Let’s welcome this weeks warrior, Sarah!
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My name is Sarah & I am 32 years old. I live in Leicester, UK.
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis which is a form of inflammatory bowel disease. I was diagnosed 14 years ago when I was 16 years old. Ulcerative colitis is an incurable but sometimes controllable disease with lifelong medication. In 2019, unfortunately all medication stopped working for me & I had to have emergency surgery to have my colon removed, leaving me with an ileostomy bag.
I started having symptoms when I was 15 years old, these were diarrhea, blood in my stools, urgency, stomach pain and weight loss. I kept this a secret for around 5 months, but I got so unwell I was admitted to hospital and diagnosed within 2 weeks.
Life with ulcerative colitis was awful, it was a life that was controlled by the disease, daily pain and diarrhea. Sometimes I would be in remission, but I could instantly change to a flare up overnight. I had to take daily medication, moving onto injections and then IV drips in hospital but all medication failed. I then had to have emergency surgery to have my colon removed leaving me with an ileostomy.
Since then, my life has changed SO much for the better. I feel so well now & in control. I am so proud of my body now & everything it has been through. It has handled this disease for so long & then handled emergency surgery & I now have a new lease on life.
Since my surgery, I have been taking the time out to find myself and come to terms with the change in my body. Throughout 2020, I had been thinking about how I could reach others for people similar to me to have a platform to ask questions, see people similar to them, and know things are going to be okay. In July 2020, I created an Instagram account for all things stoma and ulcerative colitis related. I cannot believe the positive response I have had. I am a very honest and open person and I feel if I had had someone similar to myself before my surgery, then I wouldn’t have been so scared or waited so long. My Instagram is @positively_stella
Since my surgery, I have felt the most confident and body confident I have ever felt and this is all because I feel well. I would massively encourage anyone who has been feeling scared or unsure about any form of surgery to speak to people in similar situations and ask questions. SO many people out there are there for you and you will not be alone.
An ileostomy has allowed me to really enjoy life now. Prior to covid I enjoyed traveling abroad a few times a year and I’m excited to get back into that now covid is hopefully settling down.
I coach cheerleading which I love, I have done cheerleading for 21 years now, it is part of my life.
I also enjoy fitness and it’s great to be able to do exercise now without pain or worrying I’d have an accident.
      
      
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing and inspirational story Sarah! Be sure to give her a follow in IG @positively_stella