How to Deal with the Many Life Changes an Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis Brings

When I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, many things in my life changed instantly. I could no longer eat what I wanted with reckless abandon. I could no longer be more than a few minutes travel away from a restroom. I had to come to terms with the embarrassment that would certainly come from the condition that would undoubtedly befall me in public restrooms. I had to be honest with those closest to me about what I was going through. And I had to deal with the statistics about the increase risk of colo-rectal cancer that I now had, including his frightening descriptions of what that would entail later in my life. I was seventeen.

At this point in time, my outlook on life changed. I became much more of an adult. I was forced to take responsibility for the way I was treating my body, and begin making more conscious choices in regards to how I was going to keep myself healthy. I came to understand that this was now up to me, and that I couldn't rely on anyone to take care of me and make me feel better.

In a way, I also began coming to grips with my own fragility and mortality. Here I was, seventeen, headed to college and invincible, being told by my gastroenterologist that there was a high likelihood that I would end up with no colon and a colostomy bag. Oh, great. I had to recognize that I couldn't take my own health, or really, that of those close to me, for granted.

I went through a quite long period of sadness and depression in regards to my newly diagnosed condition. I did the whole "why me?" thing for awhile. But it came to the point for me where I could either continue to wallow in my own unhappiness, or I could face what was happening to me. I chose to face it.

And what I cam out with was a new appreciation for the little things. Hey, I went a day without my stomach hurting. Hey, I figured out a way that I can still eat my favorite food. Hey, I have a fiancé who loves me no matter what digestive problems I might have. I found joy in the small victories, and in the hope that I could one day make my condition go into complete remission. And, as it happens, I did. I figured out that my body was no longer able to handle the digestion of meat, which is actually one of the most difficult to digest foods. So I stopped eating meat. I feel great, and my outlook changed once again. I was empowered by the fact that I did indeed have control over my own body and health. I could change my circumstances, and I did. And it felt good.