Brief Background on Chris' Condition

January 1998 – Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.
July 2002 – Step one of surgery to remove the entire colon and create the J-pouch and temporary ileostomy (while the pouch heals).
January 2003 – Step two = “take-down” surgery to remove the temporary ileostomy and connect the J-pouch, allowing the body to pass waste normally.
Summer 2004 – Because symptoms didn’t improve once the colon was removed, Chris went to the Mayo Clinic where they diagnosed him with Crohn’s disease (initially was indeterminate colitis rather than ulcerative colitis). He then started Remicade treatments to try to fight the disease, in combination with other medications.
2005-2010 – Has experienced various side-effects and symptoms related to Crohn’s disease. While there have been times less active than others, the disease has never been in total control or remission.