At the start of 2022, I believed I was able bodied and healthy. I lived a “normal” life, ate whatever I wanted, and was even training for a marathon. Then I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and in October 2022 a “flare” saw me spend 10 days in hospital.
If I were to explain what living with Ulcerative Colitis is like to someone unfamiliar with it, I'd ask them to think back to those moments we've all experienced - times where we've had a bad tummy after a big night out or a dodgy, questionable kebab. Well imagine that it never went away. Visiting the toilet 10+ times a day - and having to run (and I mean RUN) when you do need to go. Along with that you have the intense stomach cramps and the constant fatigue, coupled with the long term anxiety from how much it restricts your life. It isn’t always like this, but during a flare up its what I can expect.
It can be pretty challenging trying to manage my health whilst maintaining a busy schedule as a comedian. Whilst working on my new show, I was concerned that the constant flare ups were going to interrupt the preparation - so I wrote the show in a new way. It's broken up into ten, smaller parts that I could work on separately (like an album!) - when put together they make a whole cohesive story.
Liam
Living with Ulcerative Colitis
It can be hard when I'm on the road as the traditional comedians diet consists of free nachos at comedy clubs or lukewarm sausage rolls from petrol stations - neither of which make for a happy bowel. I’ve had to rethink the way I manage my diet on the road. Planning in advance what and where I’m going to eat, to avoid any hangry bad choices.
Hustle culture is incredibly present in comedy, as with a lot of industries, “the grind” is glorified. I’ve had to take more care in allowing myself time to rest. Stress can significantly impact my health, potentially triggering flares, so I've learned the importance of carving out time each week for genuine rest and relaxation, and try not to beat myself up about it when I do.
There have been times where I've had to make tough decisions between work commitments and my health. The first time I was hospitalised, I had to cancel gigs on cruise ships, as well as lucrative international gigs in Dubai and Dublin. My body was in recovery, and I couldn't risk being away form the NHS in case my conditioned worsened. It was a really difficult decision to make at the time, but I'm glad I did and prioritised my health, as I ended up back in hospital.
Luckily, most people find stories about accidents quite funny. They are of course, not funny at the time. But once some time has passed, if you take ownership of the situation, it’s incredibly liberating to turn it into a joke.
At the same time, it can make others who have been through the same thing feel less shame - and encourage those who have been putting off going to the doctors to go for a check up.
I’ve been flare free for 6 months now, and with each day my confidence about my condition grows stronger, so much so that I'm currently travelling the UK on my first solo tour - 'Chronic Boom'. There is unfortunately always that anxiety that lingers over you where you worry it could return. Ultimately, I’m glad to have my diagnosis and know what to do if and when I do have another flare up. I spent years without a diagnosis, and knowing what you have and how to deal with it is far better than not!
If I was to offer any advice to other people who are facing similar challenges, I would encourage them to be honest. Not just with your family, friends and colleagues - but with yourself. Be honest about how you are coping with the physical and emotional effects of the condition (or the medication), about how stressed you might be with other aspects of your life, and about when you need to take some time out to recover.
Remember that you have a condition that demands your attention, and give it the care it needs.
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