LOGAN'S OSTOMY

Logan had his entire large intestine removed when he was 6 years old. He and his parents wanted to share his story and his pictures with others to ease the mind of others who may need this surgery,

Christmas Eve is usually a time for celebration, enjoyment and relaxation. In 2004, for Logan's parents, it was a time of sheer panic. They had just found blood in their son's diaper. They rushed him to the emergency room to find out what was wrong with him and how to solve it. Little did they know that this would be the first of many visits to the children's hospital, pediatrician and gastroenterologist.

Logan was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. When an immune system mistakes food, bacteria or the cells that line the colon as germs or other invaders, it leads to ulcers in the lining of the colon. White blood cells that are meant to protect the body instead attack the large intestine causing swelling and inflammation.

For Logan that meant painful flare-ups that led to doctor visits and hospital admissions. Doctors started a series of IV infusions, steroids and other medications to try and control Logan's ulcerative colitis, but none worked. The only way to stop the ongoing pain, diarrhea and blood cure would be to remove young Logan's colon.

In September of 2010, at 6 years of age, Logan had his first of three scheduled surgeries. They first removed the colon

and created an ileostomy, where the end of the small intestines, the ileum is brought out of an opening (or stoma) in the abdominal wall and attached to a bag to collect waste.

 The ostomy pouch drastically changed Logan's family's lives. Everyone had to adapt to changing the bag, handling leaks, and caring for the exposed intestine.

In February, the final surgery removed the ileostomy and connected the intestine that remained into an pouch inside shaped like the letter "J" so the j-pouch could function like Logan's rectum once did. Logan would be able to go to the bathroom normally once more. There was no more stoma and no more pouch. 

Logan was able to return to kindergarten. He could once again play with other kids. And in 2011, he was able to attend an overnight camp at Camp Oasis, a special camp for kids with Crohn's and Colitis. He swam, did archery, played games.

He also met kids with whom he could compare j-pouch scars with and talk with about the frustrations of the disease.

Today, Logan is doing well. His scars from his surgery are healed and barely visible. He's thriving in school, competitive swimming

and boy scouts. He's enjoying his friends and he's dealing with his colitis.