Frank and Josie's House

One day I would like to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. One day I would like to wake up and not be in pain. I would like to not have to think of breakfast in terms of eating enough to take painkillers. I would like energy. Not for anything specific, just energy so I don’t feel like I’m walking through treacle. I would like to run, jump and dance about with my kids. I would like to hold down a job to relieve the financial pressure on my husband. I would like to eat a whole massive chocolate cake full of butter, wheat and sugar not have it tainted by worry of how I’ll feel tomorrow. I would like a caffeinated coffee just because I want one. I would like to be well enough to give my exhausted husband a day off. He’s exhausted because he picks up all the slack I leave in my wake. I’d like to look at my watch and not count the hours until my next painkiller. I would like to loose weight. I’d like to not have a swollen belly because of my illness. I’d like to not rely on ant...

Hi all. I was tempted to start with post with an apology for not posting the last couple of weeks and then realised it was unnecessary. You are an understanding lot and won't mind that. Especially when I tell you it's been busy as we've had visitors but also I've been suffering with my endometriosis symptoms these last couple of weeks. It's difficult having a toddler and permanent back pain plus fatigue. But it was worth struggling through to see my sister and her family. I'm close to my sister so it was important that she and her family visit us here. We've gone from living 70 miles and one and a half hours away to 500 miles and a one and half hour flight. A slight difference. She also suffers from a long-term illness so at times we became “old women”. and sat on the sofa chatting with knitting needles in hand...well she knitted and I crocheted but that doesn't read as well. We had a lovely week with them. It was U.K. Easter holidays but not French East...

Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. Sometimes it's a minor setback and sometimes not. And some days you just need to give in and have that extra sleep, watch the tv and just be who you are in yourself. Not someone's mum or wife, sister or friend. Not someone who constantly needs to do something for other people but just you being you. Sometimes your brain needs it and sometimes your body does. Some days the hoovering can be ignored. Some days the washing can be left where it is. It's ok to have those days, those days when the most you do is play tea parties with your toddler in her play tent. I truly believe all that. So why do I find it so hard to except for myself? Rose makes the tea I have to start admitting to myself that I have a long-term illness which can flare up unexpectedly and throw all my plans out the window. So my plans for today (which were pretty mundane) are now passed over to my husband. I always feel incredibly guilty for this. I see i...

Firstly a quick catch up. You may recall (if you've come across my blog before) that I've been having abdominal issues. When we were still in the U.K. it was still undiagnosed despite a laparoscopy and many tests and scans. Well the short version is that I have endometriosis. I've basically diagnosed myself by putting together all the facts. I know diagnosing oneself when there is no medical training can be dangerous but let me reassure you that I have had this listed as a possibility. After my laparoscopy I was told I had some endometriosis but not enough to cause the pain I was having. Having looked at a few websites I pieced the puzzle together to discover this has been an issue for 16 years and been missed time and again. The best explanation of what this disease is is this: "Endometriosis can be a distressing disease affecting women's health. It can cause the most excruciating pain and in some women it appears to trigger fertility or infertility problems or as...