Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, observed from 1st to 7th December 2024, is a crucial time to shed light on the challenges faced by those living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, the two main forms of IBD, affect over 500,000 people in the UK alone. These chronic conditions cause inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, and weight loss.
The impact on daily life can be profound, affecting not only physical health but also emotional well-being and social interactions.
Raising awareness is essential to raise understanding and support for those affected. Which is why Chloe Dixon, Pay & Bill Administrator at Cpl UK, wanted to share her story on living with a rare form of Crohn’s disease while navigating adulthood, to making the life-changing decision to live life with a feeding tube - 4 years later, Chloe is passionate about spreading awareness and helping others living with chronic conditions.
Please take some time to read Chloe’s story below:
I’ve suffered with Crohn’s disease coming up to 5 years being diagnosed at just 18 years old. Not only was I entering adulthood learning about the world and responsibilities but also learning how to navigate life with a chronic disease. It took me years to be diagnosed and for a time I was a complete mystery as every test came back normal, until one endoscopy where it revealed I had Crohn’s disease in my oesophagus. Oesophageal Crohn’s is a very rare form of Crohn’s disease which causes inflammation along the oesophagus, narrowing the width. Over time the inflammation turns to scar tissue which has a very sticky outer layer, and ends up causing strictures. The only thing is as oesophageal Crohn’s is so rare treatment is not only limited but also really dangerous as there is no room for error.
After just 10 short months of being diagnosed with Crohn’s my ability to swallow declined rapidly, I couldn’t eat any foods or barely sip water. The inevitable happened and I was rushed to hospital where they ran every test possible, I had three strictures along my oesophagus completely stopping anything going down.
After a really hard and long conversation with my gastro team and my mum on the other side of the phone, I agreed to have a feeding tube. Having to navigate such a big decision alone due to lockdown felt awfully scary. But on my 19th birthday in 2020, I was given the best gift there possibly was and that was my feeding tube.
Four years later, I still have my feeding tube which has changed my life for only the better. The sad reality is without it I wouldn’t be here today and that alone makes it all worth it! All the things I once thought were impossible for me to achieve, my tube has helped me make every one of them things become my reality.
But I want to leave you with this: from my picture, from bumping into me on the street you wouldn’t know my story. Crohn’s disease affects you everyday and changes your life completely, but yet it is invisible. You can’t see every disability but it does not mean it doesn’t exist. Respect everyone, be kind and spread lots of love! Happy Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week 2024 💜