Learning To Live With Ulcerative Colitis

Despite my struggle with UC, I consider myself truly blessed. I know that God would not put so hard a burden on me that He knew I could not handle. I count the positives in my life, and understand I could have been dealt far greater problems. I am strong, in every sense of the word. My parents instilled that strength and confidence in me, yet they worry about my health more than I do. I accept things as they are. I accept that I have UC, and that I have to wake up and take several pills every day, even though I hate medication. I accept that despite being in my mid-20s I have annual colonoscopies. I accept that I have to get bi-monthly blood labs to be sure my medicine isn’t affecting my liver. I accept that I often have to pretend I am okay because I can’t continuously cancel plans, or miss big-moments. But what I forget sometimes is that this isn’t normal. I forget that other people, besides me, care about me and I need to manage that. UC has become such a part of who I am, that when people ask me if I’m feeling okay, it takes me by surprise to remember that I’m very sick.