Introduction:
I am 20 years old, from Canada and was diagnosed at age 10. I am a political science student at the University of Western Ontario.
Colitis Symptoms:
Currently have no symptoms!!
Hello,
My name is Brittany and I am 20 years old.
I was 10 years old when I first started noticing blood. At the time, my dad was battling lung cancer. I was too afraid to tell anyone and burden my family with even more stress, and was in denial, so I just went on living my life as normal. Soon it caught up with me, and I had to be hospitalized. As a child this is very scary. After a blood transfusion and colonoscopy I was diagnosed. I was so lucky to be put in touch with my current doctor as he has been so helpful and followed me into adulthood.
I felt so guilty at the time, as I was in a hospital 2 hours from home, while my dad was battling cancer at home. It was a tough year and I was hospitalized twice, and on a combination of different drugs, and my dad lost his battle.
I felt so guilty at the time, as I was in a hospital 2 hours from home, while my dad was battling cancer at home. It was a tough year and I was hospitalized twice, and on a combination of different drugs, and my dad lost his battle.
My childhood wasn’t typical, being in a hospital
and visiting doctors so often
trying to figure out UC as a preteen is quite difficult.
The summer before I was to start university I was hospitalized with a bad flare. That is when I started on remicade, and it has been a miracle. If I feel myself getting sick, I will have an infusion and am usually better in a matter of days.
It has been very hard growing up while dealing with UC, along with the hard times of being a teen/young woman. I found it difficult to explain to friends and boyfriends why I was always sick. I was lucky enough to find my soul mate who is beside me every step of the way, and understands as best he can the challenges I face.
I have learned how lucky I am to have such supportive people in my life, yet how alone one can feel when battling this disease. I sometimes worry about the future and what it will bring, but I try to wake up every day and tell myself I can do this. I figure, if I’ve been through this for 10 years already I can do it.
It is difficult growing up with UC, but I hope that I can be of some reassurance to others, as to it isn’t always bad, and it is possible to enjoy life with UC.
Colitis medications:
Imuran
Remicade infusions
Iron Infusions
Remicade infusions
Iron Infusions
written by Brittany
submitted in the Colitis Venting Area
I was diagnosed at 10 years old with ulcerative colitis, I’m writing this story 10 years later. I live up in Ontario Canada and currently I’m a student.
