Let me tell you a story about how people are wonderful. A modern Glastonbury tale of social media and kindness. In April this year, I had my 8th surgery in 5 years. We had Glastonbury tickets and I thought there was no chance of making it, I didn’t think I would be well enough to […]
This morning, I headed back to hospital for my 6 week post surgery check up. I had two hernias fixed in my last surgery, a parastomal hernia resolved, my stoma resited and abdominal reconstruction. It was a big operation and was my 8th surgery since 2013. 6 week post surgery check up I’d been warned […]
Recently I did something really awful, something I’m quite ashamed of and that I really should know better. I judged someone on their social media and their chronic illness. I saw someone posting about going out to a social event and thought “Oh, I thought this week you were really ill?!” Someone I see on […]
Today is my birthday and I reach the grand old age of 38! I swear in my head I’m only 19… Happy birthday me! It’s been a hell of a year, two surgeries, losing my nan, our American adventure, depression, a break down, a new radio show, lots of pain and plenty of struggles. I’ve […]
I know this isn’t a popular thing to say, but I do love smoking. I know how bad it is, I know it’s stinks and is dangerous, expensive, stupid etc etc etc. But I love a good old ciggie! I have smoked since I was about 14. I’ve stopped several times, didn’t touch them whilst […]
Today I wasnt to talk about vaginas. In an article in the Guardian it states that one in five young women in the UK has experienced bullying about periods. It also discusses how boys should be taught about menstruation in school. “If men don’t know about periods, how can they take period poverty or the tampon tax […]
Today’s post is about how surgery is shown on TV and in films versus the realities. And how that perception can mean you’re in for a huge shock when you have an operation in real life. Surgery recovery is different for everyone, but it’s certainly very different to how it looks on Casualty! It’s all […]
It Takes Guts is a new campaign by Crohns and Colitis UK. I was honoured to be asked to be part of it. They say: It takes guts to talk about Crohn’s and Colitis. But no one can see it until we say it. It’s time to speak up and break down the stigma.One conversation at […]
On 30th April, I went into hospital for my eighth surgery related to IBD. It was a big operation to repair a parastomal hernia and an incisional hernia. Also to resite my stoma and to deal with all the adhesions in my abdomen. I was terrified about it, believe me, it doesn’t get any easier […]
After feeling very scared and anxious about my op tomorrow I thought I’d try and think positively and make some plans about what I’ll do once I am fit, healthy, strong and recovered! So here are my post op resolutions. 1. Travel more! We love to travel, but this year I want more camping with […]