Ulcerative Colitis — that’s me. You may be familiar with this disease, this whole tale might not be news,but instead just another twist on what you already know. UC has ruled my life the last six weeks or so. Prior to that is been a minor issue, lying quietly in the bowels of my body, in remission through daily drugs. This particular flare up started Mother’s day (May 08). First, I tried diet management and then doc began treatment with a low-dose Prednisone after several weeks but it late. He added in antibiotics which helped significantly with subsiding symptoms and we started to taper off the preds and increase the therapy drug Azathioprine. He did a flexible sigmoidoscopy on June 3. Result, precancerous cells and polyps were removed and he urged surgery for removal of the colon. In the meantime, the flare up took serious hold of body and being. Racking me with pain, depression, anemia and dehydration. I reported the ER for the second time in as many weeks only to be admitted to hospital. I have been here five days. Next steps include surgery for removal of the colon. I am under terrific care at Virgina Mason Hospital in Seattle. The plan is to release me tomorrow and go home and try to build up strength in every way to prepare for surgery.
