Meet “Canadian Eric”
Hi, my name is Eric and I’m 35 years old. I was just recently diagnosed late spring/early summer 2012. I’m not very good at remembering specific dates so that will have to do. I currently work for a Medical Technology company and the show “Ancient Aliens” has obliterated my mind.
Some more about me:
Being Canadian, I love hockey. And beer. And whiskey. But since being diagnosed I now only love hockey. Born and raised just outside Toronto, Canada, not only have I recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis but have also seemed to discovered I’m suffering from a case of Yuppism! So many changes. Needless to say, my University Hippie self is quite upset. I guess that means I’ll have to stop playing video games soon too. Oh and btw, Battlestar Galactica best show ever!
Current Colitis Symptoms:
Currently my symptoms are quite mild. I’ve been very good with my eating habits (I am now eating pretty much anything but have yet to venture down the spicy aisle and the two times I’ve attempted to drink alcohol, well not worth it). But hey, if it means one hard poop a day…”show me the toilet!!!” (in my best Cuba Gooding, Jr. voice impersonation…not sure if it works). I do get that “blocked” up feeling and the tenderness and the burning I hate the burning, why is there burning?!?! Oh and some bleeding. Love that part too.
Curse or Blessing
My story – Well it began almost 15 years ago when I suspect UC first initialized itself within my large intestine in the form of an intestinal parasite. Working in a kitchen during my University days, I was told this wasn’t common yet not uncommon for someone of my job description. I was given some pills to take, a quite heavy poison and told for the next 7 years I would continue to suffer from my symptoms until my body fully healed itself from the medication.
The symptoms you ask? One of them included a sharp pain in my lower intestine signaling to me an approximate 30 second window to find a toilet fast. Life was stressful. I didn’t make it on a few occasions. Yup nothing more embarrassing then being on a date and having to cut it short because well you just had an accident. Just 7 years of this, no problem right? Well 7 years went by and then 10 and so on. The condition has simply become white noise in my life. Until last summer.
I was dealing with a lot of stress. To make things worse, I’ve also been diagnosed with Narcolepsy and Bipolar II so life was being very awkward, I didn’t have a good grasp and my health was deteriorating physically not to mention emotionally. I started to lose weight and was having issues eating. I would often feel nausea and at one point was throwing up 3-4 times a day…while at work. I’m still not sure how no one caught on!
Finally I woke one day feeling literally “grey”. Not green, or blue or purple but grey. I went to work debating making the drive to the hospital instead. About half hour into my shift, I knew this wasn’t going to work out. When I told my boss I needed to leave, the expression on his face told me everything I needed to know. I should’ve went to the hospital instead! So I went.
Looking back at my experience being diagnosed at the hospital, I now have to laugh. But I’ll save that story for another time. To say the least, UC has changed my life drastically even when I wasn’t aware. Some may see such a diagnose as a curse but for me it has been a blessing. Living with the symptoms for years not knowing I had UC was one thing. Now that I know what the symptoms are and why I have them, well I probably feel better today than I ever have simply because I can now manage them!
Ultimately I had to sit myself down one day and make a choice based on my perception. I could either see this diagnose as a ball and chain tied around my ankle, weighing me down and holding me back from what I want to do. Or I could see this diagnose as a stepping stone to a level of greater knowledge and from that point of view I’ve been able to find success and just be happier. In fact I’m grateful for this diagnose because at the end of the day it makes me a better person! It makes me try harder and helps me realize how lucky I am. How weird is that?
Current Colitis Medications:
I take Salofalk (Mesalazine) both oral and suppository. And I hate the suppository :/
written by Eric
submitted in the colitis venting area
I’m 35 years old. I was just recently diagnosed late spring/early summer 2012. I’m not very good at remembering specific dates so that will have to do. I currrently work for a Medical Technology company and the show “Ancient Aliens” has obliterated my mind.
