Intro:
Hello, My name is Andrea and I was diagnosed with UC at the age of 11 this year 2014, I will be 41. At the age of 18 I had two surgeries where most of my large intestine was removed leaving a small section to act as the reservoir. Through the years I’ve been dilated and in 2007 surgery to remove scar tissue which caused a blocked bowel. Because UC was something no one talked about I thought living with basically the same symptoms I had before surgery, some bleeding, bloating, bowel urgency was just the way my life was going to be for the rest of my life. In November of 2013 I finally reached a breaking point I couldn’t handle the pain, achiness, the random fevers, the bleeding. I called to schedule a scope and because I like to be somewhat awake the doctor told me the colon that was left now has ulcerative colitis. Here I am today awaiting another scope appointment with a new doctor. This time with research on the internet I feel not so alone.
Some more about me:
It’s so hard to write about myself, I’m from a small town in Kansas. My graduating class was just over 300 and that was a big class. I have one beautiful daughter who has given me the newest love of my life Carter my 18month grandson, I’m so crazy about him! I could go on and on about him but I guess it’s me you want to hear about since i’m the one UC. OK i think i’m loosing up a lil. I do like to dive, I’ve dove the Cayman Islands most recently Roatan, Honduras. My next dive hasn’t been planned yet any suggestions?
Symptoms:
Currently Knock on wood everything is GREAT! But the last to weeks were HELL! Pain in my rectum, my gut, bleeding, tiredness, I missed one day of work to sleep, the achiness. I had to take myself to the diet I’ve relied on for years and that’s the white rice, white bread, egg whites, crackers, and water or aloe water.
Holding it In
Doctor visit’s never go well for me. I break out with red blotchy skin on my neck and chest which is hard to hide, my blood pressure is a little on the high side, my pulse races and I become this chatter box that i’m not normally. it’s quite funny because I’m a dental assistant and know i’ve become my worst dental patient. I just changed doctors and I’m pretty sure this is the one. I knew it when he ASKED if he could examine me, but what came out of my mouth without thinking NO! He then say’s how about if I examine you the second I hurt you I stop. I thought not only did he ask but he said he’d stop if it hurt. Now I’m awaiting that dreadful scope procedure sad face, sad face.
Right now I am only using over the counter medication Advil for aches, Imodium AD for only when I need a break from the bathroom. I find half a tablet is okay. I’m trying Turmeric with Bromelain daily. L-Glutamine here and there mostly when I’m out of Turmeric. I juice twice a day nappa cabbage, carrots and apples. I read cabbage is good for the digestive system. I like juicing because It makes me feel good that i’m getting nutrients and having things I couldn’t normally eat. I do throw smoothie’s in the mix. I drink mostly Aloe water and some raw coconut water. I’d liek to start probiotics, that’s next on my list of things to read on this website. My solid food still needs help, I can’t digest raw fruits and vegetables, that’s why I juice. I steam the crap out of my vegetables and use the juice in a smoothie. I eat mostly steamed vegetables, a starch plus meat. I wish I liked more fish but I’m not. I hope I can ge t some feed back on my diet, that would be great.
After thirty years with the effects of UC I’ve learned to thank my body for bringing me this far in life. I’ve had plenty of days, weeks, months were it was hard and have needed therapy along the way. I’m thankful now with just a click away I have the support I need.
Ask Adam:
“I don’t have any questions right now, but I do want to thank you for starting your website and sending email to encourage me to tell my story. Which I’ve never done on the internet by the way for the public to read.”
written by Andrea Garcia
submitted in the colitis venting area
I was diagnosed with UC at the age of 11 this year 2014, I will be 41. At the age of 18 I had two surgeries where most of my large intestine was removed leaving a small section to act as the reservoir.
