Mason’s Story

Hello, my name is Mason Bock. I am an 8th grader at Norris Middle School. I enjoy wrestling as well as running cross country and track for my school. I love to go camping with my family and hanging out with my friends.

My IBD journey started in 2020 during the end of my 5th grade year. Wait let me back up… I felt sick EVERYDAY starting clear back to the 3rd grade! I remember always having a stomachache and – eventually – ending the year with the “puke bucket” at my desk almost all the time. Not to mention when I had to go, I HAD to GO! 

During the 5th grade, I started noticing blood in my stool. First, my parents and I went to the pediatrician, and I had to do a stool test – actually several. They didn't have the equipment to do a proper test, so I was referred to Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha. My doctor at Boys Town Pediatric GI, Dr. Kunnath, ran tests on my stool and did blood tests. We tried several different things to see if we could get the blood to go away but nothing worked. I ended up needing an upper and lower endoscopy. After reviewing the results, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

My 11-year-old mind absolutely blew up. I thought I would get cancer. Even the next morning, I was still freaked out. I knew I couldn't let that control me but then it came down to getting an MRI. I was scared! I had never had an MRI before, and I thought it was going to hurt. It didn't hurt but dinking the liquid before was terrible.  I threw up all over my shirt and the machine.

They originally started me on an oral anti-inflammatory agent. After I started that medication, I had to go in for two more colonoscopies. Each one seemed to get worse and worse. That is when Dr. Kunnath started me on biologic infusions. I was really disappointed, because my hopes of joining the military after high school had to change.  You can’t be a soldier and need an infusion every other month. After starting the infusion, my colonoscopies started showing less and less signs of the inflammation and the blood in my stool went away. I go in every eight weeks for an infusion, and my last colonoscopy showed zero signs of ulcerative colitis. 

All of this has turned me into a stronger person. Whether it’s emotional, physical, or mental – I am a stronger person than before my diagnosis.  I know I wouldn't be able to concur this disease without my family, friends, and the great teams here at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and Boys Town Pediatric GI – who I know do their work with immense kindness in their hearts. I am very proud to be the 2022 Lincoln Take Steps Honored Hero, because I know that this will make me even stronger and help me beat my ulcerative colitis.