Lana 
Lana's Story
Lana, Age 24
Well, I'm not exactly a child, and I didn't exactly grow up with IBD (at least, I wasn't diagnosed with it growing up), but I do have a story to tell.
I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in September 2003, just before my 23rd birthday. I was prescribed Asacol and steroid enemas, given very little information on the disease, and went off thinking that this was something that would go away, kind of like the flu - some flu it turned out to be!
In December 2003, I entered my first severe flare. I was hospitalised for 5 days before Christmas and treated with IV steroids, which seemed to bring it under control. I was released on the 23rd of December on oral Prednisone, only to become really sick again by that night. I went back into hospital on Boxing Day and on New Years Day, after 5 days of IV steroids with no improvement in my symptoms, I underwent a colonoscopy. This revealed that my colon was in fact very close to perforating. Emergency surgery was discussed, however the medical team wanted to avoid it if possible. Luckily after about a week, I showed enough improvement and the doctors then spent the next few weeks trying the available medical treatments. However, none were successful and on January 28th 2004, I had a total colectomy and ileostomy.
Addendum: diagnosis was changed to Crohn's during this time period
I recovered well from this and was soon back at work and into my other activities. Unfortunately though, the disease returned in the rectal stump in April. Again, it was particularly aggressive and didn't respond to steroid enemas, so the decision was made to go ahead with removal of the rectal stump and anal canal, making my ileostomy permanent. This surgery was performed in July (after being postponed a few times due to Azathioprine-induced neutropenia), and once again, I recovered well and quickly.
I am now healthy and right back into work. I have been snowboarding, waterskiing, playing soccer, doing pilates, and even completed a 10km run/walk for Breast Cancer. I have also moved in with my partner, who I met just before my second operation, and we are very happy together. My life has changed completely in the last year, but I would have to say that it's changed for the better.
So much for that flu though!!