Bag, baby and bravery – Kate’s story
I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis in 2015. At the time, I experienced a major flare that almost resulted in surgery. After a few difficult months, I started on infliximab, which helped me into remission. Over the years, I have switched between different biologic medications due to ongoing side effects from each.
In 2023, I stopped all medication under the guidance of my gastroenterologist after developing vasculitis, which may have been caused by the biologics. I unexpectedly fell pregnant around this time and chose to continue the pregnancy without medication.
Everything progressed well until late in my third trimester, when I developed a severe chest infection. Shortly afterwards, I began to flare.
Just weeks after giving birth, my flare worsened significantly, and I stopped responding to medication. It quickly became a life-threatening situation which required emergency surgery to remove my entire colon. I now live with a permanent ileostomy.
Recovery was difficult, especially while navigating new motherhood at the same time. But one year on, I’m healthy, active, and grateful to be here. I used to see stoma surgery as the worst-case scenario—but it truly isn’t. I wish I’d known back then just how much life was still possible after surgery.