Life changing surgery inspires Businesswoman to take on a new Challenge
Businesswoman, Caroline Bramwell, who suffered debilitating Ulcerative Colitis for 5 years and went through major ‘world first’ surgery last March, is cycling from London to Paris in just 24 hours on 23rd July to show others that they can get back to a better quality of life, whilst raising funds for Scope at the same time.
Caroline had all of her large intestine and rectum removed through single site surgery. The first in the world to have this intricate surgery performed through one single keyhole, she made a speedy recovery from the non-intrusive operation and is free of all medication. She was discharged from hospital in just two days with a renewed energy and enthusiasm to raise awareness of the illness and encourage those suffering to research all the options available to them.
Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis affects around 180,000 people in the UK, and between 6,000 and 12,000 new cases of Ulcerative Colitis are diagnosed each year. However, Caroline believes that despite the increasing number of cases in the UK, it still remains a taboo subject in society.
Before her surgery, Caroline masked the illness from clients and friends and got on with her life as best she could. However, it got to the point where she couldn’t even leave the house and it was having a detrimental effect on her business, as well as preventing her from playing with her young children. Having to rush to the toilet every half hour, bleeding from her large intestine, incredible stomach cramps and bloating from all the medication, Caroline decided that she could no longer continue living her life under such restrictions and made the life changing decision to have surgery.
Caroline now has a permanent stoma and has to wear a colostomy bag, but dismisses this as a slight inconvenience as she now enjoys a quality of life she’s not had in years. Not only has she taken up the challenge of cycling from London to Paris in 24 hours and is in tough training for this, but she has turned the first hand experience and knowledge she has gained into a consumer exhibition to help others.
The Good Digestion Show (www.thegooddigestionshow.co.uk) is a national event being held at the EXEC exhibition hall on the East of England Showground at Peterborough, on 24-25 June 2011. It has been created to offer help, advice, support and products, not only for people with stomas but for people who suffer with other digestive conditions, such as diverticular disease, bowel cancer, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and food intolerances. It will run informational seminars and workshops, as well as a Fashion Catwalk and Theatre Kitchen with celebrity chefs, Lesley Waters and Antony Worrall Thompson creating fantastic dishes for those with food intolerances, such as gluten free or dairy free.
Said Caroline: “Many people carry on ‘putting up’ with things because they don’t know what is available to them. But it’s not necessary; I want people to discover that there are many different things that can help and improve their quality of life.
“We are aiming to bring together patients, the general public and the professionals. That way all the information people need will be under one roof and plenty of experts on hand to answer questions.”
It is believed that 88% of people with stomas are not members of any patient groups or associations and therefore do not have access to help and support. These are the people the exhibition will appeal to. They could be living in discomfort, when there is no need. A year from now they could be running a marathon!
Of her cycle challenge, Caroline remarked: “Taking on something like this wasn’t even a possibility before my surgery. I couldn’t have cycled a mile, let alone ridden from London to Paris. I wanted to take on this challenge to raise awareness of Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis, which people don’t really like to talk about. I want to give a positive message to people with stomas and those with digestive illnesses.”
Posted on 13th July 2010