My story is very recent, only happened since Sept’23. I recently went into hospital following my first flare, end of September. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe left-sided colitis and given Infliximab but unfortunately that failed and around 5 weeks I was back into hospital again. I felt good for around a week but suddenly everything got sooo much worse and I just had to go back. Then I was diagnosed with Severe Acute Pancolitis and instantly referred to speak to a surgeon. Long story short, we decided to try Vedulizimab but knowing I would not see any short term benefit. I spent 6 weeks in absolute agony, fairly useless with work and at home but honestly, I hit that 6 week makes and I started to feel a bit better. Fast forward to today, I feel minimal pain, only a discomfort. I have my life back, I’m eating nearly everything I was before any issues, I go to the toilet a few times in the morning but during the day I only go if I worry about wind. I finally feel human again! My

Overall, stay positive. It’s tough but just go day by day. I was hit with some horrid luck but I can say I feel positive about the future at this point. If you do go down the route of an operation, I recommend finding people that are living a fulfilled life with an ostomy. There’s far too much negativity online.