“In November [2024], I got just a little bit sick. I felt just a little bit off, but I didn’t take it too seriously — and then next thing you know, we’re about a month in,” Appiah, 34, said in a Thursday, January 17, Instagram video. “By the time I got to the doctor’s in December, I was having fevers for about three weeks, I had lost 20 pounds. Based on those symptoms, the doctors discovered it could be an array of things.”
While Appiah’s physicians were initially worried he had cancer, it was eventually determined that the reality TV alum was battling ulcerative colitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes sores in part of the digestive tract.
In his Instagram caption, Appiah called his diagnosis “very scary,” and detailed how he plans to manage his symptoms moving forward.
“This experience changed the way I think about it,” he wrote. “As someone who’s never experienced health-related issues, I’m now forced to change my diet and lifestyle to accommodate my health. Happily accepting that responsibility, and encouraging everyone to stay ahead, so you don’t get too far behind.”
Appiah has also learned several lessons from the health scare.
“Quick reminder that life is incredibly precious,” the Netflix star said in his social media video. “I didn’t realize how important the normal things I did in my day were for me until I couldn’t do them anymore.”
Appiah continued, “Lesson No. 2: Small things can lead to big problems if we ignore them, so don’t. Lesson No. 3: Information is everything. You have to know what it is, if you are going to fight it.”
By the time the video was uploaded, Appiah was on the mend.
“I love you, baby! To have you feeling better and on your way to remission is such a blessing,” the speech pathologist replied. “Proud of you for your message, your openness and advocacy. It’s not easy talking about such personal matters and you did so beautifully.”
