Recently there has been a fair amount of recognition in the media and on social networks regarding the woman Bethany Townshend and her picture with a colostomy bag. It really is a great picture and you can find one news coverage of her story here: Townshend story
I definitely don't think that inflammatory diseases get enough attention. And I also understand why. Who wants to talk about their problems with gas, diarrhea, blood, or pain? Most of the time when you hear anything about these types of issues-it is through a commercial with someone in a restaurant or other public place; their thoughts are voiced often along the lines of "Will I have to go home early?" "Will I be close enough to the bathroom?" "Will I make it through this?". And then it is followed promptly by a drug advertisement.
But recently, thanks in most to the woman I mentioned above, there has been a new face to the inflammatory diseases. It seems there has been more movement with women (and men) coming out with pictures of them and their colostomy bags. All of them standing proud to show they will not be won over by their disease. It is definitely empowering and moving to see this type of response. I hope it continues and brings more attention to this chronic condition.
I know a thing or two about this being diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis myself. It is not easy to deal with and at times is a constant struggle. Lately, it has been debilitating in how it is interrupting my training and my life in general. Sometimes those advertisements are right: you do constantly worry about what you will feel, or how something you eat will react, or when your disease will flare up. I am still learning how to manage my nutrition, training needs and medication so that I can move forward without pain or without many symptoms. Let me just say, ironman training has been interesting. The last two weeks particularly difficult as I have been dealing with a flare up (that's UC talk for when symptoms are really evident). I don't think I would be making it through this without my friends or support. For those of you reading this, seriously: thank you.
It's strange to think I will be living with this forever. I think there are times anyone with any type of chronic disease that will *never* *go* *away* thinks this. I am not sure if science is anywhere near finding a cure, but in the meantime, it is medication and nutrition that will be fueling managing this for me. And if I am being honest, I do worry that I will end up as one of those with a colostomy bag. I do worry that my disease will progress and shift into something worse. I do worry when I hear statistics that link inflammatory diseases with colon cancer. But I try not to let it stick into my mind and I try to stay focused on what is right in front of me.
Today I can say my GI feels good. It might not be like that tomorrow or the day after, but for today it feels good. I train according to my body and I have to really start keeping that in perspective as I move forward with some really heavy Ironman training loads. I will be tracking my nutrition, cutting out those foods that seem to trigger symptoms and working with my specialist on what is best for me medication wise. And that is all I can do for today.
I encourage anyone who wants to know more or who wants to help out in the quest for a cure to locate their Crohn's and Colitis Foundation chapter and see how to get involved. In the meantime, I will be out swimming, running and biking until they do.
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