Joe K. used to suffer from Ulcerative Colitis. The disease became so debilitating, he had to have reconstructive surgery to take out his colon, add in a "j-pouch" and essentially re-route the way his body gets rid of waste. Even after all the surgeries, the struggles and the flare-ups, Joe's been able to achieve some great success! Read about it in his own words below.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 10 years old. UC is a disease of the colon which causes it to become fibrous, have ulcers and leasons, inflamation, and well...it's like having diarrhea all the time. Luckily, for me, it would flare up for a year and then go into remission for several years, then flare for a few months then into remission, etc. In 2000, it flared up, would NOT go away, and every drug they gave me I had a reaction to. One medication cause me to throw up for 3 days straight! On the first day I was 215 pounds and when they weighed me again at the doctors I was 194! Down 21 pounds! I do not recommend this form of weight loss. 
I got better but never got well, if that makes any sense. In January of 2004 they discovered several areas of mild dysplasia - not cancer yet but it would become cancer and go straight to the liver. So I had to get this surgery. It consisted of 2 rounds - first, to create the pouch and second, to reconnect the plummbing! I had to have a bag on my side for 10 weeks while everything healed up - not something I want to do again
It affects my workouts in no way, shape, or form! When I started I was concerned about doing ab and core excercises, but you don't know until you try! I'll never have classic abs because of the nice scar I have starting from just under my ribcage, but I think it looks worse to me than anyone else! I'm a huge proponent of "There is no can't, only try."
Life is good. When I had Colitis I had to know where all the bathrooms were! Now, I can go anywhere, do pretty much anything - except go back to learning some martial arts - getting pummeled in the stomach area has lost its allure! Also, I have no food restrictions now. With UC, I had certain foods I could not eat or drink because they would just set me off. Now it is all good! And instead of looking at doing things and thinking "I can't make it through that," I think, 'That looks like fun!"
I've done Turbo Jam, P90X, Insanity, Asylum, RevAbs, Tai Cheng, Les Mills Pump, and now I'm doing another round of P90X which I'm calling P90MX - Monster Xtreme - all slow count, all heavy, all the time - with Insanity, RevAbs, P90X+, and LMP Combat thrown in on conditioning days. Why? I can! And it will keep me busy until I get my pre-ordered copy of Les Mills Combat!
Now - I feel great! I'm 52 years old and feel like I'm in the best shape of my life. I've lost 43 lbs and have gone from a 44" waist to a 35"! I often say I'm 52, feel 22, and act 12! I just realized, also, that I'm in great shape for a 50 year old then thought, "I'm in better shape than most 40 year olds! And 30! And probably (and sadly) 20 year olds!"
Truthfully, I am 100% better than I was.
You are inspirational ! Like you, I had UC from the time I was 12… earlier this year, I had my colon removed and j pouch created… I had my ostomy for about 5 months, but that was because I was waiting on the birth of my first grandson and didn’t want to be recovering from my ostomy take down. He was born in July of this year, and I had my take down last month and am recovering from that… still trying to get everything stabilized, but getting there!
Mary! There’s nothing we can’t do! Take it easy and recover…truthfully it took me a year and a half to feel like myself but now, for both of us, the sky is the limit! And congrats on the youngster!
I came across your study and want to say thank you, I have had UC for approx 30 years..have bee in remission for the last 20 years. I had my colonoscopy last Feb and they found lo grade dysplasia and said I would have to get everything out and get a bag. I was devastated. I never felt better in my life and now it was all going to be taken away. After seeing 6 different doctors, I talked them into j pouch whih is ok but have been told there might nit be enough intestines to make j pouch and I will be going to bathroom 4=7 times a day plus all the complications. My mood when straight down,,,why is this happening when aI have my life back and not suffering from the severe pains I hardly remember from years ago. I am 64 and doctors said it is difficult operation…anyhow, thank you for sharing. Joannie
Joan, I go to the bathroom 4-7 x a day! It’s not debilitating. As far as complications, everyone is different but I’ve had none to speak of, knock wood! Remember also, that when you go to sites or pages its been my experience that the majority of posts are from the people having the most problems! For example I know a Facebook page with almost 400 members but the core posters are about 15 poor souls who are suffering. So keep your chin up! Don’t think the worst already!
Man, you are a true survivor! So glad to know ya! And unless you had said, I would’ve never guessed in a million years you were 52. Wow!
Yes…I am adorable! Thanks, Andee.
Great story brother! Way to hang in there an make the difference.
Thanks Sean. Figured I better get vusy lifing or get busy etc etc!