From Illness to Empowerment: Jenn’s Journey to Living Life to the Fullest
At the age of 29, I received a life-altering diagnosis: Ulcerative Colitis. As a retail manager, the stress and erratic shiftwork took a toll on my health. I grew increasingly sick, and it became clear that I needed a radical change.
In 2013, my husband and I made a pivotal decision. We joined a gym, and I embarked on a journey toward strength and well-being. Leaving behind the retail world, I became a certified personal trainer and health coach. Little did I know that this shift would transform my life in ways I couldn’t imagine.
But life had more challenges in store. By 2017, despite my best efforts, I remained unwell. It was then that the members of the Crohn’s & Colitis Canada Vancouver chapter rallied around me. Their unwavering support led me to an exceptional gastroenterologist who explored every avenue, including trial drugs. Yet, remission remained elusive.
Fast forward to 2020. The only remaining option was to consult a surgeon about the possibility of an ostomy. The team at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver recommended a permanent ileostomy, a decision that would alter my life forever. Little did I realize that this choice would save me from a far graver fate.
As the surgical team worked diligently, they discovered something unexpected: anus cancer, a consequence of HPV/cervical cancer I had battled from 18 to 22. Over two decades later, it had returned in a different form. The ostomy, it turned out, was inevitable, but its timely discovery spared me from chemotherapy or worse.
Despite a hernia surgery and another awaiting me, I’ve come to understand that life’s quality is paramount. My journey has shaped me into a fighter, a survivor, and an advocate. Today, I stand as a personal trainer, a health and nutrition coach, and a gym manager—committed to helping others live their best lives.
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The post Meet Ostomy Ambassador Jennifer Moore first appeared on Ostomy Canada Society.