Maureen L. Akins
Hometown: Kent, WA

With pride and a sense of accomplishment, I recently celebrated my 60th birthday, a milestone that seemed distant and jeopardized when I was diagnosed with UC at age 39. My sudden and distressing symptoms soon accelerated to a severe flare.

I lost 12 pounds in two weeks, and struggled with the notion that this painful and, in my mind, demeaning condition would be a fact of my life henceforth.

Looking back now, it’s clear that I was fortunate to have the guidance and management of an excellent and compassionate gastroenterologist, the benefit of modern pharmaceuticals, the ongoing research devoted to curing UC, and the support of my terrific family.

In the last twenty-one years, I have raised three children to adulthood, worked for an elementary education endorsement, taught primary ed for the last eleven years, and involved myself in civic, church and union activities. Life continues to be full and rich, and with meds, attention to good health, and efforts to maintain balance, I expect to extend my current four-year remission and keep my
colon for a long time.

Having UC has not been without problems. It is a distinct challenge, but my story is proof that it is only a challenge, and life is ever so much more powerful than UC.

Elizabeth Camp
Hometown: Concord, GA

I was eleven years old in 1985 when diagnosed with UC. My disease was so advanced that within a month of being diagnosed, I was hospitalized, receiving a unit of blood per day, unable to eat, and so weak I could not walk unassisted. I weighed just over 60 pounds. My doctors felt that surgery was the only option. After several surgeries to completely remove my large intestine and create a J-pouch, I resumed a normal life. I grew up! I graduated from college, became an emergency medical technician and actually worked as a medic on an ambulance helping people when they needed it the most. I even carried and gave birth to a beautiful 7 ½ lbs baby girl at age 27. Having UC certainly changed me as a person. The experience gave me an insight that can only be gained through struggle and despair. The colors of the world are more vivid. How thankful I am for every day. I am an optimist. After all, I am a survivor.

Pamela Jefferson
Hometown: Carthage, IL

Yes, there is life outside the bathroom! For three years I felt as if my life centered around where bathrooms were located in malls, churches, and friends’ homes. Often I felt panicky when going out to eat for fear of not finding something my system could tolerate. Medication such as Prednisone caused unpleasant side effects. My face puffed out, my joints hurt, and I constantly felt wired. Worst of all was the fear of having an accident and the embarrassment that would follow.

With the help of my gastroenterologist I learned as much as possible about UC or “ugly colon” as my family called it. I also learned – and it was a process – what foods I could eat without triggering an episode. Fortunately, I’ve only had one hospital stay in my 15 years of diagnosed UC.

At the current time I am symptom free. The only medications I take are a low dose of mesalamine, calcium, and a multivitamin. I am a wife, mother of three, grandmother of three absolutely adorable grandsons, second grade teacher, and am active in church. The keys for living with UC are prayer, education, eating right, exercise, and a good sense of humor.

Patty L. Kunze
Hometown: Cape Canaveral, FL

From crawling to the bathroom at 4:00am to sleeping until noon on weekends…From a menu selection of five items (mostly beige) to preparing my own healthy meals (mostly Asian) and not being frightened of restaurants….From an annual visit to the emergency room interspersed with tests and changing meds to an annual checkup just to be on the safe side…Less than eight years ago, life wasjam-packed with doctors’ visits, exhaustion, stress, pain, and worst of all, uncertainty about the future. Since finally discovering a pharmaceutical/herbal regiment that works, combined with a more effective diet and exercise plan, my story has changed – for the better. Now, instead of being a UC patient first and foremost, I’m thankful to say that I’m a National Board Certified 8th grade Language Arts teacher who plays bass and trumpet in a band… who recently finished writing her first novel…who goes contra dancing on weekends…who enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring with friends and family…and, who just so happens to have ulcerative colitis.

Shervin Shafa
Hometown: Raleigh, NC

My battle with ulcerative colitis (UC) began as a teenager while in college. Diagnosed at this young age, I was stigmatized with having a chronic illness. Nevertheless, I became very impressed by the doctors who cared for me during that difficult time. They listened to me and respected my needs, and I continued to be impressed by their care through times of good health and also during disease flares. It was from these interactions that I longed to become a gastroenterologist, not only to help heal the sick, but also to
educate and even to prevent illness.

Despite the hardship, I have learned to adjust my lifestyle and cope well with UC now in medical school. I am currently in my final year and will soon embark on residency training in the field of combined medicine/pediatrics. I will use my training to become a specialized gastroenterologist for both children and adults. I hope to help many young patients diagnosed with UC, like myself, transition to adulthood and lead successful lives. As a physician with UC, I will relate better with my patients and will continue to use my story to motivate, inspire, and encourage in health, education, and disease prevention!

Tracy Habenicht (Friend / Family)
Hometown: Plainfield, IL

Success is often defined as the completion of a long-term goal. But as my good friend has shown me, success can be found in seemingly small accomplishments.

Keith was diagnosed with UC shortly after Labor Day 2007. Although he had a 103 degree fever and frequented the bathroom 20 times a day, he still commuted to work by train and bus -neither of which had a toilet. After Keith’s first hospitalization, during which his doctor told him UC patients have an increased risk of colon cancer, he gave up meat, except fish, a significant decision for a person who considered buffalo wings a delicacy.

A typical 20-something guy, Keith surprised me by taking responsibility for learning about his disease and for seeking help when he needed it. He read books about UC and about dealing emotionally with a chronic illness. And he confided his doubts and fears to me. Each weekend became a celebration as he tapered off his Prednisone by 5 mg. And yes, even each bowel movement was a kind of success, as first the mucus and then the blood disappeared.Even in the midst of a frightening time, Keith showed me that small changes can mean big success.

Robert A. Brown, R. Ph (Healthcare Provider)
Hometown: Cambria, CA

A friend, named Rachel, was having excessive bowel movements, nausea, headaches. As a young girl, this condition was affecting her social life. I told her to see her doctor. Rachel has been taking mesalamine for a year, and the medical condition of ulcerative colitis has greatly improved. Rachel has a new boyfriend and moved to Denver, Colorado. Rachel thanked me in a holiday card.

Bob Brown, R.PH
Purdue-‘51