• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Ulcerative Colitis / My Story: “Gutless But Glamorous”

My Story: “Gutless But Glamorous”

…new symptoms.

I was constantly losing blood, was deathly tired and could barely get out the bed.

Shortly after that I had another surgery. I am not certain if I ever experienced a remission. Severe Crohn’s had become my norm. For over a decade, I adapted my life to live while being in excruciating pain some days and in pain most. I became oblivious to the fact my quality of life was gone.

My latest surgery I had a total proctocolectomy (removal of the colon and rectum) leaving me with a permanent ileostomy (opening in my belly).

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

Gaylyn 1

Living My New Normal

I tried to hold on as long as I could to my colon. I was still striving to be “normal” by clinging to the very thing that was slowly killing me because of stigmas associated with having an ostomy. But there came a time that I had no choice. Having my colon removed was the best thing that has happened to me. There is absolutely no way I would want to go back other than to do it sooner.

My quality of life improved and thoughts that I had not felt in a long time, such as hope, resurfaced. I decided that I wanted to make a difference and improve the lives of others dealing with chronic illnesses. I am living my new normal. I am in love with my new body; my new body saved my life in more ways than one. I want others to not be afraid or ashamed of having an ostomy. I don’t want others to suffer because of the fear of being stigmatized of life saving procedures.

I aim to encourage young women and men through GutlessandGlamorous.Org. Gutless and Glamorous is dedicated to improving the lives of those living with chronic illness.

With a special interest in those living with or contemplating life-altering surgeries, my mission is to empower and uplift those living with chronic illness and to raise awareness and erase the stigmas and misconceptions of life-saving procedures.

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

A “colostomy” saved my life and I want to highlight that those living with one can be both #GutlessandGlamorous. It is my goal to help erase the stigma of life saving procedures. Anything that has the power to save a life can be nothing but beautiful.

March 24, 2020 by Gaylyn Henderson

Previous pageRead Next Article

The Latest In Ulcerative Colitis

constipation

Is Your Child Struggling To Go Number 2?

It’s easy to assume that since children are so fresh and new into the world, that they suffer from fewer problems when it comes to the body but this is completely false. Children are actually prone to a lot more read more about Is Your Child Struggling To Go Number 2?
digestive system

What to do When Your Mind and Digestive System Aren’t Getting Along

If you've ever felt your insides twist in knots before a big speech, you know the stomach listens carefully to the brain. In fact, the entire digestive system is closely tuned to a person's emotions and state of mind, says read more about What to do When Your Mind and Digestive System Aren’t Getting Along
antibiotics

Does Antibiotic Use Raise Your Odds For Ulcerative Colitis?

The more antibiotics that seniors take, the greater their risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a new study suggests. The findings could help explain some of the increase in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (common types of IBD) among older adults, according read more about Does Antibiotic Use Raise Your Odds For Ulcerative Colitis?
gastrointestinal issues

How Stress and Gastro Issues Affect Kids With Autism

For some children with autism, there's a connection between gastrointestinal issues and stress, anxiety and social withdrawal, a new study suggests. The findings could help efforts to develop personalized treatments for autism patients with gastrointestinal problems such as stomach pain read more about How Stress and Gastro Issues Affect Kids With Autism
Crohn’s disease

Living With Stomach Pain for Years. He Never Imagined It Was Crohn’s.

Jarrell Williams was used to having pain in his abdomen. The 28-year-old Native of Chicago had experienced this pain for years, but one day in January 2021, the pain was more intense than usual.  It was sharp and consistent, but read more about Living With Stomach Pain for Years. He Never Imagined It Was Crohn’s.
bananas

Don’t Go Bananas – But Maybe Eat One

On the screen, bananas are a menace. Just ask Charlie Chaplin, Bugs Bunny or anyone who's played Mario Kart. In your diet, though, bananas can be a boon. Experts have a bunch of reasons to like them and see only read more about Don’t Go Bananas – But Maybe Eat One

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!
  • Snoop Dogg & Wife: 26 Years And Still Going StrongSnoop Dogg & Wife: 26 Years And Still Going Strong
  • LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: “We Celebrate Life”LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: "We Celebrate Life"
  • Halle Berry: Over 50 ‘Just Keeps Getting Better With Time’Halle Berry: Over 50 'Just Keeps Getting Better With Time'
  • Queen Latifah Sheds Light on BMI Chart Flaws: “I’m Just Thick”Queen Latifah Sheds Light on BMI Chart Flaws: "I'm Just Thick"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.