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Tuesday 13th January 2026 - Slam Bump

Here's the alt-text for this image: **Alt-text:** Text graphic on a dusty rose/coral pink background reading "HELP, I'M A CHRONICALLY ILL WOMAN TRAPPED IN A CHRONICALLY ILL WOMAN'S BODY AND I HATE IT IN HERE." in white distressed handwritten-style capital letters. Website credit "MyBodyIsTryingToKillMe.com" appears in smaller text at bottom right.
@chronicillnesshumor

This weekend has been more of a slam bump than a slam dunk as my Ellyllons sneaked up in the early hours of Friday and delivered a gift-wrapped skull-smashing migraine with what I can only call extreme nausea, like I've never known before. I couldn't eat, speak, drink or take meds and ended up in a terrible pickle. I feared I would end up in the hospital to alleviate the nausea and rehydrate, and the pain was unbearable. It still feels like I've run a triathlon.

Long story short: 111 NHS out-of-hours service provided me with a prescription Saturday evening, but my lovely husband had to drive around for three hours to find a chemist that had the meds to help—and they did, thank goodness. I feel like I've taken a huge step backwards, and the rollercoaster is riding backwards around and around. Poor Connor has had a migraine, too. Bless him. We are both stuck in the darkness waiting for relief. I hate that there's nothing I can do for him at times like this. Paul's had his work cut out looking out for us all, but he's practically a hero (as a festival goer once called him). He's definitely one of mine.

My Dadio was admitted into the hospital on Friday, after pre-op tests for a minor procedure, and it was found he needed immediate heart surgery to replace a valve. I couldn't get to him or support my sisters because I was so ill. But he's awesome, in good spirits, and taking it in his stride with his usual banter and humour.

I love that man so much. I don't have enough words to express my love for him—always there, always gives the best advice and the funniest man I know. My guilt for not being able to see him really upset me. Now trying to get my meds on board, rehydrate and rebuild my strength so I can go visit him before his op. I love you Dadio, so very much.

I have to say how much I love and appreciate my sister, who has been Dad's constant companion, looking after him and making the perfect comedy duo. They are hilarious together with such a wicked sense of humour. Thankfully, you are always there for him. I only wish I could do more. I will do better. I just want to cwtch you both tight and keep you so close right now.

So, all in all, it's a good job I didn't plan any weekend activities or pay out for anything in advance. No sound bath yesterday, no chair exercise class yesterday, and I couldn't attend Lichfield District Council’s Planning Committee again due to the impact on my health. Yes, the guilt of letting my fellow councillors and friends down weighs on my mind too, but...

Today I feel more human. Still a weak, shaky, tremulous mess, but determined to get washed, dressed, and even stretch to go downstairs to seek out the warm, heated blankets on the sofa. Sounds mild, doesn't it? If only it were that easy. I assure you it's not. Thankfully, there's “a man that can” coming to look at the radiators today, so hopefully the heating will be fixed. Paul's amazing at almost everything but mention DIY and he breaks out in hives. So that’s a blessing, a silver lining to the day.

I need to be super kind to myself today. I really want to see my dad (but be in a fit state so the nurses don't think I've escaped from another ward and as not to worry him), and it's the much-anticipated Creative Burntwood launch event tomorrow, which I've been so excited about. I would love to pop in, but as we all know, where my Ellyllons are concerned, nothing is certain. But I won't give up. I will never give up.

Oh, I did get out in the snow on Friday, bribed by a drink and a cheese and onion cob (a drink I couldn't drink—possibly because I was becoming ill—and disappointingly no cheese and onion cob 🙄). But it was good to get out in the snow in my Trekinetic. I may have been wearing five layers of clothes, two pairs of socks, three pairs of gloves, a neck-warmer scarf, and two hats... I was still freezing lol. I'm picturing myself as a magnificent wheeled duvet, and honestly, that's exactly the right response to British snow and freezing temperatures.

Sha sits in her pink and black Trekinetic wheelchair on a snowy grass verge, wearing a pink knitted hat, bright red scarf wrapped around her face, blue jacket, purple trousers, and pink boots. She's giving a wave with one hand while bundled against the cold. The wheelchair's large wheels have snow on them, and there's a hedge in the background.
Motion-blurred photo of Sha rolling down a snowy street in her Trekinetic wheelchair, pink hat and red scarf visible as she moves. Snow is piled high on the pavement to her left, with houses and parked cars visible in the winter scene. The motion blur captures the speed and momentum of her movement through the snowy conditions.
Sha and Paul sit together at a wooden pub table, both smiling at the camera. Sha wears her pink hat, red cardigan over a striped top, holding a pint glass. Paul has his distinctive purple beard, large glasses, and is also holding a pint. There's a partially eaten ham cob between them. A pub quiz sign reading 'No Pens, No Paper, No Cheating!' is visible on the wall behind them.
Night-time photo of Sha in her Trekinetic wheelchair positioned in front of the Burntwood Miner statue - a large bronze sculpture of a miner with a pit pony mounted on a brick plinth. Sha is bundled in her winter layers with pink hat and red scarf, her wheelchair visible against the snowy ground. Street lights illuminate the scene with a warm glow, and shops can be seen in the background.

I still have hope that I will change direction again. Today's a better day, one small step forward.

Three Good Things

  1. Paul's three-hour chemist quest succeeded. The man's got the determination of a truffle aardvark earthpig and the love to match. Proper super husband behaviour. As always. I love him 💕
  2. My Dad's attitude is legendary (I should take a leaf out of his book). Facing heart surgery with banter and humour—he's channelling his inner Gary Delaney whilst staring down a valve replacement. That's genetic gold right there.
  3. I got outside in the snow. Dressed like a Michelin Man who'd raided an Arctic explorer's wardrobe, admittedly, but I did it. The Trekinetic rolled, the snow fell, and for a moment, the Ellyllons lost that round.

Today's Mantra

"I trust in my body's wisdom to heal, one gentle breath at a time. My strength will return to me, and my Dadios' courage will light my path. Today I honour myself with a little compassion, and tomorrow my spirits will hopefully renew."

Little Musical Bonus

Paul has a new music track releasing next week. I absolutely love it, and I'll write a post about it soon. For now, you can read about it and listen to an extract over on his blog.