I was probably quite naïve in thinking that a diagnosis would be the end of the road, rather than the start of it. I genuinely had a real lack of understanding about Crohn’s and - to be honest - I was probably in denial about what I needed to do to manage the condition for a significant amount of time.
It’s easy to assume that you get a diagnosis, get some tablets and that makes you better. This disease forces you to take responsibility for yourself, and it took me a long time to get to that stage. I had a huge wake-up call when my bowel perforated in 2011, resulting in septicemia. I was 20 minutes from death.
The only option was to have emergency surgery, meaning I ended up with a stoma. My life changed overnight.
Tom Speight
Singer Songwriter Living with Crohn's Disease and Crohn's & Colitis UK Ambassador
It took me a while to come to terms and process everything after the operation. I’ve had a really rocky road with my health since diagnosis. I felt like my body was constantly working against me. Whenever something was going well in my career, my body went: “Nope, not today!”. That’s really difficult when you want be enjoying your work. You’re constantly second guessing how your own body might react to any given situation. For me, one of the hardest parts was knowing that despite everything you try, the trial and error process you go through can ultimately put you back in hospital if it’s not quite right.
In 2018, my bowel perforated for the second time during the making of my first album. I ended up being in hospital for two months. It was hands-down my hardest challenge with the disease. It really knocked me for six. I left hospital after two months and had a really hard look in the mirror.
I completely changed my diet, went to therapy, and tried to reevaluate and prioritise my health. For me, stress is a big trigger, so when I’m stressing about keeping up with everything and keeping on top of things it can actually make me worse.
My job doesn’t lend itself very easily to looking after yourself properly: travelling, performing, and not eating as well as you can, can create a vicious cycle of flare-ups and recovery.
Since coming out of hospital in 2018, my health has really turned a corner. I did 100 shows in 22 countries in 2019, met my dream girl and, for the first time, felt like I had a handle on my life. I’ve never wanted Crohn’s to define me, but one thing it has defined is my outlook on life. I feel incredibly grateful to be alive and doing a job I love.
My stoma has become my superpower. It has given me a whole new lease of life. It’s enabled me to get strong and healthy. That’s something I never had pre-surgery.
I’ve met so many inspirational people through the Crohn’s & Colitis community. I feel very proud to be part of it. If you have Crohn’s or Colitis, I hope you know you’re not alone.
Sending love & light, Tom 💜 x
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