I am scared. And that is okay. There is always a little fear when it comes to thinking about your chronic illness. There are alot of questions, not enough answers, you wonder about alot of what ifs and you can sometimes panic with the overwhelmingness…
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Studying & Chronic Illness
Deadlines and unpredictable health are at opposite ends to each other. I remember the churning of my insides when my degree deadlines would creep up on me – I hadn’t been diagnosed with IBD at this point – and was at a loss of how…
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TEN THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT… SPRING
It’s time for part two of the “Ten Things” series, today focusing on Spring. I am a Spring baby – born in April – so I feel drawn to this time of year as a time of celebration. Even if, as I get older, I…
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10 Tips for Feeling Comfortable with IBD
Throwback to an eventful Thursday afternoon in September 2011 when I was sat on the recovery trolley trying to grapple with the fact my latest test had discovered I have Crohn’s Disease. It was an understandably emotional time; the gravity of the situation was palpable…
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Health Anxiety
What is meant by ‘health anxiety’? A sudden or unexpected health event can change your life in many ways. Feelings of shock, anger, grief, loss and sadness can be commonplace. And while these feelings usually pass with time, if they cause ongoing stress, you may be…
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IBD, an Ostomy & Living with a Partner
Lately I’ve been reflecting on just how far I’ve come with my ostomy. I’ve been going without my medication – under the guidance of my IBD team – for a five months now and I’m feeling wistful. This hasn’t happened before. It’s unchartered territory for…
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Self Love & Self Care
“Self-love, self-respect, self-worth: There’s a reason they all start with ‘self.’ You can’t find them in anyone else.” ~Unknown SELF-CARE means mindfully and consistently nurturing all aspects of your own wellbeing. Spiritual, physical – this is the aspect where we tend to mainly focus our…
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Chronic Illness & Guilt
Diagnosis of a chronic illness is just the begining of a life long struggle with acceptance and a certain loss of idenity. I remember sitting in that doctor’s office being diagnosed with PCOS at seventeen not knowing what any of this meant. Why would I…
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TEN THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT… WINTER & NEW YEAR
Today happens to be #BlueMonday but here I am celebrating the good things that come from this cold and sometimes miserable time of year. Autumn and Winter are my favourite times of year. Yes, it might be darker and colder for more of the daytime…