An Ipswich man was left fearing for his life after visiting the toilet 25 times in one day resulting in urgent Christmas Eve surgery.
Andrew Stobbs, 54, was rushed to hospital after being unable to keep any food or drink down before doctors found he had an inflammatory bowel disease.
A painter and decorator by trade, Mr Stobbs' life has been turned upside down and a fundraiser has been launched to help the family recover in the aftermath.
He said: "It was terrifying. I could feel myself getting weaker and weaker by the day at the start.
"I can't believe just how quickly life can change and mine will forever be different.
"Six weeks ago I was and down a ladder all day and now I have to hold onto my wife just to walk to the end of the road."
At the end of November, Mr Stobbs started feeling unwell which ultimately led to him not being able to keep any food or drink down.
"I'd never suffered from any sort of illness before, and after a while I started to pass blood." Mr Stobbs added.
The GP referred him to Ipswich Hospital immediately where he continued to rush to the toilet all hours of the day.
Eventually, examinations showed that Mr Stobbs had ulcerative colitis - a long-term condition that causes ulcers in the colon and rectum.
Two medical infusions failed to help Mr Stobbs worsening condition as he lost four stone during his bout with the illness.
"It was terrifying passing blood like running water, the doctors were trying to run tests as it was my first flare up but they knew I needed surgery," he said.
A seven-hour surgery followed which saw doctors remove Mr Stobbs' colon and provide him with a stoma.
Mr Stobbs was returned home on New Year's Eve where he is now recovering but still losing a pound each day.
A fundraiser has been launched to help support the Stobbs family - which includes an 11-year-old - while Mr Stobbs is off work recovering.
To donate to the GoFundMe visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gxxmsq-my-brother-and-sister-in-law
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