Living with Crohn's Disease and a PICC Line

My name is Michael Seres and I am the Founder and CEO  of 11 Health and Technologies. When I was 12, I was  diagnosed with the incurable bowel condition, Crohn’s Disease. After constant intestinal failure and numerous operations, the only solution to my problem was to undergo  a rare small bowel transplant. I was the 11^th person to  undergo this surgery at Churchill Hospital in Oxford, UK. This, in turn, resulted in me becoming a stoma patient.

Simplistically, Crohn’s is a chronic inflammation of the lining  of the digestive system, especially the colon and ileum, however, it can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the back passage. There are quite a few symptoms of Crohn’s disease such as abdominal pain, fatigue, unintended weight less and much more.

The complexity of Crohn’s is that no two people are the same or have the same issues. For me, I have found that eating little and often is better than bigger meals. I have found that staying hydrated at all times is important, although my family would say I still don’t drink enough! I have also figured out through trial and error what foods trigger my symptoms. I understand what to eat and what reactions I get from certain foods, so I try and avoid them or only have them when I am in an environment where I can manage the after-effects.

I have had a PICC Line for a number of years and it has become part of daily life for me. I am very careful to protect it and treat it well as I know it can be prone to infections. Care+Wear PICC Line Covers are a huge help, helping to keep patients free of infection while allowing for the type of easy access that is fundamental to living a normal life. This product is ground-breaking.

Something everyone needs to understand is that you should not ever feel alone. There is always someone out there who is willing to help. You can live a full and happy life no matter how tough it gets. There is always a way through.