My story

  Well my name is James I was told I have Ulcerative Colitis back in 1997 at the age of 25. I problem had it my entire life. After spending a month with side effects from the disease. I had gone from a 217 lbs to 174 lbs in less than a month my so called Family Doctor was at best "lost" to what I was going through. We went through a battery of test for cancer to a two dozen blood work test. Then it was to the point where I was so sick I couldn’t even move without assistance, did the doctor performed the first colonops. And found what he said at the time was Crohn’s and Colitis. Well after spending a week in the hospital, I was able to get around on my own I spend the next month trying to recover from everything I went through. Now my so called Doctor never explained my condition to me and I spend several years in and out of different doctor’s office and ER's. It was a nurse who finally answered the biggest question of my life, "What is it that I have and how do I take care of it?"   Well after that I have gone through a number of "flare ups" and in to the Hospital once since then. I have worked for the past 18 yrs as a Firefighter and moved through the ranks and spent the last ten years as a Captain. Now that my disease, (Disability under the Jan.09 ADA act.) I am forced to retire. I am looking forward to start a new life outside the Fire Department and I believe that this Forum will be a HUGE asset in my life thanks for your time and your support!