Support Arianna

For 6 months Arianna has been in chronic pain. She has had numerous visits to GP’s and the hospital where they diagnosed all sorts of minor health problems. She went from a happy, active 19 year old to one who had to hide away and suffer the pain she was in. 4 weeks ago she was admitted to hospital, a doctor said maybe send her for a colonoscopy. They did this and took a sample.

A week later they diagnosed her with Ulcerative Colitis. 2 days later she was admitted to ICU in Rotorua Hospital where doctors tried to save her colon using medication. This did not work so 5 days later she was transferred to Waikato Hospital in critical condition. The surgeons performed an emergency, life saving colectomy. She has a long road to recovery and is still not coping with her condition.

A hard thing for any young person to go through. But through all of this she wants to help others by ensuring testing is done sooner rather than later when patients are presenting with her symptoms. If this was picked up 6 months ago she would not be where she is today.