Jasmine’s Story

Being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was 19 years old was not at all on the life bingo card. After being unable to wait any longer for a gastroenterologist appointment due to sudden intense pain and decreased quality of life, I was hospitalised after presenting to the emergency department where I received my diagnosis.

It was confronting to feel out of control of my health during my late teens, and as an avid planner, I felt that my life was slipping out of my control. Following my diagnosis, my disease fluctuated terribly, and we were unable to get it under control with medication. I have since had surgery to get a J-pouch, which was the only solution offered at the time to relieve me of severe symptoms and improve the below zero quality of life that I had. Since this, my diagnosis has changed to Crohn’s disease, but biologic medication is working very well to keep my disease in remission.

Although my IBD experience is in many ways an exceptional case, it has made me stronger with a newfound appreciation to be healthy and in remission, even if surgery was required for me to get there. I believe that it taught me an important lesson – your life cannot be planned, and your health is fleeting, so enjoy the present day because it’s all you’ve really got. I live a beautiful life; I work, study at University, and do all the normal things someone in their 20’s would do. I am passionate about improving the psychological support systems for consumers experiencing health challenges and I hope to take this into a future career as I train to be a psychologist. Volunteering at CCA also helps to fill this cup. My J pouch nor Crohn’s disease does not hold me back, ever!