Brett's Story

Over the past year I have had mysterious bowel symptoms that got worse and worse. After endless testing, I was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The doctor ran through the normal order of medicines and each one failed in turn as my symptoms continued to progress. I was having bloody diarrhea up to 25-30 times a day. I could hardly leave the house and I was up every hour over night. I accepted my daily new normal as I prayed for for medicine to finally work. This continued for months as I developed pain that got more and more intense.

In April, I stopped being able to eat, finally went to the ER, dealt with debilitating pain and on April 23 I was hospitalized. The doctors continued to throw every medicinal solution at me with the hopes of turning the tide but my condition seemed to be too far gone.

On April 30, my bowels perforated and I was rushed to emergency major surgery for the first time. They removed my colon and I received an ileostomy. I worked to recover but a week later, on May 7, I was rushed to surgery again as some of the remainder of my bowels ruptured. I am currently still in the hospital recovering, hoping to be cleared to go home soon. I've lost 80 pounds at this point with 50 coming off in the first month i was in the hospital. I think I've put a few pounds back on.

I've had my fair share of setbacks since the surgery, which continue to keep me at the hospital, but I have faith that it will pass soon. I am looking forward to getting home and starting the next phase of my healing, in preparation for the remaining surgeries. I can't wait to gain my weight back, gain my strength back, and start to feel like myself again. I know it will be a long hard road, but I've got the determination. It's just a matter of time.