Bowel surgery "transforms the life" of an Emirati surfer

A new world filled with hope and optimism opened to the eyes of the Emirati athlete, optimistic about reaching the Olympiad, Muhammad Hassan, after he underwent a colectomy at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, part of a healthcare exchange, as a treatment for his ulcerative colitis disease. 

The professional athlete, a surfer, is 33 years old.

After his colon is removed, he disposes of the non-liquid waste through an opening in the wall of his abdomen, which connects to a pocket that does not permeate water, called the ostomy pouch (ostomy pouch).

When this pouch becomes full, it detaches and empties it into the bathroom.

While recovering, Muhammad was eager to rebuild his strength and confidence to show the world that he can still lead an active life.

He participated in the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2020, where he played thirty different sports in thirty days to prove that his ostomy bag will not prevent him from his sporting career. 

"In my eyes, the past few months have been a rapidly changing and volatile cycle. When I first heard that I needed surgery, I thought I would stop exercising. Now, I want to make it clear to people that you can enroll in a lot of sports, regardless of it," says Mohamed. "Your ability level. I played underwater hockey, golf and even went free diving. Whatever the case, you can do any sport you want - even with an ostomy."

Muhammad was a sports player for most of his life, and doctors diagnosed his condition, fifteen years ago, as a ulcerative colitis.

Mohammed started his sports career as a player in the Dubai Football Club, before switching to rugby, where he joined the UAE national rugby team and represented the country in the rugby sevens, but his health conditions, with his ulcerative colitis disease, forced him to quit the sport he was passionate about. And he found himself on a new, completely different path. 

His condition was a chronic disease, including inflammation of the large intestine, which is a disease whose most common symptoms are abdominal pain, frequent diarrhea, or diarrhea mixed with blood, with weight loss, and loss of appetite.

And a lot of patients can control their health by taking medication.

However, in Muhammad's case, medication did not succeed in reducing symptoms, although he had been visited by doctors from all over the world. 

“I was suffering a lot. My colitis was not under control at all, as I used to go to the bathroom 15-20 times a day. I had to stop rugby because, while playing, I had to leave the stadium, as much as I might,” says Mohamed. During the matches, my team was defeated. My health conditions were controlling my life a lot, and I had to plan for everything I do in my life, about having a bathroom close to me. This, unlike many other things I could not do. "

After leaving the world of rugby, Mohamed found a new passion, surfing.

Muhammad traveled around the world, competing in the World Surfing Association.

He recently returned to the United Arab Emirates, with an eye on representing his country, at the Tokyo Games.

However, a friend, who is one of Muhammad's friends, who suffers from ulcerative colitis, suggested that he visit Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to get treatment for his condition. 

When Muhammad visited the hospital, the medical care team that dealt with his case recommended a colonoscopy (colonoscopy) to examine his colon, looking for any signs of cancer.

People with ulcerative colitis are at higher risk of developing the disease, especially if their condition is not under control. 

Dr. Zahir Kutbi, a consultant specializing in diseases of the liver and digestive system, at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, says: As is usual, during the periodic follow-up of a patient with ulcerative colitis, Muhammad's colonoscopy revealed the presence of cells in the pre-cancerous stages.

Then, after examining the results, we discussed Muhammad's case, in a multidisciplinary medical team meeting that included surgeons, pathologists, and colleagues from other specialties, to review all potential treatment options for this case.

During the meeting, it was decided to refer the case to a complete colectomy.

This eradication will be an effective treatment for colitis, and a final elimination of its symptoms, in addition to stopping the cancer, so it does not spread in the rest of its tracks. 

After the surgery, the medical care team in charge of following up on Muhammad's condition came and showed him how to take care of his stoma, and how to use the ostomy bag and take care of him, until he healed and recovered.

Doctors are now planning to perform two more surgeries for Muhammad to restore his intestinal functions, by installing a hooked pocket in the shape of the letter (j), which is placed in the place of the rectum, and connects the small intestine to the anus, in which waste accumulates before disposal, and thus Muhammad will not need the stoma, nor the stoma Then, he can return to using the toilet, normally, again. 

Dr. Shafiq Sidani, the colon and rectal surgeon who performed the surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, says: “We performed this operation for him with a minimal degree of surgical intervention, and for this reason, Muhammad was able to leave his hospital stay and return to his life quickly. Then he followed that. If we heard from him that he will participate in this sporting challenge. This is very cool, as patients are usually hesitant and unwilling to undergo stoma surgery, but here, in Muhammad’s case, he proves that you can live your usual life, even with stoma surgery; not this He just seeks to overcome the barriers that prevent him from practicing the sport he loves. This is inspiring. "

Muhammad, since his surgery, has found a new meaning of freedom.

He no longer has to arrange his life according to the availability of toilets close to him, or not.

For the first time, he could do things that many people take for granted. 

Muhammad says, "Frankly, I wish I had this surgery a long time ago. My life has completely changed for the better. Yes, I have to adapt now to a life, in which I am attached to answer, wherever I went, but now I can also do many things, I could not have been able to." I do it in the past. And now, I have coffee when I go out for a walk, and I might even take a long bike ride, and I might hike for a walk as well. I hadn't done these things before because I had to stay close to the bathroom. I was emotional With this freedom I have become very free. " 

And Mohamed, now recovering from his surgery, plans to return to surfing, and continue his path, towards the Tokyo Olympics.

Although Muhammad used to live with stoma surgery, he is keen to do everything in his power to rebuild his strength and regain his self-confidence.

His next opportunity will come at an international surfing competition in South America.

Muhammad then concludes by saying, “Not long ago, I was riding waves 55 feet high, in Portugal. Now, I play ice hockey here, and I do diving, just to see how my conditions are going now with my stoma surgery. The ostomy pocket is easy, but I was able to go back surfing. I was hesitant to do it, when I had my stoma surgery, but now I want to push myself to the more difficult stage of surfing after the operation. I have reached 55 feet and am striving for more. The height of the waves in the UAE is low, but I want to be ready when the strong waves strike. "

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