is easy to dwell on the scary memories of my battle with Ulcerative Coltis and C. Diff., I have made so many amazing memories along the way that I will never forget and that have changed me for the better. I know it may seem unbelievable that any good memories can come from a year of pain, hospital stays, and almost losing my life, but it is during those times when everything seems to be crashing down around you that you begin to appreciate the small, beautiful things in life and make the most meaningful connections.
From nurses to doctors to other patients, I have listened to stories, offered support, been supported, learned, and grown exponentially as a person. Because of my illness, I have grown into someone I never imagined I could be. Someone stronger and braver. Someone who appreciates the little things in life. Someone that I am proud of. Someone that is ready to change the world.
My journey may be far from over, but with the unconditional support of my family, friends, community, nurses, and doctors, I have not doubt that everything is going to be A-OK.
I encourage everyone to do a little research into Inflammatory Bowel Disease and spread the word in hopes for a cure in the future. Right now, someone's mom, dad, husband, wife, sister, brother, cousin, aunt, uncle, boyfriend, or girlfriend is fighting Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I hope that one day, no one has to go through what I have in the last year.
My illness does not define me, but it has made me who I am today and for that, I am forever grateful.
xo- Kristen