Let’s welcome this weeks warrior, Clemmie!
            
Hi, I’m Clemmie! I live in the UK – I grew up in the countryside in Hampshire but now live in London with my husband where I run my international clinic from.Â
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis back in 1999 at the age of 9. I had been experiencing symptoms (diarrhea, urgency, blood in poop, weight loss, fatigue) for a few months before I told anyone. I didn’t know what was happening and I think I was a bit scared. My Mum then found out what was happening when she found blood in the loo and I was quickly rushed to the local doctors then straight to hospital. After that the diagnosis was pretty quick and they started me on all sorts of treatments to try and get the disease under control. Unfortunately, none of the treatments worked and at the time there weren’t the biologic drugs there are now so there were limited options. Once we had tried them all with no success the only option was lifesaving surgery.
I was very unwell – I only weighed just under 3 stone (19kg) and had to be stabilised (stabilized) in hospital for a week on IV nutrition before they could operate. I had my entire large bowel removed and lived with an ileostomy bag from the age of 11 to 18 when I then had 2 more surgeries to put my plumbing back together! I have now lived with an internal structure called a J pouch for nearly 14 years.
I don’t remember much of life before my diagnosis as I was very young but I would say it’s shaped but life in both good and bad ways. Although I am in surgical remission there are still symptoms I experience and I have to look after myself in order to feel my best. This involves being careful with what I eat, sleeping, resting and moving, as well as having fun!
A disease like this pushes you to your limits both physically and mentally and it’s made me realize I am stronger than I ever thought possible and I can do anything I put my mind to. It taught me that life is incredibly precious, to live everyday to the fullest, to grab every opportunity, to see the positive in every situation, and to be kind and compassionate. Despite the horrors I have experienced with it, part of me is glad I have IBD – it has shaped me as a person and has shaped my career which is the most rewarding career I could ever wish for – helping others with IBD too. You are not alone. Get help with your diet and lifestyle as it can have a HUGE impact on your quality of life with IBD alongside your medication – I discovered this far too late in my journey having taken my doctors word for it that diet doesn’t make a difference but that couldn’t be further from the truth (and the research proves that now!).
I have made it my life’s mission to help everyone with IBD to know and understand that, to feel the benefits and to live a better life as a result. I love to walk and climb hills and mountains in Scotland – I grew up spending my summers up there and I am never happier than when I am out on the hill or on top of a mountain! In fact, my husband proposed to me on my favourite mountain in Scotland called Quinag. Â
           
Thank you so much for sharing your story Clemmie! Be sure to give her a follow in IG @clemmieolivernutrition