As we have reported earlier, American Idol season 10 alum Casey Abrams has been in and out of the hospital for the past few months battling ulcerative colitis, an incurable autoimmune disease that affects the intestines and colon.
His first three trips to the hospital were walk-ins. The fourth trip, in an ambulance, resulted in emergency surgery to take out his entire colon.
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Contribute to Casey’s GoFundMe
A week ago, the singer-songwriter’s friends created a GoFundMe to help pay Casey’s medical bills and make up for lost revenue from being unable to tour as he recuperates. Amazingly, the singer has raised over $80,000 of a $100,000 goal in less than a week! Fans can donate at this link.
In a video introducing the GoFundMe, Casey explicitly describes what it means to have no colon. The good news: He no longer has ulcerative colitis. The bad news: he can only expel solid waste through a stoma–a bag attached to a hole in his body.
“I remember crying a lot” For now, Casey poops in a bag attached to his body
“I just couldn’t stop bleeding,” Casey explains about why doctors took the drastic measure after many blood transfusions. “I remember crying a lot,” said Casey. “I remember not wanting to do it. But I had to do it so I could stay alive.”
The bag, which needs to be changed constantly, isn’t easy for him to manage and makes going out on the road hard. However, upcoming surgeries will make his new reality more manageable. The next step is for surgeons to create a “J pouch,” “S pouch” or “W pouch,” which would connect his intestine to his an*s. Recovery could take anywhere from a couple of months to a whole year.
Earlier today, a smiling Casey posted a video thanking his fans for their continued support. “It’s been a hard couple months,” Casey says, “But man you guys have made it a little bit easier for me. I thank you so much. It really means the world to me.”
