Jos 
Jos's Story
Just Another Face in the Crowd
Jos, 23
I never thought I would be dealing with chronic disease, but who would? I can remember sitting on the toilet tummy in pain asking my mom not to go out since about 8 years of age. My sister and brother used to think I was such a baby and just guilt tripping my mom since I would magically feel better shortly after.
Through high school, I started to notice increased bouts of diarrhea and strong urges to go to the washroom. Being interested in medicine, I researched and felt that I must have IBS because I did not want to do the 'test' (colonoscopy) to be diagnosed with IBD. It was a dumb thing to do. I graduated high school and went away to university. I noticed a few times through out my first year some blood in my stool, but it would go away so I was not concerned.
The first week of my second year greeted me with lots of bleeding, cramping and diarrhea. I knew this was not IBS and made my way to an old family friend who happened to be a family doctor. She right away referred me to a gastroenterologist and a sigmoidscope was set up during my first class of the year.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis and told to take 6 asacol tablets daily. I had no idea what I was in for nor did I realize this was a chronic condition with so many other problems associated with it!
My first year was great; I was put into remission and did fine minus experiencing nausea for the first time and having difficulties remembering to take my meds.
During the summer, I had yet another flare which was complicated by antibiotic associated UC. I was put on prednisone for the first time and it took me a year to get off finally with the help of enemas and being threatened with stronger drugs or surgery.
I had yet another wonderful year... never felt so good. However, I developed a chronic fissure that lasted until I stopped my enemas! I flared again in the summer of 2004 and after heavy steroid use, we opted for imuran. I'm happy to say that I've been in remission now for over a year!
Despite all these ups and downs, I always look to all that I've accomplished despite this disease trying to pull me down. I've graduate from university with my honors in Genetics and I'm working towards becoming a medical doctor, I've got great friends, a wonderful boyfriend, and have had incredible volunteer and work experiences.
I always wonder why me, but always come back to the same conclusion... I can handle this disease and it will only make me more empathetic towards my patients and a stronger person to face whatever challenges I may need to face in the future.
It may constantly feel like a storm is brewing, but storms always blow over!