By Alyce Collins
THIS CROHN’S disease woman had nightclub security rip her colostomy bag out as they thought it could be a threat and has found herself accused of being a shoplifter because of lack of awareness by retail staff.
Hair stylist and cosmetologist, NeQueshia Davis (30) from Texas, USA, was overjoyed after welcoming her first child in 2008, until less than two months later she began having incredibly painful stomach problems, only to be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease shortly after.
NeQueshia, who goes by the name of Sha, was in a great deal of pain when she consulted doctors about the symptoms she started showing. After a healthy pregnancy, Sha wasn’t expecting that she would have to undergo eight surgeries, including the permanent fitting of a colostomy bag.
Sha has had to endure many embarrassing situations since having her colostomy bag fitted, as many people still don’t understand what it is and they often assume the bulge under her top is something she is concealing out of secrecy.
“I have had so many negative experiences in public with my stoma, especially in airports and night clubs,” Sha explained.
“The work staff in the airports act like they’ve never seen or heard of a colostomy bag when I’m going through the security check points. Some workers will look disgusted or will pat me down roughly without any care for my colostomy bag.
“At night clubs the security guards have patted me down so rough and one time a security guard actually tore off my stoma bag after pulling at it so hard, then he questioned me on what it was.
“It can also be embarrassing when I’m in quiet places and my stoma bag passes gas, or when it needs to be emptied and it looks like a balloon is sticking out of my shirt.
“I’ve had shop workers stare at me when it’s been full because they think I’ve stolen something.
“It has been hard to adjust to life after my surgery – I find myself depressed or feeling like I’ve been set back when before I felt like I was moving forward.
“Eventually though you have to snap out of it and keep fighting.”
Sha explained what it was like to be diagnosed with the condition she previously knew very little about.
“When I was diagnosed I felt very confused and in so much pain,” she said.
“Being diagnosed with Crohn’s has changed my life from the everyday living with a colostomy bag, to the way I eat and learning to feel comfortable with all of the changes.
“I started having symptoms six weeks after my first pregnancy, and since then I’ve had eight major surgeries.
“I hope to not have any more surgery but if an active form of Crohn’s does appear again which medication can’t help then I will need more surgeries.
“At one stage before my stoma was fitted my condition got so serious that I had to have emergency surgery because my intestines were so inflamed that they were causing a blockage, so my food couldn’t go through smoothly.
“That caused me so much pain in my stomach and I was vomiting as I couldn’t keep my food down, which caused me to lose a tremendous amount of weight. That was the most ill I’ve been before surgery.”
Sha continues to spread her positivity regarding Crohn’s disease, as she hopes to motivate others to continue to fight rather than give up and let the disease take control of their lives
Despite her diagnosis, she is still very grateful for the life she is able to lead, and she doesn’t let it stop her from living each day as it comes.
You can find out more about Sha’s incredible journey by going to @thegirlwiththebag.
