Cath's Story

My name is Cath and I am 31 yrs old. I was born with ulcerative colitis which was not correctly diagnosed until I was 3 yrs old.

All of my childhood was a collection of steroids, hospitals, diets and pain. At the age of 14, it was decided that surgery was the only option because cancer was a threat, so in I went and 3 operations later I had a J pouch.

At first it was very sucessful but after 3 years it perforated and almost killed me. A further 3 operations later, I now have a permanent ileostomy which has taken me a long time to adjust to - it's been 11 yrs now.

It has scarred me mentally more than physically and it's only recently that I have decided that I deserve the best for myself. The greatest fear has been dating and physical relationships, but I honestly think that it's mainly in my head how bad it is and not in others.

I am determined that it will not stop me from having a full and happy life. I have been given several chances of life so I must be here for a reason, just like all of you.

...Cath

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