The Chronic-Ills Blog

I grew up surrounded by chaos, trauma, and instability—constantly battling health issues and eventually accepting that this was simply the hand I had been dealt. I adapted, survived, and carried on because that’s all I knew how to do.

Recently, however, my mental health took a severe hit, and my physical health declined even further. The burden became unbearable, and I found myself at a crossroads. The treatment plan I had been following to slow down my disease was failing me—its side effects were far worse than the symptoms themselves. My already fragile quality of life diminished even more, leaving me exhausted and broken.

So, I made a decision. I chose to stop the treatment.

After years of fighting for answers, enduring misdiagnoses, suffering medical negligence, and feeling like a lab rat in an endless cycle of medications, my PTSD had left me terrified of seeking further help. I was exhausted. The constant seizures, tics, and unrelenting pain had become my norm, but the treatment was stripping me of the one thing I cared about most—being a mother. My children were losing their mam to medication side effects, and I couldn’t let that continue. I came to a profound realisation: quality of life mattered more than quantity.

I wanted to be present. I wanted to be the best parent I could be. If that meant letting go of the fight for more years in exchange for better ones, then so be it.

Finding Strength in My Achievements
For the first time in my life, I can truly say that I am proud of what I have accomplished this past year.

🖤I have written and published two books of my own.
✨️I co-wrote a book with my son and my childhood friend.
🖤I had the most incredible book launch.
✨️I started my own business.
🖤I am in the healthiest relationship I have ever been in, building a strong, loving family with our children.
We are slowly working towards officially moving in together.
✨️I launched this blog.
✨️I have been making positive changes to improve my health—both physically and mentally.

None of this has come without struggle. There have been moments of doubt, of breakdowns, of wondering if I even deserved any of this. There were times I didn’t think I was strong enough to keep pushing forward. But here I am. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing children, my incredible partner, and the unwavering support of my family and friends.

A New Approach to Healing
Choosing to stop chemo and other immunosuppressive treatments does not mean I have given up. Far from it. Instead, I have decided to take control of my own health in a way that aligns with my body and my needs.

Armed with the knowledge I gained while studying medicine at university and my 22 years of experience as a patient, I have researched extensively and made an informed decision to transition to a raw, plant-based lifestyle once again.

I know what you might be thinking—the word diet and anorexia recovery don’t exactly go hand in hand. So, let’s call it what it really is: a lifestyle change.

This isn’t my first time going plant-based. When I was breastfeeding my youngest, who suffered from multiple allergies, I made the shift and was shocked by the positive impact it had—not just on my baby, but on me. My joint pain lessened, my mood stabilised, my fatigue improved, and my digestive issues became more manageable. So here I am again, at day one of this journey, determined to live a healthier and happier life—one where I don’t take a single day for granted and learn to appreciate the little things.

Why I’m Sharing My Story
This blog will be a space where I reflect on both my past and present—diving into the trauma and struggles that shaped me while documenting the journey I am on now. There are things I wasn’t ready to talk about in my books, but I am ready now.

If sharing my experiences helps even one person feel less alone, then none of this has been for nothing.

Thank you for being here.

Sincerely,
The Chronic-Ills Blog ✨️🖤