Gastrointestinal Patient Forms Close Bond with Nurses During Multiple Surgeries

Lauren Lipsyc is a 25-year-old girl with a warm smile, a caring heart, a positive attitude, and a persevering nature. She makes life look easy even when it’s not.

The University of Virginia law student is contemplating practicing healthcare law when she graduates, a fitting career track considering the road she’s been down.

When Lauren was 15, she began to have gastrointestinal (GI) issues and sought medical attention at Cleveland Clinic. Through the next few years, she was diagnosed with a number of conditions, including: lactose intolerance (the inability to fully digest sugar, or lactose, in dairy products), fructose malabsorption (when cells on the surface of the intestines aren’t able to break down fructose efficiently), proctitis (inflammation of the lining of the rectum), and ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract).

“I was diagnosed in very small steps. I think it was better that way rather than everything coming at me at once,” says Lauren.

With a combination of medications and diet changes, her symptoms were manageable.

In 2012, Lauren made the move from Cleveland to New York City to attend Barnard College. “I was so excited to start the next chapter of my life. My sister went to school in New York City, too, so it was nice to be reunited with her,” she recalls.

“Coleen and Terri were unbelievably supportive. Without their help, I would not be where I am today. They quickly gained my complete trust and helped me thrive despite a very difficult medical situation. I am so incredibly grateful for the amazing care I received at Cleveland Clinic; it’s unparalleled.”

During her first semester, her GI issues began to flare – possibly from the added stress of a new living situation, school, work, and all the things that come with life as a college freshman. “On a trip home, I saw my doctor and was prescribed additional medication. The pills literally lined up from my fingertips to my elbow,” says Lauren.

Her symptoms worsened and the side effects from the medications were taxing. Back in Cleveland for summer break, Lauren saw her physician at Cleveland Clinic who ordered tests.

The results showed that her ulcerative colitis was rapidly progressing. She needed a total colectomy ­­– the removal of the large intestine – and an end ileostomy (a stoma, or artificial opening, that allows feces to pass) was created. This meant she wouldn’t be able to pass stool normally and it would collect in a pouch outside of her body. “I was really surprised to need such a huge surgery so quickly,” remembers Lauren.

Before her first surgery in June 2013, Lauren had an appointment with Coleen Potts, BSN, RN, CWOCN, a nurse who specializes in wound, ostomy and continence at Cleveland Clinic's Digestive Disease & Surgery Institute. She would explain what an ileostomy was, mark the location of where the stoma would be placed and answer Lauren’s questions. One specific question prompted Coleen to reveal that she, too, had a stoma.

“I couldn't believe that I had an appointment with such a kind, smart, caring, and completely normal person and didn't even know she had an ostomy. It was reassuring to know that Coleen was living life with an ostomy, and it helped me picture what my life could be like,” remembers Lauren.

The surgery proved to be physically, mentally and emotionally draining on Lauren. “I saw Lauren shortly after her surgery to teach her how to change the pouch that was now collecting her stool. She wasn’t emotionally ready to learn. I told her to listen to the song 'Three Little Birds',” recalls Terri Cobb, BSN, RN, CWOCN. “The song is basically saying don’t worry, everything will be alright. I wanted to help lighten the mood for Lauren.”

Terri let Lauren go at her own pace and soon, the happy-go-lucky girl was back and ready to learn. “Terri gave me the support and care I needed to get used to this on my timeline,” says Lauren.

Over the next 10 months, Lauren would have two additional surgeries to complete the three-step J-pouch procedure. During the second surgery, the small intestine was shaped into a J-pouch (a reservoir created for bowel contents to exit the body) and a loop ileostomy (part of the small intestine is lifted above skin level in order to reconnect the bowel at a later date) was placed. The final surgery was to close the ostomy by reattaching the loop ileostomy with the small intestine, allowing her to go to the bathroom normally.

During this time, Lauren, Terri, and Coleen formed a close friendship. “Coleen and Terri were unbelievably supportive. Without their help, I would not be where I am today. They quickly gained my complete trust and helped me thrive despite a very difficult medical situation. I am so incredibly grateful for the amazing care I received at Cleveland Clinic; it’s unparalleled,” says Lauren.

Her medical issues never slowed her down. Throughout her surgeries, Lauren continued going to school, traveling, working out, playing tennis and spending time with family and friends. The only thing she couldn’t really do through all this was down some milkshakes – which she’s back to doing now.

“There’s something really special about Lauren; she’s one of a kind. I was happy I could comfort her by letting her know I went through the very same thing she went through and that it would be ok,” says Coleen.