Being Diagnosed With Colitis

If you have been reading my "Katie Health Update" post you would of know I have been having bowel problems for a long time but I never really went into too much detail. Without sounding gross its hard to explain bowel problems as you can imagine to be honest. 

A bit of a background.. I was diagnosed with IBS many many years ago so always suffered with bloating and had to watch what I eat ect then about 3 years ago I started getting other problems which in those 3 years its results in me having three operations, treated for various things and being put on many treatment/medication but still nothing seemed to help. In January of this year I had an operation which I wrote about HERE. During that operation a few biopsies was taken and I didn't really think much about the results as I have so much other illnesses going on that I didn't worry at all. On 20th February, I went to see my Surgeon and because I've not got any answers for years I simply didn't expect any news. Mr George (my amazing specialist) just came out with it but Im glad as he didn't beat around the bush and literally explained everything so simple and clear.. He diagnosed me with Colitis. I finally got the answer I've been wanting for so long. I now can rest knowing they know the cause to all the pain and trouble I have suffered with. You can click HERE to learn more about what Colitis is as to be honest I still don't know much about it but basically Colitis is inflammation of the inner lining of the Colon. It is such a relief to finally know the reason to all my symptoms over the past few years but its a weird feeling as I slowly begin to realise that this is a long term illness and treatment will be needed for a long long time. I've been given Asacol and seeing my specialist again next month to go through things properly and put a proper treatment plan into plan. 

image from pinterest 

So it is a weird feeling of being happy you finally got diagnosed but then also confused and sad about what the illness actually is. Having Ankylosing Spondylitis (I done a post HERE explaining everything) was such a shock that I've sort of became used to being told crap things about my health. Having a Chronic Illness it sort of makes you stronger in a weird way, I feel like I've put up with some much crap from people and so much pain than I have made myself more strong and I don't give a crap about things I use to worry about now. I suppose it hasn't really sunk in yet and maybe I should be worrying alot more than I am? Chronic/long term illnesses makes a MASSIVE impact on yourself and feelings, my head is always all over the place. I never know what to say, do or feel and guilt is a massive part of my life at the moment. Guilty for feeling ill, for being in pain and for moaning..  I always think I shouldn't moan as Im lucky to be alive?! Arghhhhhhh am I the only who feels alot of emotions and guilt about having illnesses? 

Love Katie x 

Katie's Health Update #4

Can't believe it is nearly a month since I done my last health update here. Alot has happened in terms of health wise since. So I was meant to have an operation on 24th December 2014 then it got moved to 7th January then on 18th December the hospital rang me saying they have an cancellation on the 22nd December but in another hospital but I accepted the date and was nervously worrying. Also Bella wasn't born then so I was praying and hoping she would be before my operation and luckily she was :) 


so I arrived at Wexham Park Hospital at 7am which I have been many times before but they have changed the way they do things so I was in the Females ward and you basically sit down in a waiting room, no family allowed to stay and your called one by one to see the nurse, doctor then anesthetist. It was weird because my other operation you are put into an ward and have own bed and get into gown asap but this was different. It was so busy and I  had visions on being last on the list but I was one of the first to be called to the nurse who check my blood pressure ect and the I saw doctors who talked me through the operation then sent back to wait, I thought Oh god here we go, I will be waiting forever so I got my notepad out and starting writing and then the anesthetist called me. Then back to waiting room, and again I was called quickly to measure for stocking ( so unattractive looking haha) then into my gown and dressing gown and told someone would be down soon to collect me. It all happened so quick I can't even remember what time I went down to surgery it was all a blur but after two hours in Recovery I was discharged and home by 1 pm which I was so impressed by.   

Sexy stockings//OUCHH//Home and cuddles with Buster

I was very sleepy and weak over the next few days to be honest. The Anesthetic takes a few days to get out of my body and generally felt sooooo tired. This operation was to do with my Bowel so I had alot of tummy ache and not being allowed to eat certain food which I still can't eat. When I finally started to feel okay it was Christmas day and I planned to stay at home but there was an extra place at the meal my Family was going to so I went to get out and I felt okay considering it was the first time out since operation. Although I couldn't eat most food and the glass of rose made me feel sick, I had a good time. We all went back to my Nan's house after then back home to watch Eastenders and back into bed. It wasn't til few days after I realised I've eaten all the wrong foods and done too much as I felt so ill and stomach killed. While all of this was going on I still had and suffered with back pain and I STILL haven't heard from specialist GRRRR.


So the operation itself went okay and done what was meant to do but they found bleeding which they don't know is coming from and think it might be my upper stomach. On 27th December I found out I had to have another operation ASAP and a blood test. I had the blood test on Monday just gone and got the operation on 29th January so not long. This operation is abit different and recovery is alot different and worse so Im not looking forward one bit to be honest. I didn't expect to even have this other operation as I thought the one on 22nd December would be it for along time. I've gone past the angry stage and now just am preparing myself for it. 



I wish I had a good update lol but things have been put back now. But there is nothing I can do than just wait and hope this operation finds out where and why Im bleeding ect. I shall of course do another health update maybe after or just before my operation. Im seeing my GP on Monday to talk about some medication ect. Shall as always keep you update :) 


Love Katie xx