Medical students visit today at my home.

Sounds great (and interesting..lol)! looking forward to hearing how it goes.

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Oh I didn't realize they'd be coming to your home! That's interesting. Looking forward to reading how it all went.

Ok everyone hes a wrap up of the meeting with the meds students.

First of all 2 preppy tall englishmen. One looked like Prince Harry and the other one like Harry Potter. Not kidding.

The meeting was to find many sides of living with a chronic illness.
They asked me questions about medication and how it influences my health.
Asked all about symptoms, side effects... you know the story.

Asked a lot about social life, support from relatives. They were very keen on knowing how on a day to day basis a chronic condition can influence your quality of life. It was really nice to share that with future doctors.

Told them about how long it took for me to just accept my condition. That a lot of poeple have a denial period. And that can lead to undermedication or isolation. And lying. I learned to lie with colitis. I learned to make excuses. Well any stupid stories, any rude run away but never i would have told the others of my condition.

They asked if I get support from relatives and if I tell my condition at work and so on. Told them I wouldn't tell poeple that I don't know well about it. Including my work. I talked about how our condition is a bit misunderstood and most poeple are creeped out about the details. And there is always a bunch of them that implies that we must have done something wrong with diet and it can be reverse at one point if we change our diet.
The students were stunned about this fact. Cause obviously they know it;s not our fault. But I felt it was important to share that with them because all of those perceptions can lead to isolation.

Told them it can be disastrous for dating as well. Especially when you are in your 20s and new to uc. Not a lot of young males would be compassionate about it and still find you sexy and datable! I refused lots of dating opportunities in my 20's.

Told them that it can be very embarassing and you stop doing things by fear. Fear of having an accident, fear of having to be looked at because you don;t want to eat or drink at a party, fear of having a wet fart during intercourse.

Told them about this forum. I directed them on the website stating you have a more personal point of view from patients from any chronic condition. They seemed interested... Told them also that UC sufferers can be very well informed about study and treatments and what's around. Mainly because there was so many unanswered questions and so many variety of treatments and outcomes. Told them the treatment path can be very frustrating.

They asked about how to see the future and if i fear it will get worst. I said the main thing about colitis is the un predictable. And personnaly that's what i find the most difficult. That without reasons your body can change so quickly.
I said patience is what I learned the most with letting go as well.

Of course there is much more to say the meeting was over 1.5 hours. I was pleased to share my experience and i spoke a bit on everyones behalf from some feedbacks and readings over here. Im glad they learned a bit.

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind!

Thanks!

Wonderful! I wish all health care professionals could hear all this! Great stuff tournevice.

"And there is always a bunch of them that implies that we must have done something wrong with diet and it can be reverse at one point if we change our diet."

Amen to this!!

In my opinion this kind of medical education with real sick people should be mandatory!
Thank you, tournevice, for speaking for all of us!