Introduction:
Hola! My name is Isabel! I was born in Mexico City but raised in the Bay Area (California). I am a 29 year old female, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis almost five years ago after giving birth to my beautiful son.
Symptoms:
Getting Ready For Colon Surgery:
I have been thinking of sharing my story for a long time. But, honestly I didn’t know if I could put into words what it has been the last five + years…
I was 25 years old 5 months pregnant when the “symptoms” started. It was Christmas day 2006 when I first saw blood in the toilet. Being pregnant (and having had two miscarriages prior) I got really scared and immediately went to the emergency room. I followed up with my OBGYN the following day and he prescribed me fiber thinking it could be constipation. Symptoms started occurring, at the time I thought they were just part of the pregnancy. Urgency and bloody diarrhea along with constipation became more prominent. My son was born 4 weeks early. My body seem to go back to normal after giving birth for a few months. Until, I went back to work. The stress from the new baby, work and life in general brought on a flare. I was admitted into the hospital. I had a blood transfusion and a colonoscopy. Diagnosis:Ulcerative Colitis.
At the time for one reason or another I was in denial. I thought that whatever I had It could be controlled, it had to be controlled. I was young, and in my mind young people don’t get chronic conditions. All of my energy and attention was concentrated on my son. When I was with him nothing else mattered, I didn’t matter. I felt great! Prednisone was the greatest thing ever! Or so I thought! Until… We discovered that after tapering off I became ill again. going to the emergency room several times… reality hit! UC was here to stay and wasn’t going anywhere. I found myself in this viscous cycle, I felt trapped and alone. I have lost count of the times that I had to be in the emergency room due to my symptoms. I build a love and hate relationship with prednisone. 5 years later present day, with countless trips to the ER 3 hospitalizations, I started remicade (had one infusion in December 2011) and I am faced with surgery on March 19, 2012. To this day, it has been the most toughest decisions I’ve had to make in my LIFE!
Ulcerative Colitis has changed my life incredibly. It has affected all aspects of my life. And that is why I am putting all my hopes in the Jpouch surgery. I want my life back! I am sick and tired of feeling sick. I am tired of living with the uncertainty, the depression the loneliness. Tis disease has taken 5 years of my life. It has taken time away from my son. It has stolen the opportunity for my son to have a sibling. Although, I have a wonderful husband who has been there for me in every step of the way I don’t want to continue like this!
I have UC but IT does not have me.!
On the positive side, UC has taught me that I am really lucky. That I have my soul-mate by my side who has been there for me and our son. That I am strong. That things happen for a reason. That after what I have been through, nothing seems impossible. That life is full of challenges, you take them and move on to the next one. That living with uncertainty makes you cherish the littlest things. That life is a B#&$ but I am a bigger one! (Literally with prednisone I have gained so much weight haha) For those who are out there, recently diagnosed or who happen to read my story. I want you to know that you are not alone. We are in this together. I have hope that soon someone will find a cure!
That I admire each and everyone of you because I know how hard this disease can be. And together let’s spread awareness. So we can start talking about poop without being so ashamed of it. Everyone poops!
Now my next challenge is surgery. I am scared to death. There’s days when I wake up and I ask myself if I am making the right decision. But, I have to make peace with UC. It has been my best friend for way too long.I hope everyone out there keeps me in their prayers on the 19th, because the power of prayer makes miracles happen!
“Waiting for the rainbow after the storm…”
written by -Izzy
My current Ulcerative Colitis medications:
Tappering off Prednisone before my surgery, currently on 5 MG
6 MP
1 Infusion of Remicade
Multivitamins
Hi, I’m Isabel, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis after having my son a few years ago. I was born in Mexico City, Mexico.
