“I know now that I am stronger” – Trish’s story

Trish shared her story a few months after completing the Gold Coast Marathon in July 2024.

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I was diagnosed when I was 15.

It feels like it happened over night. One minute I was fine, then I was going to the toilet 10-plus times a day. I would eat and immediately have to go to the toilet.  Due to my age and the rapid weight loss I was experiencing, my parents thought i had an eating disorder. They couldn’t believe I needed to go to the bathroom so quickly after eating.

I grew up in Ireland and it took me over six months to get an appointment with a specialist.  I am very fortunate that my parents had private health insurance.  It took a bit of time, but I was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This diagnosis changed to Crohn’s Disease. I am fortunate that my dad has colitis. He was a huge help when it came to understanding what was going on.

Following the diagnosis, I had access to a gastroenterologist and that was about it. Looking back, I should have been offered support from a psychologist and a dietitian. So many times, I was told that my symptoms weren’t related to food, which I do not believe to be true. About 25 years on from my diagnosis, there is so much more education and assistance available to people.  Here in Australia, I think we are taking care of well and are provided with lots of treatment options.

Now aged 40, I feel I am the healthiest I’ve ever been and am more in control of the disease. I follow a healthy diet, and have an active lifestyle, which has made a massive improvement to my health and wellbeing.  I’ve reduced my alcohol intake and do most of my own cooking.

Running has become a new outlet for me. 

Exercise has been a big part of my life since Covid-19.

During lockdowns, I decided to make the most of the extra time I had. This started with a yoga challenge and slowly progressed to working out. Each week I felt my energy improve, and I felt I was in a better head space, which reduced my stress as well. I don’t think I realised that –with all these little changes to my lifestyle — I was feeling less bloated, i was going to the bathroom with healthier regularity. My sleep was so much better too.

I started running about three years ago. I couldn’t run 10 minutes without stopping but, with the help and motivation from my husband, I signed up for my first half marathon. 

Over the last three years I have completed two half marathons and one full marathon and have booked my next half marathon in November. I run three to four times a week, with some of my runs lasting over three hours. I’ve found this to be great for my mind, but it definitely can take its toll on the body. I have learned that listening to my body is a priority. I need to rest when I am tired and fuel my body with good food. I am fortunate that another passion of mine is cooking so I cook all my food fresh and find alternative recipes to make sure the food I cook healthy and delicious.

The main thing I’ve learned in running marathons is that I’m more than my disease.

Sometimes you can let it take over your life and at times life can feel quite dark. I’ve spent time hooked up to a drip to take Infliximab and feeling sorry for myself. I’ve also been airlifted to hospital because I’ve suspected a bowel perforation.

I know now that I am stronger. I will have bad days as well as great days — and the good days generally outweigh the bad. Keeping myself healthy for myself and my family is number one. I have also learned that letting others help me and support me is not a sign weakness.

We are very fortunate to have so much information and medication options available to us.  Listen to your body and trust your instincts. as you will know what works best for you.

Everyone has different symptoms and different triggers so find out what works for you.