Hello 2021 👋🏻 I have to admit, I am surprised this post is being published on time! January. A month of lockdown and little else to do but write. Yet, I did everything but write. Why? Because I know this part of my journey is the most painful. My first blog…
My Friend Wendy
One Year On: Happy Wendy-versary!
18th December marked one year since my stoma surgery. A big milestone and surreal to see how far I have come since last December. I still can’t quite believe it has been a whole 12 months since I faced my biggest fear and Wendy came into my life. FaceTiming…
My Second Admission: Part I
You might remember from my September blog that during the lead up to my stoma surgery, I had two hospital admissions. A year ago today, I was between them. A year to the day since my struggles on a liquid diet, starving myself with false hope that I could heal…
The Voice of Support I Needed
Since my stoma surgery in December last year, my key focus has been my physical recovery. It’s been a long journey that is not over yet, but my last open wound has FINALLY healed...hallelujah! Considering how far I have come, now feels like the right time to tune…
My First Admission
During the lead up to my stoma surgery I had two hospital admissions. My first was full of false hopes and during my second, I faced my biggest fear and met Wendy. For my September blog, I’m going to write about my first admission, during which I was accompanied…
Lockdown Silver Linings
I read an email this week which reminded me that 2020 isn’t cancelled. It’s tempting to write off this year when this mindset seems to be everywhere at the moment, don’t you think? The truth is, it feels like I have been in my own lockdown since…
My Biggest Flare
Crohn’s disease is a chronic illness, which means it will come and go throughout my life, although I can’t remember the last time I was in remission, or if I ever was. When the symptoms get really bad, this is called a flare. I have had lots of…
Behind The Headline: Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and MSP
"Patient, 34, DIES after judge ruled he had right to refuse operation because he did not want to live with a permanent stoma bag." (Daily Mail, 10 June 2020) Some of you may have seen this headline earlier this month. A heart-breaking story particularly for the stoma community…