IBD, surgery and acceptance: Jess’ long colitis battle

About this episode

Jess shares her journey with ulcerative colitis, including her diagnosis, struggles, and the impact of stoma surgery on her life.

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jess, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 32 after years of being told it was “just IBS.” What began with mucus, bleeding, and exhaustion quickly turned into a relentless cycle of flares, medications, and uncertainty that took a serious toll on her mental health. Diagnosed in adulthood and facing worsening symptoms every year, Jess talks about steroid dependence, failed treatments, chronic fatigue, and the constant fear of when the next flare would hit. She opens up about hitting a breaking point, spending weeks in the hospital, and ultimately undergoing stoma surgery after exhausting every other option. Now living with an ostomy, Jess shares how surgery gave her back her energy, her identity, and her life. From struggling to even look at her stoma to building a support group for others, her story is raw, emotional, and deeply hopeful. A powerful reminder that what once feels like the end can become a new beginning. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

People in this episode

Host: Franck Tabouring

Guest: Jess

Topics covered

• ulcerative colitis
• surgery
• mental health
• chronic illness
• ostomy
• personal story

Keywords

• ulcerative colitis
• IBD
• surgery
• mental health
• chronic fatigue
• ostomy
• flare-ups
• support group

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Colitis Unfiltered

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