Женщина из Лондона делится историей борьбы с болезнью Крона и советами по ранней диагностике

AT 19, Kelsea Lindsey should have been enjoying university life and looking forward to the future. Instead, back in 2010, she found herself in and out of hospital, dealing with seemingly endless sickness, pain and exhaustion while specialists searched for answers. “Because I was a young woman, doctors initially thought it might be something gynaecological,” Kelsea, a Senior Executive Assistant from Croydon in South London, recalls. “I had severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, mucus in my stools and terrible back pain. The pain was relentless, and I struggled to eat because I couldn’t keep food down. “My symptoms weren’t typically what people expect, but a friend of mine had Crohn’s Disease and kept saying: ‘This sounds like Crohn’s.’” Six months after her agonising symptoms began, Kelsea was referred for a colonoscopy, which finally gave doctors the answer they were looking for. It was indeed Crohn’s: an incurable Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) causing ulcers and inflammation in the gut. Kelsea still vividly remembers the moment when she was told the news that would change her life forever. “Getting the diagnosis was scary, but it also meant we finally had answers and could start treating it,” she says. “I was quickly put on medication, and a plan was put in place for surgery, which went well. I naively thought that would be it, and that I’d then be in long-term remission.” Journey But one of the hardest things about Inflammatory Bowel Disease is the unpredictability, as Kelsea has learned only too well over the years. “It’s had a huge impact on my life,” she says. “I had to leave university before finishing my degree, stop working for periods of time and was registered disabled. I also developed severe perianal Crohn’s Disease, which led to more than 20 operations, including emergency surgery. It was one of the most difficult parts of my journey, both physically and mentally.” One of the operations Kelsea underwent was an ileostomy, where the end of the small intestine is brought to an opening in the wall of the tummy. It means you no longer poo out of your bottom, and instead your waste goes into a stoma bag, which you have to change. Faced with this huge change, Kelsea decided humour was the best option and that if she was going to be carrying a bag around with her all the time, she might as well go “designer”. She named her stoma “Jimmy” as in “Jimmy the poo” rather than Jimmy Choo. “It wasn’t something I ever expected to have at 24, but it gave my body the chance to heal when my Crohn’s was at its worst,” she says. “The first few weeks were tough. However, once Jimmy and I got into our rhythm, I realised I could do everything I could before.” Life-Changing Kelsea has since had her ileostomy reversed meaning she no longer has to wear a stoma bag. “Today, I’m in remission and not currently taking medication, although I’m monitored regularly,” she says. “If I need treatment again in the future, I’ll happily take it. Staying well is always the priority.” Getting that Crohn’s diagnosis 16 years ago undoubtedly changed the course of Kelsea’s life and meant she had to make unexpected adjustments, but things have turned out well. She is now working in a career she loves with life going from strength to strength. As for the advice she would give others? “Don’t let your diagnosis become your identity,” Kelsea says. “When you’re newly diagnosed, it can feel like your whole world has changed, but there really is light at the end of the tunnel. “IBD is something you live with, but it doesn’t have to stop you living your life. Build a support network, involve your family and friends, and connect with organisations like Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Knowledge is power. Learn as much as you can about your condition, ask questions and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Every person’s experience is different, so it’s important to understand what works for you.” Working with the charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK has enabled Kelsea to meet friends who understand exactly what she’s going through and that, she believes, makes a huge difference because nobody should feel isolated. In fact, around one in every 120 people in the UK lives with either Crohn’s or Colitis (the other main type of IBD) – so the chances are you know someone affected. “There are so many unknowns when it comes to Crohn’s and Colitis, but we do know that the sooner someone is diagnosed and starts treatment, the better,” says Pearl Avery, IBD Nursing Lead at Crohn’s & Colitis UK. CROHN’S AND COLITIS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW More than half a million people in the UK live with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, the two main forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Over 25,000 more are diagnosed every year. Crohn’s causes inflammation in your digestive system – anywhere from your mouth to your bottom. Meanwhile, in Colitis, the inflammation and ulcers are in your colon or rectum – the last bit of your gut. There’s no cure for Crohn’s or Colitis, but there are lots of treatments available including medicines and surgery. Here are some of the key symptoms to look out for: • blood in your poo more than once • needing to poo urgently including waking up at night to poo • diarrhoea • unexplained weight loss • stomach pain • tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest (fatigue) “That’s why it’s so important for all of us to pay attention to our bowel habits and know about the warning signs of Crohn’s and Colitis. It might not feel like the most natural or comfortable thing to talk about, but it is crucial that people don’t let embarrassment get in the way of asking for help if something’s not right. “Many of Kelsea’s symptoms weren’t typical, but there are some warning signs you can look out for including blood in your poo (more than once), urgent and frequent diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, joint pain and fatigue. If you’re at all worried then there’s a really handy symptom checker on our website – www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk – it takes just 30 seconds to complete and will give you advice on what to do next.” Hopeful Looking ahead, Kelsea says she feels hopeful: “Treatments continue to improve and, while there will be challenges, you can still have a fulfilling career, family life and future. “Crohn’s has shaped who I am, but it doesn’t define me. I have a career I love, I volunteer for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, and I enjoy supporting other people who are navigating life with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. “If sharing my story helps even one person feel less alone or gives them hope for the future, then it’s been worthwhile.” To find out more, check out the Crohn’s & Colitis UK website which is packed with information and resources. You can find it at www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk or scan the QR code on this page to take you straight there.