The Traitors star Mollie opens up about health battle which found her in hospital for surgery
THE Traitors star Mollie Pearce has previously opened up about her health battle which found her left with a stoma bag in 2020.
Mollie, 21, was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis when she was 11-years-old.
In August 2020, model Mollie revealed on Instagram that she had been in and out of remission since her diagnosis.
The TV star explained that she had taken various different drug treatments, and called hospital her "second home".
The long-term condition has stopped her from doing things as a teenager and told her followers she wanted to spread awareness of IBD.
Then in October she revealed that after a check-up the previous month, she had to "say goodbye to her colon forever".
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What is colitis?
Colitis is a condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed.
The colon is the large intestine, or bowel, and the rectum is the end of the bowel where stools are stored. Ulcers can develop on the colon's lining and bleed and produce pus.
Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis that is caused by autoimmune inflammation (the body attacking itself), whereas colitis can be caused by a number of factors including infection.
Ulcerative colitis is similar to another condition which causes inflammation of the gut - Crohn's disease.
Mollie bravely wrote: "This is a post I hoped i would never have to write. On the 30th of September I went to hospital for a checkup and ended up being admitted due to the severity of my symptoms.
"I didn’t think in a million years my biggest fear was about to come true.
"I have been fighting ulcerative colitis for 8 years and last week it finally won when I had to say goodbye to my colon forever.
"An ileostomy is a surgically made opening that connects your ileum to your abdominal wall.
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"The ileum is the lower end of your small intestine. Through the abdominal wall opening, or stoma, the lower intestine is stitched into place.
"It is a major 7 hour operation which has scared me since being diagnosed."
She continued: "It’s been the hardest week of my life but the love I have felt from my friends and family is something I will never forget.
"All I ask is that if you have any time please educate your self on crohns and colitis!!
"It effects a huge amount of people and can be very hard to explain and understand. It is going to take a lot of time and strength to adjust to my new life with a stoma bag.
"It’s important to remember beauty isn’t external and it’s about who you are and how you view the things around you. All our bodies are beautiful!
"Please share this and anything you know about IBD to spread as much awareness possible about this vicious illness. Let’s get educated!
"Thankyou to everyone for all the love and support xxxx
Scars make us strong 💜💜."
What are the symptoms of colitius?
Symptoms can often be very mild for weeks or months but flare ups with extreme symptoms can cause a lot of pain and trouble for sufferers.
- Painful/swollen joints
- Mouth ulcers
- Painful, red, swollen skin
- Red eyes
- The need to empty bowels six or more times a day
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- High temperature
- Blood in stools
Back in October Mollie celebrated her three-year stomaversary.
Posing with a pink number three balloon, she captioned the post: "happy 3 year stoma-versary Sid🫶🏻
"Thanks for giving me my life back ��xxxx #stomaversary #stomabag #ibdawareness
Mollie wants to be crowned winner of The Traitors 2024 and walk away with the huge cash prize.
She said: "I’m quite good at building that relationship but also separating myself in a way which I feel like will be really good in the game."
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The star isn't worried about playing the game.
Mollie added: "You have to turn on people at some points,
and that person could be your friend in there."
