Shalonda’s Story

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 17 years ago after the birth of my second child. At the time I didn’t realize that I had been having the symptoms of UC for longer than that. At the time of my diagnosis I wasn’t able to afford the treatments to help with my disease so I suffered for about 14 years. I missed out on so much with my kids because of UC and all of the horrible effects from the disease.

I finally got a job with great benefits and started taking IV medications but because of my previous health issues I was limited to which medications I could take safely. None of them were showing signs of my UC getting better so after several conversations with my doctor we decided the best course of action would be to get an ileostomy. This was an idea that did not come to me easily. But the last time I was in the hospital before surgery I honestly thought I was not going to make it out of there. I had so much swelling in my digestive system I couldn’t eat or drink. So once I set aside my fears of having an ostomy I agreed to have the surgery.

It has been 3 years now and I have finally gained a quality of life back. I can do all things I was unable to do because of my severe UC. I’m not tethered to the restroom anymore. I am free to live life again and enjoy it. The sky is bluer, the grass is greener, food taste better now. I am so happy I decided to save my life. Also, with the help of Na’scent I wear my ostomy bags with a little more confidence now too!