A Melody of Swans

I couldn't resist titling this blog without a reference to Sia's Titanium. I can't quite believe I am writing this, but today marks ten years since my spinal fusion. Ten years since my spine became titanium. My titanium anniversary. When 2020 popped around the corner (shortly before Ms Rona) I felt so overwhelmed at the prospect of being 'cured' of my scoliosis successfully for so long. I thought this would be a big story for my year. However, as many of you who have been following my journey this year will know that strangely that has not been the case. Apart from the casual pandemic 2020 threw us, life also threw cancer at me. I don't want cancer to overshadow this blog post, but in many ways it has overshadowed another battle I had previously had with my body. I want to give another quick disclaimer, I am not writing this as a big pity-party story; I truly want to raise awareness on another topic that has meant a lot to me for a while.  I think it's fair ...

As I turned twenty three recently I have spent a lot of time reflecting not only on the past year, but also my last twenty two years. Here is what I have learned so far: 1.) Assess where you are right now. This isn't meant to sound like the end of a yoga lesson, but I think reflection is important for individual growth. As you are reading this, think about where you are in your life right now. What day is it? What mood are you in? What have you achieved both today and in your life? Sometimes, I get so swept up in everything I forget to take a look and see where I'm at. Given the fact we are in a pandemic, and have been forced to slow down, now more than ever I've started to reflect more on what I have achieved rather than what I haven't achieved yet .  2.) Communication is key. I believe this can be defined in any kind of relationship really. I know so many reality TV series thrive off of the 'he-said-she-said' plotlines, but if anything it has taught me to dire...

I am back again with another health related blog post. However this one is a more general post aimed for anyone about to go into hospital. In my lifetime I have had two occasions where I have had to spend at least one night in hospital and here are some hacks I have of what to expect and what to pack. If you have to go into hospital I am sending you the best of luck and all my love. Hospitals are incredible, but they are also incredibly traumatic. Therefore, if you can make your stay as ‘homely’ as possible, it will improve your time there.   Day in the life of a hospital patient:   Operation day:   When you first arrive you’ll be taken to a little ward where you need to hand in your operation letter, so that they can check you in. I didn’t actually have my letter on me the second time, and they still checked me in so don’t worry if you do forget. After that you’ll be taken to a bed where you can get changed into your hospital gown, compression socks, and paper underwear ...

  Hi everyone, I hope you are all having a wonderful summer, even if it is still in a pandemic. Firstly, I wanted to say I cannot even begin to thank everyone who has messaged me since my last blog post. I have been so overwhelmed with support, and I am so grateful for all of your kind words.   As I am writing this three weeks after my operation, I thought I would give you an update on what has happened and what is in store for the future. Since my previous blog, I have pretty much spent my life at hospital for blood tests, pre-op assessments and Covid-19 tests. I was told to isolate for fourteen days before my surgery on the 21 st July. On the actual day, I had to be in for 7am. I was quite relieved it was so early as my FitBit sleep stat said I had an incredible three hours twenty five minute sleep that night. Once I arrived I was told to say goodbye to my mum and my sister (which was painful), and I had my temperature taken. I then got taken to a ward for day-patients and ...

2020 has certainly been a wild card of a year. How good that ‘wild’ is I am not so sure. I am writing this roughly thirteen weeks into lockdown, and those thirteen weeks have felt both like a year and a second all at once. Personally, my lockdown has felt like how the last kid to be picked for the sports team must feel. Although the actual experience was good in some ways, it was more the events that occurred that have made it feel utterly rubbish. I just wanted to put a little disclaimer that I did not write this post as a means for sympathy; I am aware that this pandemic is a moment in history, and so I wanted to document my experience. On March 20 th we went into lockdown and life has never been the same since! I had been working both as a LAMDA coach and a Front of House at a local restaurant. One of my school had plans in place to go online via Skype, however, the restaurant stayed open until virtually lockdown began. The last weekend I worked there I remember being sent hom...

January is nearing an end which mean Veganuary shall too. As it is a hot topic of this month I thought I'd contribute with with how this year compares to previous years as a vegan. I'm not here to complain on what is on the market, but I am here to comment on what has happened to people's perception of veganism. I also want to make it clear (despite some of society's perception of vegans) that I am also not trying to preach or encourage anyone to make the same decisions as me. I have no intention of that; I just want to comment on what I think veganism has become in 2020, and how it relates to other important lifestyle choices.  When I went vegan I kept myself very open-minded, which I think is crucial to being a successful vegan. There are lots of wacky alternatives to meat-based recipes, that are incredible once you let go of the judgement side. Of course, it is incredibly easy to stay locked to the basics and become a very unhealthy 'junk-food' vegan as...

To anyone reading this I wish you a Happy New Year, and hope you are well-rested for the year ahead. We are not only entering a new year, but we are also entering a new decade that for many may lead to a more veggie lifestyle. As it is January, I know it is often a time of change and for many will be embarking on the Veganuary journey or I guess 'challenge' you could call it. Before you read this post, don't worry it's not a preachy 'BE VEGAN OR GO HOME' article, it's just a post to help anyone thinking about or undergoing a vegan lifestyle who may need some help! As I have been vegan for two years and two months, here are the top tricks I have learnt that have enabled me to keep up this lifestyle so far. 1.) Educate Yourself: This goes without saying, but the fact that you have given Veganuary a go shows you are obviously curious to find out more about veganism. A lot of common myths are that veganism is expensive, unattainable, boring and nutriti...