Judith's Story
Before her illness, Judith dreamed of building a career overseas. Gastroparesis brought those plans to a halt, forcing her to move back home and start over. Decades later, with the help of Enterra® Therapy, she’s finally living the full life she once imagined.
Judith, how did everything begin?
In early 2007, at 28 years old, I was teaching English in Bristol and planning a sabbatical year in China.
That spring, I started noticing strange sensations after eating—an uncomfortable fullness, a sort of pressure. I didn’t feel nauseous, just “off.” Usually, it would pass after a day or two.
Then everything changed almost overnight. During a visit home, I suddenly began vomiting without warning. Within a week, I was hospitalized for dehydration. Doctors assumed it was a bacterial infection, gave me antibiotics, and after a few days, I went home and finished the school year.
Since my trip was already arranged, I moved to China that summer. Unfortunately, my health deteriorated quickly. I was constantly ill and had to come back after only two months. Having already left my flat and job behind, I returned to my parents’ house in Swansea—something that, in hindsight, was a blessing in disguise.
You were sick for quite a long time. What did that look like day to day?
Those years became a blur of tests, treatments, and hospital stays. I was in and out of wards regularly, hoping each new scan or medication would finally explain what was wrong.
Doctors tried everything: medications, feeding tubes, and eventually a line into my intestines. That one helped a little, but just enough to keep me alive. At my lowest, I weighed around 85 pounds. Later, with slow progress, I reached a healthy 147. For a short time, I even relied on intravenous nutrition.
Then, around mid-2009, something shifted. The flare-ups grew shorter and farther apart until, for no clear reason, they stopped. After months of recovery, I returned to teaching. But within six months, the sickness returned—harder than before. My body couldn’t handle it anymore. I quit again, gave up my flat, and went back home.
Soon, I was almost completely dependent. A “good” day meant sitting on the couch. A visit from a friend or a quick hair wash counted as an event. My world shrank to hospital rooms and my parents’ living room.
When did you finally learn it was gastroparesis?
That period felt like living in a fog. I was constantly medicated, barely eating, too exhausted to process anything. My family became my voice—they never stopped pushing for answers.
At one point, doctors diagnosed Crohn’s disease, likely triggered by the stress my body had endured. After surgery for that, my doctor in Swansea began looking deeper. She referred me to a gastroenterologist in Chelmsford. For the first time, someone listened carefully.
He ordered a gastric emptying test (GET), and even though it was performed on one of my better days, the results were still severe. That’s when he suggested Enterra® Therapy as a possible treatment.
What led you to say yes to Enterra® Therapy?
By then, I’d gone through multiple operations—some exploratory, one major for Crohn’s, and another for complications. The only other solution left on the table was removing my stomach entirely, something that would create new, lifelong issues.
So when the option of Enterra® Therapy came up, my answer was immediate: yes. I was so weak that I was willing to try anything that offered hope.
What truly reassured me was knowing that if my symptoms returned, my doctor could adjust the device settings. That idea—that I wouldn’t have to start from zero again—was such a comfort.
What was recovery like after surgery?
While still in the Chelmsford hospital, I noticed something unexpected: I didn’t feel nauseous. It was such an alien feeling after years of constant sickness that it took me a moment to recognize it.
The difference was dramatic. Within weeks, I was eating small meals again. Gradually, my body regained strength. I stayed with my parents for a few months before easing back into work—part-time at first, but it felt incredible just to have energy again.
Since receiving my device, I haven’t had a single relapse. No nausea. No vomiting. Nothing.
It’s been more than a decade now. How does it affect your life today?
Honestly, it doesn’t. After the first few follow-up appointments, my visits became less frequent—every six months, then once a year. Eventually, my doctor told me there was no need to keep scheduling unless I had an issue. That was six years ago.
I’ve never had to change my settings; they’ve always stayed on the lowest level. After the pandemic, I had a check-up because the battery was running low, so we’re planning a replacement soon. Other than that, I haven’t needed anything.
And how is life now?
It’s astonishing when I think back. Gastroparesis stole years from me. I missed out on travel, career plans, independence.
But life feels full again. I never did go back to teaching—instead, I started my own business editing academic work, which I love. I take long walks, spend afternoons at the beach, and enjoy total freedom in how I live my days.
I honestly feel fitter now than I did before I ever got sick. Maybe because I appreciate health more, maybe because I take better care of myself. I practice yoga, go outside often, and feel strong.
This therapy didn’t just treat my symptoms—it gave me back the life I thought I’d lost. I can work, move, plan, and dream again. It’s been truly life-changing.