Illnesses

This list of John's health history is included for other ostomates so that they can see that they are not alone in their work to overcome ongoing health issues and live an active, healthy lifestyle. At the risk of sounding cliche: if John can do it, so can you!

1976-78: Diagnosed with aggressive bladder cancer at age 6 months; three surgeries plus full courses of both radiation and chemotherapies; cancer goes into permanent remission in 1978. Attended yearly cancer clinic follow up examinations until age 16 or 1991.

1986: Ostomy surgery: illeal conduit procedure performed on January 28, 1986.

1991: Revision of illeal conduit surgery: stoma reconstruction.

1992: Diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome due to past illness treatments.

1998, 1999, and 2001: Hospitalized seven times for bowel obstructions and once for E Coli infection in the kidneys.

2005: Hospitalized for bowel obstruction one week before Canadian National Triathlon Championships.

2005: Hospitalized for kidney infection.

2006: Hospitalized for bowel obstruction in February; obstruction so severe it requires surgery to remove scar tissue (source of obstructions) and significant length of small bowel 'deadened' from chronic obstructions. Surgery complicated by numerous infections. Hospital stay lasts 20 days.