Life In Recovery: No More Hospital

I started Life In Recovery with the sole aim to help people find hope and help if they (or their loved ones) were struggling with a long-term illness. I have been quite careful (and conscious) that I use my own experiences to that end, while not making this corner of the internet about me. That is why I have never said my name, nor shared a lot of intimate detail about my past, present or future life; I have always felt that would get in the way of providing help and hope, and it isn't something I find comfortable. However, there have been times when I have shared some of my more personal moments; for example, my anniversary posts (check out year one, year two, year three, and year four if you've missed them). This week marked another big moment in my recovery, and I wanted to share some of the words I wrote to friends and family members on here too - as you, and this blog, have also been part of the story.

"I bet you all thought you'd got away without another of these streams of consciousness until my next anniversary post in August, but no...

Today marks a big moment in my recovery; my last hospital appointment. I told my doctor I felt I was ready to stop attending appointments back in May, and it's taken eight months to get to this point. After years of meetings and treatment since my discharge as an inpatient in August 2013, to say that the relationship my doctor and I built during the past four years (a momentous period of my life) became a very important one, is an understatement. Finishing that chapter, and leaving that relationship, has been a big step; but one that I chose and feel ready for. Today I said goodbye to my doctor (with smiles, tears and big hugs), today I was able to try and thank my doctor, today I moved into a new phase of my life, today I reflected on how far I've come and today I was made to realise just how far that is. If you're reading this, it means you've been part of the story so far (even if it's just been in the last chapter, or the latest page), and it means you'll be part of the rest of my onward (and hospital-less) life. For that I thank you, and I'm so excited to see where life takes us all. It's been an incredibly emotional day; I've been through stacks of tissues...but now it's time to dry my eyes and look forward. Anyway, here ends the thought-vomit, it just leaves me to say how grateful I feel to be where I am in my life, and to say a very heartfelt and extra-special thank you to those of you who helped me get here - I couldn't have done it without you. "

This is how I felt on Wednesday afternoon. I do, however, want to write up how I am feeling now - a couple of days later - and also see how I feel in a couple of weeks, so there will be another blog post on that in the next month or so. 

Also, keep your eyes out for a separate piece coming very soon about how I said goodbye to that doctor/patient relationship and my thoughts on how important that relationship can be...

Have their been therapeutic relationships you've found hard to let go?

How to get in touch (and all that social media stuff)

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Bed-bound: Pressure sores/bedsores and how to prevent them

This video discusses the causes of bedsores/pressure sores/pressure ulcers and a few ways to prevent them.

I really hope you enjoy watching the videos and that they can help you or someone you know.

Do you have any suggestions for helping prevent and/or treat bedsores? Are you worried about getting bedsores?


How to get in touch:

YouTube - http://t.co/CGZBkZnWU2

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Recovering_Life

Blog - http://yourlifeinrecovery.blogspot.co.uk/

Email - yourlifeinrecovery@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Recovering.Life

UK Blog Awards 2016 - #UKBA16

Sooooo...it's that time of year again when the amazing UK Blog Awards open up and this year Life In Recovery has been entered into two of the categories; ODEON Cinema Headline Award: Best Storyteller and Health & Social Care!

I'm incredibly excited and pleased that the blog is taking part again this year. Last year was a great experience; connecting with lots of fabulous bloggers/vloggers/creatives who fill the internet with some incredible, powerful and inspiring content.

Voting won't open until January 4th 2016 and I'll be sure to keep you all informed - so stay tuned! You can follow all the chat and discover other blogs entered into the UK Blog Awards 2016 by checking out the #UKBA16 feed on Twitter.

As ever, I massively appreciate all of you reading, watching and reacting to the (far too infrequent) bits and bobs I create on this blog.

How to get in touch:

YouTube - http://t.co/CGZBkZnWU2
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Recovering_Life
Blog - http://yourlifeinrecovery.blogspot.co.uk/
Email - yourlifeinrecovery@gmail.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Recovering.Life

Jargon Buster - Psychosomatic

A short film explaining the meaning of the word 'Psychosomatic'.

"Your body hears everything your mind says" - Naomi Judd

Links to online information:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-mind-body-connection/201306/chronic-pain-syndrome-and-other-psychosomatic-illness

http://staroversky.com/blog/psychosomatic-illness

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/psychosomatic-disorders

I really hope you enjoy watching the videos and that they can help you or someone you know. I would love to hear from you if you have anything you would like to say.

How to get in touch:

YouTube - http://t.co/CGZBkZnWU2

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Recovering_Life

Blog - http://yourlifeinrecovery.blogspot.co.uk/

Email - yourlifeinrecovery@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Recovering.Life

My UNA-UK article on the need for holistic healthcare

A few months ago I was asked if I would like to write an article for the United Nations Association - UK (UNA-UK) quarterly magazine New World. I jumped at the opportunity, of course! I'm happy to be able to say that the magazine and web exclusive articles have now been published.

If you've never heard of UNA-UK before then this little blurb taken from their website might help explain who they are and what they do. 

"The United Nations Association - UK (UNA-UK) is the UK's leading source of independent analysis on the UN, and a UK-wide grassroots movement.

UNA-UK believes that a strong, credible and effective UN is essential if we are to build a safer, fairer and more sustainable world. We advocate strong government support for the UN and demonstrate why the UN matters to people everywhere.

We pursue this mission by:

• Connecting people to the work and values of the UN
• Influencing decision-makers and opinion-shapers to support UN goals
• Explaining how the UN works and what it can realistically achieve
• Stimulating debate and action on how to make the UN more effective
• Equipping our members and supporters to further all of these aims

UNA-UK derives great strength from its members and supporters, and UK-wide network of local, school and university branches. Together, they form a critical mass of support for the UN in the UK and beyond."

The Winter Issue of New World is a bumper double edition with one publication dedicated to looking at Britain's role on the world stage and the Autumn section addresses the field of global health, the world's major health concerns and the UN's efforts to tackle them. There are also articles published as web exclusives (which mine is one of.)

In both issues there are some incredible articles, essays and infographics. The subjects range from foreign policy to the Ebola virus, HIV/AIDS therapies to concerns about the access to healthcare in developing countries. The magazine also raises fundamental questions about the world we live in and I would strongly recommend giving the current and past issues a read as they are a gold-mine of information and eye-opening stories from people 'in-the-know' and on the front-lines of the issues being discussed.

If you wish to read the article I wrote on the need for a more holistic approach to health then I'd love for it to start a conversation about the importance of assessing and treating individuals' health as a 'whole.'

How to get in touch:

YouTube - http://t.co/CGZBkZnWU2

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Recovering_Life

Blog - http://yourlifeinrecovery.blogspot.co.uk/

Email - yourlifeinrecovery@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Recovering.Life