'A brutal journey': Living with Crohn’s and fertility grief

A dad has spoken about the “brutal journey” of being diagnosed with a life-long illness as a child, to facing the struggles of being unable to conceive.

When Mark Wright was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease he was in the middle of high school, aged 15, he didn’t have a clue what it was.

The inflammatory bowel disease can present itself with symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach pain, ulcers and fatigue. It affects more than 500,000 people in the UK and there is no known cure.

“It was only through seeing it on the screen at the doctor’s surgery that I knew I had it,” the now 38-year-old from South Queensfery told STV News.

The condition has gone on to dominate large parts of Mark’s life. He had a stoma bag fitted in 2005, causing the deferral of university, before nine years later having the entirety of his large bowel surgically removed.

Later, he had his rectum removed as well, which medics hope will prevent the need for any further surgery.

“The initial years were pretty difficult,” Mark said.

“I fought with awful symptoms, allergic reactions to treatments, and many different surgical procedures.”

Since 2017, the driving instructor has been treating the disease with fortnightly self-administered injections which he says have been “transformational”.

But Crohn’s disease hasn’t been the only medical challenge Mark has faced – he and his wife Kay struggled with fertility issues for eight years as they tried to start a family.

“We were fortunate to receive a few rounds on the NHS and also did a few self-funded rounds too,” he said.

“We experienced failed rounds, miscarriage, hope and disappointment – it’s a brutal journey to go on.”

But in 2020, the couple welcomed daughter Eden into the world.

Mark said: “She has brought so much happiness to our lives but this doesn’t take away from the hurt and grief that we feel from rounds that were unsuccessful.”

After battling through some very tough times, Mark was determined to do something to raise money and awareness for two causes, which are now very close to his heart.

This month Mark has taken on a mammoth cycling challenge, travelling more than 500 miles on his bike from London all the way back home to South Queensferry – he finished the journey on Friday, May 16 under the iconic Forth Bridge.

Followed along the route by his dad Graham in a car, Mark has spent hours each day in the saddle.

It’s the kind of task that back in the midst of his Crohn’s disease battle, Mark never envisioned he could do.

“Even if you’d spoken to me five years ago, I thought this would have been impossible – probably more from a mental perspective than a physical one,” he said.

“The biggest thing for me is letting people know other people are going through it.

“Whilst my life has been full of challenge and dark moments, I’m determined not to let those difficulties define me. I want do something to bring good out of this all.”

Thus far, Mark has raised well over £3,500, which will be split between Crohn’s and Colitis UK and Fertility Network UK.