Knowing that later this week is World Health Day, I decided to visit the World Health Organisation website and search for ‘chronic disease’, which they refer to as noncommunicable diseases.

I’m not usually into stats (definitely when it comes to Stage 4 breast cancer), but I...

Who am I? Why won’t I speak up? Where’s my voice gone? Why the tears?

This is what was running through my head so many times as I lay in a hospital bed. 

In the early years of MS relapses and hospital stays, it felt like the real me. The one that was getting promotions at work,...

Being diagnosed with a life-changing illness is not fair. Your life will never be the same again.

Your plans and dreams for the future are suddenly disrupted. The unpredictability of new symptoms and treatment plans impacts your daily life. It can make going to work, socialising and doing the...

The last couple of weeks have been tough. Tears were welling in my eyes for no apparent reason. Simply scrolling through reels on my phone could set me off. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional rollercoaster. Yet on reflection, it is not surprising.

As I share my story, I’m sure...

In living with chronic illness, medical tests become part of your life.

You may be searching for a diagnosis. Experiencing new symptoms and seeking answers. Or routine tests to monitor activity or progression.

In every situation, the process of medical tests is stressful – from having the...

I’ll let you in on a secret.

This year, 2023 was to be the year I launched the Hurdle2Hope podcast.

I was so excited. This was the perfect platform for me. I completed a creating podcast online course. Equipment purchased, systems setup, episodes planned. I was ready to hit record.

...

I can hardly speak. Literally. This has been a new challenge entirely off my radar. But as you’ll learn, what it has demonstrated is that…

Living with chronic illness is traumatic.

It is essential that you pause and acknowledge that. Your physical health relies on this validation.

...

Valentine’s Day. Love it. Hate it. Or indifferent. For some reason, it’s a day that stirs up emotions.

And in living with a chronic illness we’re not immune to these feelings. Our illness may at times intensify these emotions.

Do any of these scenarios resonate with you...

"Dream big, because what if it comes true.”

Don’t you love it when some inspiration pops up in your YouTube feed? It’s a quote from Pink’s Icon Award acceptance speech.

You might be thinking, “Fine for Pink to dream big but I’m living with chronic...

The moment my life changed forever

It was a Friday night. I was really tired. But thought I’d have a shower before bed. I remember taking my bra off thinking my breast was a bit sore. The wire had left a mark under my armpit.

Then in the shower, I felt a lump. I kept feeling it. Put more...