Introduction:
Hello! I am Binui Morales. I was hospitalized April 6th, 2013. I was suffering from abdominal pain, anemia, weight loss, bloody stools and diarrhea. I had a flexible endoscopy and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.
This does not define me. I will continue living my life and striving to stay in remission!
Some more about me:
I am currently a Junior attending University of California, Santa Barbara so my life is pretty busy with school work, volunteering and hanging out with friends (but been doing less of this recently due to my low energy level). I also love catching up on TV shows during the weekend as my stress reliever. I enjoyed working out on the tread mill and doing yoga, but I have also stopped recently. I know this low moment is temporarily and once I get UC under control everything in my life will return to normal!
I am very optimistic towards my future! :)
Symptoms:
Mild abdominal pain
Slight blood stools
Joint pain
Weight loss
I Will Be OKAY!
When the doctor said “You might have Ulcerative Colitis” tears immediately poured down my face. I am young. I am 21 years old. I should be enjoying life carefree with no worries, but instead I am fighting my colon.
Currently as I am a couple weeks into being diagnosed I am feeling much better!
I have an amazing family, loving boyfriend, supportive friends and hopefully a new community of fellow UC fighters :)
Right now my main concern is regaining the weight I have lost. I am a petite woman standing at 4’11 so I have always been on the slender side, but was comfortable with my frame. This current flare up has caused me to feel very self conscious of my physical appearance. I have noticed a drastic change in my legs (once favorite attribute). I no longer fill up my skinny jeans, but on the bright side…. I am enjoying wearing skirts with tights!
Suggestions from fellow female fashionistas on wardrobe options? :)
Also, any good protein shake to gain weight?
I love fruit smoothies, but I can’t eat raw fruits or veggies. I also only drink almond milk.
This brings me to my next obstacle… dairy and bread addiction!
I love warm toasted bread with butter, milk with cookies, mexican sweet bread, yogurt, cream cheese, anything with parmesan, provolone, mozzarella, sandwiches and love pasta!! I have stopped eating these as I am semi following the Special Carbohydrate Diet due to my boyfriends request, but it is soooo hard to deny a warm toast once in a while!
I have a daily food log to track my diet and symptoms. I haven’t had any no-no foods yet, but I haven’t really ventured out. My recent test run was 3 thin slices of cheese pizza. The morning after I had mild abdominal pain and diarrhea, but nothing too unusual as I was only a week in my medication.
Should I wait until I am symptom free to venture out again? Or keep test running?
I know I am not alone and there are many out there like me! Cheers!
Medications:
Delzicol and Prednisone= 12 pills a day
I am showing improvement so hopefully I will get off steroids soon!
Low fiber/low residue diet
Semi following the Special Carbohydrate Diet, but not too sure if it benefits me…. I guess time will tell.
written by Binui Morales
submitted in the colitis venting area
I was hospitalized April 6th, 2013. I was suffering from abdominal pain, anemia, weight loss, bloody stools and diarrhea. I had a flexible endoscopy and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.
This does not define me. I will continue living my life and striving to stay in remission!
