Today is the start of Chron’s & Colitis Awareness Week (December 1-7).
You may have heard of #irritableboweldisease which is vastly different than #ibs.
I never knew of either until I became seriously ill after running a 36-mile ultra marathon to the top of Haleakalā followed by the Honolulu Marathon months later.
What I’d thought was a bout of eating some bad shellfish turned into 10 days of non-stop vomiting and shitting blood. 🩸🤢🤕
When the GI Doc gave me my a ulcerative colitis (UC) diagnosis, I was in my late 20s; had just found my inner athlete in the triathlon world and was deep in my food and exercise addiction. I told myself “He got it wrong. I’m Uber fit!” and I left his office never planning on returning UNTIL…
I had another full blown flare that required lots of medicine that began with my very first dance with a high dose steroid called Prednisone.
After that initial visit, I never was able to find remission.
I spent over ten years being on medication only to have every single one be unsuccessful.
If there was a Pill, a Shot or an Infusion available, I was on it.
As I became sicker and more desperate, I spent thousands of dollars out of pocket trying holistic alternatives. No matter how crazy it seemed, I paid to do it.
And so when I was left with having to make a life or death situation of colon removal surgery, TBH, I was ready.
I was becoming a hopeless, depressed shell of myself. I was exhausted at living. I wanted to stop living.
When time came, I decided. I could either wallow in misery or take my life by the reigns.
I wanted to LIVE and to inspire others that when there’s will, there’s always a way!
Oprah Winfrey said “Turn your wounds into wisdom” and that hit home for me.”
We are NOT our illness! 💪🏾
Thank you MOST to my husband @808lekeli who has loved me unconditionally through it all and my therapist for holding a safe space for me.
There’s no cure yet, but staying positive and prioritizing our health is important.
If you are going through it, keep going. ❤️🩹 And if you are struggling, I’m here to chat with you!
#ulcerativecolitis #chronsdisease #ostomy #ileostomy #honolulupersonaltrainer
