Im Kay and in June 2015 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and my life from that point changed forever.
I know what you are thinking... what is Crohn’s Disease??
I myself had no awareness of CD until I was diagnosed. I remember thinking in hospital “they’ll give me some tablets and I can go home and back to normal.”
3 weeks later in hospital I realised it wasn’t that simple.
Another myth that I assumed, was that it was just like IBS. I would just eat something that didn’t agree with me and find myself trapped on the toilet for 20 minutes.
But I don’t have IBS... I have IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
One letter that makes a massive massive difference.
I don’t have a syndrome... I have a disease. A disease with no cure.

You can google Crohn’s... but not even google can explain all the different symptoms and complications that come with this horrid disease.
But the most common symptoms and the ones I personally suffer with are:-
Extreme fatigue
Diarrhoea
Abdominal pains
Weight loss
Hair loss
Perianal Abscesses
Fistulas
Anxiety
Zero energy

Also the medication that I take is not long term and eventually my body gets immune to it. Even the medications come with its own horrible side affects and risks. The risks of me getting serious infections, heart problems and even cancer are all increased on these drugs.
But I still work a full time job, still try and socialise with friends and family and still carry on playing the sport I love... football. Since my diagnosis I haven’t managed to play a full season.
But you look at me and you think “but she doesn’t look sick”
But that is why this is called the ‘invisible illness’ because you can’t see what I’m going through and sometimes I don’t want you to see what I’m going through. It’s a lot easier for me to say I’m ok, then to list all the reasons why I’m not.
I want to change that.
I want more people to be aware of this disease and to understand the consequences it has on the individual and their family.
I have had 4 surgeries for perianal accesses and about to have my 5th which will be a 2-3 month recovery.
So I wanted a purpose to aim for to help me get back up and fight once I’m recovered. A reason to fight my anxiety and to leave the house to battle on. So why not climb Ben Nevis? And why not raise money and awareness at the same time? So with the help of my closest friends I will be doing just this on the 23rd September 2019!
It will test my limits of fatigue as well as my fear of heights.
The money raised will go towards Crohn’s & Colitis UK to help find a cure for this disease and to help patients be better informed about their condition.
And also for you guys... I hope by just reading a little insight into my story you understand just a little of what it’s like.
So please give what you can and please share the fu@k out of this so together we can fight it!
I count myself as one of the lucky ones. All though what I go through is terrible, I know that their are others who are going through worse. Especially those that have to live with a stoma. That’s something I find myself fortunate to not have to go through. But it’s always a possibility for me.
But I can’t finish this without mentioning all the other brave Crohn’s warriors who all have their own stories to tell.
Not everyone’s story is the same but we are all fighting the same battle.
Thank you for reading my story.
Kayleigh x