
Happy New Year! Since this time of year is always a period of introspection for me, I thought I’d do a little roundup of what I’ve done in my first full year as Patient and Public Involvement Manager at Bowel Research UK: – Embarked on a complete career change from digital marketing to patient and…

Happy what-day-is-it week! It’s time for my annual tradition of goal-setting and looking back on my goals for this year, so let’s go. Goals for 2023 Progress to the fifth year of my PhD I did this! Pass probation in my new job I did this! I’ve been in my job as Patient and Public…

Crying while listening to “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” is an act of defiance. Though it does feel a bit strange sobbing as the radio is telling you to “turn up the festive feelgood”. Maybe because the real act of defiance is putting the Christmas radio station on as soon as it starts in…

In case you missed it, here is the video from my YouTube live for the launch of “the CMMRD book”! Buy the book on Amazon in paperback or on Kindle now.

the cmmrd book: a mismatch memoir and guide Memoir and guide, released September 2023 I am pleased to announce the publication of my latest book, the CMMRD book! About the book “CMMRD may be rare, but everyone I know has met someone who has it.” While on average people with CMMRD get their first cancer diagnosis…

I’m so excited to announce that my new book will be published on 2nd September 2023! It’s called the CMMRD book: a mismatch memoir and guide and it’s all about my ultra-rare condition CMMRD, what it is, what it means for me and others who have it, and how I am learning to come to…

At my most recent appointment to have my capsule camera placed via gastroscopy, I decided to do a video diary of the process to show everyone what it’s like. Come with me as I make up my bowel prep, decide what to wear for the appointment, investigate the recording equipment, take it all off at…

Happy introspection week, as I like to call it! We’re here again in the no man’s land between Christmas and New Year, and it’s time for me to take a look at my goals for 2022, what I achieved, and the goals I’d like to set for 2023.

I could finish my PhDI can feel fulfilled by my careerI could get married and we could adopt a kidWe could get two pet catsI could live to be 40, 50, 60, 70, even 80But I will never stop having CMMRD We could win the lottery and that wouldn’t change my yearly tests – not…

Twelve years ago today I had an excruciating colonoscopy which unearthed eighteen polyps in my bowel, which led to the diagnosis of bowel cancer, which led to the removal of my colon, and genetic testing which confirmed a diagnosis of CMMRD. Twelve years later, I’m still working on coming to terms with that. I’ve spent…