Meet Rebecca of @bodybydesign_rs
In the first lockdown I started bleeding from the rectum when going to the toilet, I called the doctors and they told me to take laxatives as I was “constipated” – after taking them for a month nothing was improving, I then got referred to the gastro team and had multiple tests done to be diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 3 months later.
I was put on multiple different medications over the year and nothing was helping my colitis, I was just getting the side effects of hair loss, sickness, migraines, etc.
This year I got admitted to hospital with a flare up, after being in there for a week I got let out with infusions. This wasn’t working & was affecting my work very badly. I’m self employed and my ability to work to my full potential dropped dramatically. 2 months later I got admitted back in as this also wasn’t working. This is when I got put in for an emergency surgery of an ileostomy.
A year of having the disease to then be put in for surgery is a very short period of time, so this all came as a shock. But I am so grateful for it to be under control and for my better quality of life.
I’m awaiting another surgery to remove a 10.5cm cyst on my ovaries, my abdominal surgeries aren’t over yet, but we’re still fighting & I’m proud to walk freely with my bag. It gives me life xx