My Ulcerative Colitis Journey: When Life Changed!

Time for another blog post and this one is all about my journey with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and how sudden and life-altering it was for me.

Back in 2008, at just 17, I had barely even heard of this condition. Yet, within a matter of months, UC completely transformed my life, bringing me to the brink of survival and forcing me into an emergency surgery. I woke up in a world I never expected — living with an ileostomy bag and trying to come to terms with a new reality.

Looking back, it’s still hard to believe how rapidly everything happened. One day, I was simply dealing with what I thought were typical stomach issues. The next, I was waking up with an ileostomy bag — grateful to be alive, but in complete shock over what had just unfolded.

It all began with mild symptoms that I brushed off at first. I’d noticed blood a couple of times when I went to the toilet, but being 17, I thought I was untouchable. I assumed it was nothing more than haemorrhoids — after all, it couldn’t have been anything worse, right?

Along with occasional cramps, bloating, and changes in my bowel movements, I just put it all down to something minor.

When I finally went to the doctor, they initially thought it was a stomach bug. I was prescribed some tablets to settle my stomach, but they had the opposite effect. My symptoms grew worse, and soon enough, I was in the hospital for further tests. I spent about a week there as they tried to figure out what was wrong. Unfortunately, during that stay, I caught a severe hospital superbug at the time — C. difficile. The combination of C. diff and Ulcerative Colitis was a recipe for disaster.

At first, an X-ray showed that while my colon was inflamed, it was still in decent shape. But only a week later, everything changed drastically. My colon walls had become so thin that they were on the verge of bursting. I was now fighting for my life, with doctors telling me I had only two hours left to live without emergency surgery. I found myself being wheeled down to the operating theatre, unprepared and in shock.

I woke up to a new reality — alive but changed forever. My colon had been removed, and I was now living with an ileostomy bag. It was overwhelming, to say the least. I had no time to process the change or prepare myself mentally. I was grateful to be alive but grappling with the shock of my new way of living.

The first days after surgery were challenging. Physically, I was sore, exhausted, and adjusting to the reality of my ileostomy bag. Emotionally, I was dealing with fear, confusion, and uncertainty. Thank God for my family because I don’t think I would have carried on if it wasn’t for them! This felt like a death sentence at the time. This is why I speak so much about my story online because I never want anyone to feel as lonely as I did!

While I adjusted to life with an ileostomy, I began to realise how lucky I was. Ulcerative Colitis doesn’t always progress so rapidly, but in my case, the speed of my symptoms meant that I was fortunate that I didn’t suffer long-term pain before diagnosis. At the same time, that rapid pace left me with little warning or time to prepare.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how little I knew about Ulcerative Colitis, even after I’d started experiencing symptoms. At 17, I had no idea that something as serious as UC could happen to me. That’s why I’m sharing my story — I want others to be informed and vigilant about their health.

UC symptoms can sometimes seem minor or easy to dismiss. But if you’re bleeding when you use the toilet, if your bowel movements have changed from your usual pattern, or if you experience bloating or prolonged abdominal pain, please get checked. These symptoms might seem minor or temporary, but they can also signal something far more serious.

My journey with Ulcerative Colitis hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful for the chance to share my story. I’m committed to spreading awareness, breaking the stigma, and showing that life can be vibrant and fulfilling, even with an ileostomy bag.

My life may have changed overnight, but I’ve found new strength, resilience, and purpose through this journey. I hope that by sharing my experience, I can encourage others to prioritise their health and not ignore the warning signs their bodies give them.

If my story resonates with you, or if you’re experiencing symptoms that seem “off,” please remember getting checked might just save your life.

I really hope that if anyone is having any worries or knows someone that may be shy or keep quiet about their toilet habits – that they always know they can reach out and ask me ANYTHING!

Until next time!

Nathan 😊

If you’re concerned about Ulcerative Colitis or want to know how to spot the symptoms, check out the guide to Ulcerative Colitis on the NHS.