 This Channel Four programme tracks the lives of several young people as they each cope with some kind of serious bowel condition.
Gareth suffers from Crohn's disease, which attacks the wall of the intestines and prevents nutrients being absorbed into the bloodstream. Symptoms include stomach cramps, incontinence and weight loss. The cause is not known and there is no known cure. Although philosophical about his situation, Gareth regrets that people can only seem to deal with it through toilet humour. Diagnosed at 13, he has had a series of operations on his stomach and backside. He has little gut left to absorb food and has to cope with a fistula, which affects relationships.
Alan has suffered from a bowel condition, in which polyps grow in the lining of his intestines, since he was 12. Even after their removal, there is no guarantee the polyps won't grow again. The condition gives him a predisposition to cancer so he has to be monitored every year. In living with the disease he's moved on from asking 'why me?' to thinking of the future. More polyps have been diagnosed and he has to return to hospital for surgery.
Louise is 14. She's had Crohn's disease since she was eight. After the diagnosis she spent three years on medication, having stomach cramps and running to the toilet, until an ileostomy changed her life. She can now do what she wants, where and when she wants.
Gareth loves eating but has to watch his diet and supplement what he takes through a nasal gastric tube and pump. While not pleasant, he's stoical as he knows it keeps him alive.
Victoria, who is 22, has lived with Crohn's disease since she was 11. Having lived with the fear of incontinence for years she finally made the decision to have an ileostomy; an operation she'd never wanted. It was a tough decision as she had to take a year out and just as her friends were about to become independent, she had to return to being dependent on her mum at this time.
Gillian has ulcerative colitis. Four years ago she had an operation to remove her colon and now she has to use an ileostomy bag. At the time she didn't want the operation because she was so worried about the possibility of 'smelling'. However she felt so unwell that she went ahead with the operation and now she carries on with her teaching job and can live a normal life.
Alan goes to hospital to have further polyps removed and we follow the entire procedure including the operation and recovery.
Victoria decides to throw herself back into life and educate her friends about her condition and the fact she has to use an ileostomy bag. Friends who didn't know about it soon overcome their fear and ignorance as she shows them one and explains how it works. 110,000 people wear a stoma bag in the UK today.
Gareth explains how he has to wear special pants and use special pads to deal with anal discharge caused by his condition. He would like the stitch in his rectum removed and to be free of having to use these things. He still suffers from discharge even after it is removed.
Lisa joined the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's disease. They gave her a special card to get access to a toilet quickly. She has good and bad days and a positive attitude.
Seven days after his operation Gareth is looking forward to going home. In spite of all the uncertainties he likes to enjoy the things that mean a lot to him and maintains a positive attitude.
Victoria returns to university and with no fear of incontinence, throws herself into life.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 March 2006 )
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