About me:
- 29 years old
- have an ileostomy as of July 2009
- was diagnosed with Crohn's at age 11
- love bicycles, especially my CAAD10
- will be racing with University of Pittsburgh this season
- am a nerdy graduate student studying infectious disease and microbiology
- love statistics and research!
- blue is my favorite color. Most of my clothes and walls are blue.
- Dogs not cats or kids.
- I am a cynical optimist, a master of hyperbole and naturally facetious.
- Somebody once based an adjective off of me: "travesine" is to be dark and stormy but not unpleasant.
- I like sunny days (better for bicycling) and dramatic stormy nights.
- cheesy vampire movies and BBC movies are my favorite trainer time entertainment.
- people have said that I look like I'm 12, and that I'm intimidating. I understand neither.
- constant movement. can't stay still... unless my legs are tired.
This project is my attempt at showing that it is possible to continue to have a full, active life after surgery. summer that I had to have ileostomy surgery - it was not a choice - I fell into a deep deep depression. I wasn't sure what my life would be like afterwards. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to be active at all, that I would smell bad or that people would know that I have an ostomy because I couldn't hide it under my clothes. And, sadly, I couldn't find any other examples of people like me - young guys with physically demanding professions, who played high intensity sports - despite my constant online and in person.
Today my life is awesome. I'm looking forward to this years collegiate cycling season, and recently got engaged to the love of my life (who I met after surgery in 2009, for the record). It doesn't get much better than this. Yes, sometimes Crohn's or the extra considerations required for traveling or other breaks in the routine with an ileostomy get me down. But, then I remember how worth it these small bumps in the road are when I look at the big picture. I hope that I can show that cycling, or being active in any sport, with Crohn's or after ileostomy surgery is possible and that your biggest limitations are your fears.
i'm really glad to have found your blog. i had been a competitive cyclist for 5 years when diagnosed with IBD. i was in the best shape of my life at the time, having just received my cat2 road racing upgrade. i've been off the bike for 9 months now while the disease has aggressively progressed and i'm trying to avoid an ileostomy but it's looking more and more likely in my near future. i had pretty much given up on the idea of riding ever again, but i'm glad to see someone doing it with an ileostomy, and doing it competitively! it gives me a lot of hope. keep it up, HTFU right?!?
ReplyDeleteHey!
DeleteYou know, I've neglected to update this blog enough recently. This year I have been racing against olympians on the track, and took a top ten in the collegiate road nationals time trial. None of that training and racing could have happened prior to the ileostomy. It's certainly been a road with much trial and error and many set backs, but I can now truly say that racing at an elite level is absolutely possible with an ileostomy. So, here's hoping to a next year full of more victories for both of us. I'm happy to help troubleshoot issues adjusting to IBD (or the ostomy if you end up with one). Also, you might want to check out the facebook group "ostomy lifestyle athletes" - it's a very active bunch. Not a ton of elite competitors, but lots of marathoners and folks who do real riding and racing.
You can also email travis dot alexi dot rabbit at gmail dot com
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