WAM'S DORM ROOM

I've been on this wonderful site for a little while now, but I thought I would formerly introduce myself. I can't say my story is anything to smile about, but I hope it can give as much inspiration in the idea that "anything is possible"

I turned 18 and that seemed to be the age that everything began to spiral down into hell. I was diagnosed with something called Colitis. It's an irritable bowel syndrome condition that can cause some serious problems. The only way to fix it if drugs don't work is to remove it and you technically should be healthy because it only affects your colon. Unfortunately for me, the heavy amount of medical steroids did nothing and in 2 short months at college, I went from 120lbs to around 90lbs soaking wet. I lost so much blood that I stopped eating and kind of just laid in bed most of the day or maybe went to one class, but struggled just being on my feet. I ended up collapsing one day and was rushed to the hospital around campus. The doctors said they couldn’t help me with the technology they had send me to a hospital closer to home. Once again, they couldn’t help me and sent me to a hospital in Chicago where specialists could help me. Let's just say I spent a month in the hospital with 8 blood transfusions, had to learn to walk again and I got cut open to have my colon removed before it perforated.

I spent the next two years having my ups and downs with yet again, a dozen hospitals stays, more blood transfusions, learning to walk again and yes.... three more surgeries in the same spot, because I decided to have the guts to get my intestines reconnected, but it failed in a about a year. I realized I fought the good fight, but it was time to make things permanent.

About a year ago, after my last surgery, I was told that I may never be healthy again. I told myself that this wasn’t an option and I will prove the skeptics wrong. One day, I drove pass the gym in town. I walked in and I looked at a dumbbell. I was hooked! All the knowledge of fitness and nutrition became my life’s passion and I retained everything.

Now that a year has passed, I can proudly say that I’m a healthy 140lbs and growing. I have never been back to the hospital since and I don't ever plan on going back. I'm starting to become a advocate for the Crohn's and Colitis foundation of America, a soon to be NASM certified personal trainer, and I can't wait to start doing local shows with bodybuilding while also working into power lifting.

I plan on giving back what the years of health and nutrition have given me... a second chance to live.

Be healthy and stay strong my friends! I’m proud to be a part of this community!