Hi, my name is Alexis, also better known as Ethan Paris’s big sister. I am fundraising on Ethan Paris’s behalf as he embarks on a frightening, yet brave, journey towards healing.

You may not be aware, in December of 2024 Ethan was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis (UC) that was effecting his entire colon. He was healthy living his life traveling, enjoying nature and living his life to the fullest as most 21-year-olds would be. He suddenly became ill and it took six emergency room visits and six days in the hospital for doctors to finally determine what was making him so sick.

Since then, Ethan has tried many types of treatments including medications and infusions that his body has rejected. Throughout trying the different treatments he continued to enjoy his life even with the constant pain he was experiencing.

Ethan was admitted into the U of Iowa and went through several testings. He was there for 10 days where they tried various types of treatments that his body continued to reject. It was determined by his GI team that he had the option for surgery or to continue to try other treatment options which they did not believe would be affective in controlling his symptoms. At 21 no one wants to make that big of a life changing decision. After reviewing all of the options and backgrounds of doing surgery or other treatments, Ethan decided to proceed forward with surgery.

Ethan was then transferred to Mayo in Rochester where he spent the next seven days at. During Ethan’s time at Mayo he underwent a major surgery having a total colectomy, his surgeons removed his entire large intestine. Ethan now has an ileostomy bag that the doctors and nurses have trained him how to use, and slowly he will be reintroduced to food again.

After a few months of healing, Ethan will go back for his second surgery, this time for ileoanal anastomosis surgery (also known as J-Pouch surgery). At this time, they will take his small intestine and create a new digestive tract. Ethan will need to recuperate again, only to months later go back again for the final surgery, where they will hopefully be able to reverse the ileostomy bag and allow the J-Pouch to take over.

2025 is going to look very different for Ethan. These surgeries and the months of recovery that follow will impact his primary income as he is unable to work during the process of his medical journey. All money collected from this Go Fund Me will pay medical bills, monthly bills, and for basics for Ethan. Ethan and his family would like to thank everyone from the bottoms of their hearts for all the love and support that everyone has already shown to support Ethan through this time.