29/07/2026
This time, one year ago, I was starting my recovery from becoming bed-bound.
I had found out the reason that I was in so much pain. MRI's revealed that I had two cysts growing out of my spine, one of which was pressing on a nerve. The pain was excruciating, and even though I was in bed, I was terribly uncomfortable. They're called Tarlov cysts, and in 95% they are symptomless, lucky me, I was in the 5%!
I'd had a period of significant stress, a relative had attempted su***de, and I had a friend staying with me that had had a major injury who I was helping until they found a new place to live. I had to stop.
The next few months were a journey of diet changing, herbal and homeopathic medicines, supplements, sound healing, juicing, yoga, journalling, and self-reflection.
By Christmas of the same year (last year) I'd improved my pain considerably, written a book, and had it published.
I'm writing this to let you know that there was a day, lying in the bed, that I made a choice. I was so angry, and said, "This is NOT going to be my life!".
I'm so glad I was angry, it gave me a level of grit and drive to get well again. Is my back still sore? Every now and then it grumbles, though one of the cysts burst while I was healing (that was a weird experience, if you've had kids, imagine your waters breaking inside the top of your butt cheek).
I'm grateful that I threw everything I knew from a complementary medicine perspective and it worked for me, because the alternative which could have been drainage with glue, or surgery with risk - being the spinal column and all - was not a road I was happy to go down unless I really had to.
Overall, I'm doing really well. My body was burnt out when my mind wanted keep going. Your body doesn't lie, so pay attention to the small signs before they become big ones. Do yourself a favour and get yourself checked out, have your bloods done regularly, and if something feels off please get it seen to.
Chronic pain and inflammation can be due to long-term stress, and you might not even realise it's contributing to your health issues
What is your body trying to tell you?
Are you listening to it?
Let me know if you'd like some help.