I have Colitis. Well, I had Colitis…. weird – it’s the first time I think I’ve actually said that and it really now is just sinking in. It’s gone. No more 7 pills with breakfast or night time bathroom trips. No more knowing exactly how many bathrooms are in a 5 mile radius of me at anytime. I couldn’t begin to recall the countless times I cancelled or ignored plans because of the fear of having to go to the bathroom. It is no way to live life. I am going to forego explaining the actual disease with the hopes that if you are here you are already familiar with how the disease affects the body. There are loads and loads of blogs and stories of how people, “beat colitis with surgery.” This blog is no different. Well, let me re-phrase that. It is different. Because it is my story. There are no absolutes and I can’t claim to know exactly what you may experience. I searched high and low for a story that would tell me exactly what I wanted to hear before I went through with surgery. That there would never be a problem again. That sure, it’s a surgery, surgery is tough, but fight through recovery and you’ll never regret it. Let me save you time. You’re not going to find that blog anywhere. But how could you? What happens when we die? Are there aliens? You’ll never get a straight answer. That frustration, the fear of the unknown, is the only reason you still have a colon. My goal after you read this is simple – if you are considering surgery, if you’re on the fence, if you’re young like I am and think something like this will ruin your life, I want to be another nudge in the direction of, “dude, your life can be better….your life can be much, much better.” So if you don’t want to read on, if the whole process doesn’t excite you, then just stop now with only this advice – do not wait. Begin your research, find a surgeon, and get surgery now, before you put any more serious medicine in your body. Before another blood transfusion or before the prednisone withers away your bones and causes other long term problems you can easily avoid. Yes, for a few weeks life will suck. You will cry once or twice, and you’ll probably wonder more than once how it’s possible for some people to go through their whole life completely healthy never having to deal with something like this. Which leads me to something I wish I didn’t have to say but is too much of a truth too ignore. Everyone has something to deal with. It’s said too often but only because it’s an obvious truth. Life is life. It sucks. It’s hard. It’s stressful. But it’s life. So if you have any interest in being happy, and doing things you love with the people you love, than why not do it as healthy as your body can possibly be? This is just your special thing. And it will change your life. It will make you stronger. And it’s real shitty (I swore I wouldn’t use poo puns) but it’s true, this will make you a new person. A better version of you. I promise.
So without further ado, let me go empty the poo out of the bag hanging off my stomach, and get this show on the road.
Flared 
I love you and your story so much Matt and you put it beautifully. You made it funny and yet very inspirational and so true at the same time. Yes, there is a sign of hope in Colitis when you have surgery. I truly know how long you have been suffering from this disease, a very, very long time. I only love it because it has a happy ending and I am so happy that you will not have to suffer anymore. I know a lot about Colitis as my nephew has it and my other nephew and I have been battling with IBS for a very long time. Not as nearly serious as Colitis but I suffer in silence. I know all about poo and being near a bathroom at all times and not being able to leave my home for days. It consumes my life style. I am just so happy that you my sweet Matthew will have a long happy and healthy life. You are in my heart and prayers every single day.
With Love,
Wendy xo
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Matt, you’re the shit!!!!
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Matt,
this is great writing and I know how much writing this helps with your journey. I know because I too wrote
a story of the journey I went through 12 years ago ( time will fly by) If I can fine it I’ll share with you, not on your blog but on your email
Dennis
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You are an impressive young man, Matt. I admire your courage, honesty and tenacity. Of course, as an “auntie”, I might be a bit biased, but I don’t think so!
Pat
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Matt, Thanks for sharing your story. So many people, most really, don’t know what having colitis is like. Your explanation is clear and very readable and funny! No medical journal jargon. You have been to hell and back and will surely help others find the courage to face this and move forward. Love your honesty and humor. You continue to be in my prayers. Barb
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Matt, This is fascinating. You are a multi talented individual. Not only do you smash a long ball off the tee, but you have a great gift for writing. Your blog will definitely help those who are dealing with colitis and colon issues, but it will also help educate those who are not. After reading your blog I have a much better understanding of what you are experiencing. Keep on blogging and I hope to see you on the golf course soon.
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Found your blog while poking around on the CCFA young adults thread.
After about 8 years, I think I’ve finally reached that “fuck it, I don’t want to live like this anymore” point and wanted to see what other people are doing. I’m 27, too, and just started a round of prednisone for my latest Crohn’s flare (though “flare” is a bit of a misnomer because it almost implies there are times when I’m not inflamed.) I’m on a last-ditch effort right now – a new doctor just started me on Methotrexate and I’m beginning Humira (ew) in a couple weeks.
Feeling achy which sucks because all I want to do is play basketball, hike, camp, well – I’m not picky at this point. Long story short, wishing you the best and hope it only gets better as you recover. Mostly in a non-selfish way, but also because if I don’t show significant improvement within the next couple months I’m in line for surgery, too. Apparently I’m a cancer risk etc. (doctors are so dramatic).
I look fine, have a great job, new apartment, but it kind of feels like the weight of the world is on my shoulders and everything is going to come crashing down if this surgery thing becomes anymore real. Always thought if it became a necessity I’d at least be married/have a family first (really related to that part of your blog). Just typing this feels like an out-of-body experience.
Anyway, this is as much a comment on your story as it is giving you mine too. Thanks a lot for writing, keep it up.
-Your newest sh*thead (Emily)
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Thanks for writing. Always nice to hear from someone who I know can relate to what I’m going through. Never quite made it to the Methrotrexate, that was the next on the list before surgery. Don’t get down if surgery ends up being the next option for you, you’ll be glad it’s all behind you when it’s over, and be stronger because of it. Feel better, and feel free to reach out if you need to bounce off some thoughts with someone you know “feels your pain.”
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Hi Matt, thanks for sharing your story. Agree with the previous commenters – your story makes a disease that few people understand accessible. Best of luck in your recovery.
My name is Chetan and I am an MIT student working with a team to create a new product that may help patients with UC better anticipate and manage flareups. We are very early stages in terms of developing a product/service, and are looking to talk to patients with UC to better understand their journey, pain points, and perspectives on what might be helpful. I know you no longer have colitis, but if you have time we would love to talk. We hope the interviews will help us build a new useful product. Please contact me at cjhaveri AT mit DOT edu if you are available for an interview. Also, if any readers of this blog have UC and would be willing to speak with us, please feel free to reach out using that email address. Thank you!
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Hi Matt!
I know I’m a little late to the party here, but I just came across your blog the other day, and I just wanted to reach out to say that I loved reading this. I am 22 years old, diagnosed with UC when I was 14 and was in remission for years and then went into a flare my sophomore year in college and ended up having to come home and have been struggling with it ever since. I just switched doctors who gave me a few options, surgery being one of them, so I have been doing a lot of research and finding your blog has been awesome. I actually started blogging about my journey with UC when I came home from school just as an outlet and the name of the website address was life-takes-guts.weebly.com, so when I saw your website I thought it was kind of perfect. Thank you for sharing your story. You have brought some light and laughter to what seemed like a lose lose situation. like I said before I’m reading this a while after you posted this, so I don’t know if you will see this, but either way, I just wanted to say hi and thank you! Hope you are doing well!
Nicole
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Nicole, sorry to hear you’re going through that. Thanks for the kind note, I’m glad you found some relief in my story. Surgery is never an easy decision, though two years later I can say without a doubt I’m a new man. It feels great. No pain. Nothing. You’d never know. Sure, i go to the bathroom a little more than most, but it’s a small price to pay. If you have any questions or need someone to vent to, don’t be afraid of reaching out.
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mobile
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paradigms
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Philippine Peso
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copying
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Portugal
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Mandatory
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