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Wednesday 16 January 2013

Ulcerative Colitis - Goodbye



 
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Something I have realised: Ulcerative colitis; It’s in the past for me now.

Yet people I haven’t seen for a long time will ask me “… and how’s your . . .” then mouth the word tummy. I understand that people are genuinely concerned and wishing me well. But I moved on a long time ago now. Sometimes I even wonder why they are asking such an odd question. I can even admit to you, dear reader, that I find it slightly irritating, despite the very good intentions behind the questions.

Gone are the days when I spent hours worrying about my diet, or even whether I should eat at all. I no longer worry about where the nearest lavatory is.

OK sometimes I’m a bit self conscious of my physical form, but even that I can lve with. Before the surgical removal of the colon and the creation of a stoma I thought it was something I would never be able to live with. But I can, and it’s alright.

Diagnoses was frightening, living with it was difficult, treatment was radical and full of fear, but even in the depths I found there was something valuable to be learned there.

The causes of Ulcerative Colitis seem to as mysterious as they where in 1997, and the experience, signs and symptoms are still just the same. I’ve been disembowelled, and I have “moved on”. It’s in the past; it’s total and complete.

Have I been defined by it? Maybe a little too much, and it occurs to me that I am complicit in that by, amongst other things, writing this blog.

I was lucky. I didn’t have Cancer and this is not so bad by comparison. I feel that perhaps I have come to the end of my commentary.

So until something that is relevant and worth reporting comes along I wish you health and happiness and, finally, leave a link to another blog that I hope you may find of interest: hypnottik.blogspot.co.uk

Be well.

Roger

7 comments:

  1. Roger/Arkers, you cavalier of illness and treatment, you pathfinder for those looking to come through it and find more peace of mind and mental security - I'm very pleased you feel thus. Your blog must surely have been enormously useful and helpful to those with the condition, but I take it as an excellent sign that you feel that's over and done with. Hooray! Iechyd/health/peace.
    love from
    Gloria

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    1. Thanks Gloria. It was very useful for me.

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  2. I'm so happy that you have come to the point that you can move to the next chapter. You were a great support, and even this farewell post is highly relevant because it shows that the thing I was horribly scared of for my future is really no big deal. The biggest thing I can say I've taken out of reading/writing/living the subject is my compassion for others and the understanding that things aren't always what they seem on the surface for anybody. Thanks for the rich material you always brought about. I will be sure to lurk around on your other site, so you haven't seen the last of me!

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    1. Hello Whittles! THANK you for your kind words. hopefully this blog can still be a support to battered, bruised, and curious UCers.

      So glad that I haven't seen the last of you.

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  4. Ah, I'm, so sad to see you go...but eventually we all move on....hope all is well with you...I will sorely miss your blogs

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    1. Paula

      I have not gone completely. If I experience something that merits mention I will be back.

      Writing this blog has been very helpful and a happy experience for me. "Meeting" others on a similar journey has helped me along my own. That means YOU.

      It is not Goodbye, but Au Revior

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I'm always interested to hear any thoughts or stories of your own. Please do comment.