LBH - Let’s Be Honest!

Hey,

It’s been 10 months! I am so sorry! I celebrated a special birthday in July last year. I felt like I had a couple of weeks of respite and sunshine and then life took a bit of a turn in Autumn last year. 

This is a solo ramblings episode, following my update in June 2023. I had shared an update of my recovery and rehabilitation journey from diaphragmatic repair and the peri-menopause symptoms I’d noticed building up more severely the year before. 

In this episode I talk about what happened since the last episode in June last year and update you on my hormone results in July, my MRI, new consultant and subsequently another major surgery (count 7). 

Hey,

I promised I wouldn't leave it so long between recordings, it's been just over a month. Lots of rehabilitation, core strengthening and consistent steps in the right direction.

This episode is a throwback to a raw, real and genuine style of recording, from my car, on record, whilst I drive to hydrotherapy. Throwing back to September 2020, Cornwall road trip vibes. Apologies in advance for the poor quality audio and background noise.

This is a solo ramblings episode, following my update in April 2023. I shared my results from an MRI and dynamic ultrasound showing 50% reduced muscle mass in my right side torso (where I have had several lung and diaphragm surgeries) and lack of movement on the right causing severe pain, breathlessness and fatigue.

I talk about my physio and hydrotherapy plans, pacing and my phased return to work in May. Pacing hasn't been easy between rehab, work and life. My physio, consultant and GP are making changes, adjusting and trying new things to drive my recovery and progress forwards.

Hey,

LBH here! It’s been a whole year since I last recorded a solo ramblings episode (10 months since my guest podcast with Chantelle Burson).

It’s now Spring 2023. The sun is shining the UK (3rd April 2023). This is a solo ramblings episode, an update just over a two years from my major surgery during the pandemic related to thoracic/diaphragmatic endometriosis.

I talk about my return to full time work, striving for balance, starting to get my life back after hydrotherapy in 2021/2022, followed by my second bout of Covid 19 and the news that followed in January 2023 following an MRI and dynamic ultrasound.

This should bring you up to date!

I am not a medical professional, so views and experiences are my own. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment options.

References:

Hi All, 

I am excited to announce my first Guest podcast episode of series 3. Series 3 puts a spotlight on Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and Invisible Illness. 

This guest and i met in lockdown via Instagram following my thoracic endometriosis surgery. She is a true warrior and a very special woman, a mum, a fighter, an artist and an empath. 

Quote of the pod - “A soul that carries empathy is a soul that has survived enormous pain”  Jam Alker

My guest this episode is Chantelle Burson, Endometriosis & adenomyosis awareness warrior.

Chantelle is a photographer, she studied Interior Design and is from Auckland, New Zealand. She lives with her son Isaac who is 5 years old.

I love Chantelle’s determination and motivation to continue on throughout all she has been through. She is a true endo warrior.  Chantelle has lived with Scoliosis (since the age of 14) alongside endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Chantelle uses her creativity to share her story and educate others in the endometriosis community to understand more about their illness and how to get diagnosis.

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Hi Guys!

Lockdown 3.0 is slowly lifting in the UK as I record this podcast episode. The sun is shining, and we are able to meet friends & loved ones outside. This is a solo ramblings episode update about my unexpected lung surgery for my thoracic/diaphragmatic endometriosis and my road to recovery. I spent 4.5 days in ICU following open surgery to remove my thoracic endometriosis during the Covid 19 pandemic. The nurses, doctors and surgeon were incredible and made me feel safe and looked after. I was unable to have any visitors due to C-19 but I never felt alone. 

I have included some tips for items to bring into hospital (these can work for any surgery), tips for recovery when you're back at home and some fancy medical terminology that i've learn over the past 8 weeks ;). 

I am not a medical professional, so views and experiences are my own. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment options. 

Quote of the pod "Pain is just a lesson when you heal''.

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Hi Guys!  

We are currently in lockdown 3.0 in the UK as I record this in my home office in London  This is a solo ramblings episode update about what i've been up to health wise, treatment wise for my thoracic/diaphragmatic endometriosis, work wise and how i've had to adapt my approach to goals away from the typical 'New Year, New Me' goal setting (or not in the current pandemic) and of course self-care!  

Quote of the pod "Happiness is doing what you love and accepting whatever comes of it...''. 

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Welcome to series 2 of LBH - Let's Be Honest! 

My first guest is a very special one who shares both similarities in our chronic illnesses and experience in our fertility footsteps...

Nadine Lewis is a career's coach she works in higher education, she has been married to her husband Guillaume for 2 years. Nadine was first diagnosed with pelvic endometriosis in 2007. She has had lung collapses, pleural effusions (fluid on her lungs), haemothorax (a collection of blood in the space between the chest wall and the lung). As if that wasn't enough Nadine has battled diaphragmatic endometriosis and bowel obstructions including living with a stoma and colostomy bag. 

Nadine openly discusses her IVF and fertility journey with us and her followers on Instagram. She is an endometriosis, chronic illness  and fertility awareness champion and all round woman empowering other women! 

Quote of the week ''It's not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit''.

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Just a mini one guys! I’ve been out of action with an endometriosis flare up and have just found my voice again! Yay 😀 

Did we survive lockdown 2.0?

It’s my hubby’s 40th coming up and I’m so unprepared (so unlike me)! 

I’ve been pondering on the Christmas and festive season and what it means this year to us and how I am going to use this time for good...

Quote of the pod "What is the festive season? Tenderness for the past, courage for the present and hope for the future'.

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Ok guys... here we are again another month, if not more of lockdown restrictions in the UK!

I wanted to share with you some of my life survival tools for when life gets tough - not only during lockdown! These tools can be used at any time when you're feeling a little out of sorts or when you need to slow down and get back to basics. 

• Exercise daily - no matter how little
• Find time for quiet and calm 
• Be honest about your struggles 
• Pick up a book/article/magazine 
• A good sleep routine
• Talking to someone you trust 

My quote of the pod is: 'Nothing is permanent in this wicked world... Not even our troubles...' Charlie Chaplin. 

I think it's important for us to remember that whilst we are in the midst of a global pandemic, nothing is permanent the good or the bad. So we need to make the most of the peaks and the troughs in life (where we can). Turn the negatives into positives or at least learning and development opportunities. 

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Do you have a side hustle? Do you want to start a new business? Have you recently been made redundant? Suffered from burnout? Do you need a fresh start?

Have you suffered from microaggressions? Do you want to be an ally at work to support your friends and colleagues of colour? Do you even know where to begin when talking about racism with your family and friends?

Quote of the week: “Good things come to those who hustle...” It's all about starting NOW! Listen to my guest talk about side hustles and where to begin.

My guest today is Jaz Broughton she is confident, kind, intelligent, unique, authentic and the owner and founder of Just Jaz. Jaz is a life coach and is involved in setting up many fabulous initiatives.

We talk about pretty much everything, no subject is barred. Business, politics, race, equality, red lipstick and post lockdown fashion.

A very special mini solo ramblings talking about the Endometriosis APPG Enquiry. October 2020.  Find out more about my struggle with thoracic endometriosis and the amazing work Endometriosis UK and the parliamentarian APPG are doing to help support Endo warriors everywhere. 

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What is your beauty and makeup routine? Have you spent less time on your makeup in the last 6 months or do you feel you have had to make more of an effort due to a diary full of Zoom calls? Would you like to enhance your natural beauty and find a quick routine that can get you ready in no time? Tone your face and brighten your complexion for that dewy glow? 

Quote of the week: “There is beauty in simplicity...”  Sometimes the simplest routines are the ones that will be consistent and make a difference. Enhancing your natural beauty with tried and tested methods, simple 5 minute routines plus an inner confidence to embrace who you are naturally. 

My guest today is Nadira V Persaud, she is creative, confident, strong, kind, fun and a fabulous mum of one. We talk about skincare routines, facial workouts, 5 minute makeup for the school run, supplements, dating in lockdown and embracing and enhancing natural beauty. 

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Tune in and listen to my Solo Ramblings - they are random but true bitesize episodes for you to find out a little bit about me in between my guest podcasts :)

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Who is LBH The Interior Designer? 

I have always had a passion for Interior Design since I was a teenager, painting and collaging my bedroom every few months and buying matching accessories and curtains.

Through lived experiences, facing life's challenges and pushing through those tough times. I made a conscious effort to live the fullest life possible against all odds. I know that holistically making positive changes in people's lives is the way to do this. Health, lifestyle, creativity, design and practicality all tie into the ways we can work and live more effectively and create a more positive journey.

Interior Design should be accessible to all. Some of us are naturally organised and have a place for everything and others aspire to have an organised living and working space but just don't know where to begin. 

My vision is to design, create and inspire people, not only in their homes and spaces but holistically.

Quote of the week: “I'd rather regret the things i've done...Than regret the things I haven't done..."

If you are interested take a look at my website/Instagram and book an initial call via Calendly. 

Have you found that spending more time at home during lockdown has given you the opportunity to have a good sort out? Clear out your wardrobes, your kitchen cupboards or even your loft? How much have you accumulated during lockdown? Did you find that having children or teenagers at home, working from home, working long shifts that you have accumulated home delivery goodies that you don't need? Amazon anyone?! Would you even know where to start to clear your space? 

Quote of the week: “Where there is order there is tranquility” Creating calm from chaos through organisation is so important to our mental health, children's development, relationships and our working lives. 

My guest today is Dilly Carter, also known as London's answer to Marie Condo, owner and founder of Declutter Dollies. 

Dilly is a professional organiser, home move specialist, wife, mother, carer, aspiring radio DJ and high end designer fashionista! We talk about organising, decluttering, the impacts on stress, relationships, children, sex, trying for a baby, adoption  and Dilly's aspirations to become the next big radio DJ :) 

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When you just feel like you’re out of juice! You’re running on empty and you just have to shift down a gear in order to propel forwards when you’re back to full tank status 🤪 

Quote of the week: “Look after number one!” It’s that old adage... make sure you put the oxygen mask on yourself before you help others. 

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My second mini solo ramblings podcast briefly talks about the gap between expectation and reality, checking in on your “strong” friends, IFS Self Compassionate Touch therapy and 4 fast facts about me! 

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My first solo ramblings podcast reveals a lot more about my thoracic endometriosis journey, my surgeries and my periods! 

I started my period at 11 and have always had severe period pains, faints and heavy bleeding. 

All throughout my life I have been active and worked out. It was only in the past 11 years I noticed pain in my shoulder, chest pain, breathlessness and I presumed it was the muscle pain from exercise. 

In 2018 my health took a turn for the worst. I went from what I thought was fit, healthy and well to A&E, collapsed lungs and several surgeries. 

I am speaking out to bring awareness to invisible illnesses and the warriors that carry them strong 💪 

Quote of the week: “In the waves of change we find our true direction” 

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Why is mental health important more so now than ever? Today I have my debut guest, a very special woman who has impacted my life in the short time we have known each other. She is kind, she is compassionate, she is selfless, she goes out of her way to help others and leaves behind an abundance of care, smiles and happiness. I am so honoured to introduce my first guest - Sally Desborough, Founder of Your Well-being Hub, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, Shout text line volunteer and all round wonderful person! 

You can find Sally on:

Linked In: Sally Desborough 

Facebook: Your Wellbeing Hub 

Instagram: @Your_wellbeing_hub 

Twitter: Desboroughsally 

Quote of the week “Your health is your wealth”🙏🏻🥰

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This is me LBH (Let’s be honest) but... who am I?! 

I am Lindsay my friends and colleagues call me LBH (my initials). In 2016 a colleague and I were talking about our initials and he said to me... what about Let’s Be Honest as you’re upfront and you say things as they are?! At this stage I had been called LBH since around 2010 and hadn’t really thought about it too much. I liked it though.... 

So who is LBH? Apart from being open and honest? I am a 5ft 1, blonde, female, with a kind heart and a whole load of sass 💁🏼‍♀️ I love going on new adventures and spend my life learning from others, wanting to understand their stories and journeys. I work in finance as my day job and have a side hustle as an interior designer (my creative alter ego).  I am creative yet logical and methodical (what a mix). 

I was diagnosed with thoracic/diaphragmatic endometriosis back in 2018 by pure luck. I had been taken into A&E with a full lung collapse which led to my first of 3 lung surgeries. 6 surgeries under my belt and I have been sharing my story to spread awareness so that others don't have to suffer. It hasn't always been easy but I am a fighter 💪 

I know we all have it in us to turn our lives around. To choose to not let things define us. I’m not saying it’s easy, not at all... it’s taken me 4 years to start building up the tools, the skill set and the headspace to do so. I am continually learning and wanted to create this space to give others a platform to share their voice. 

I can honestly say it’s worth the time and effort to live my life and keep that sparkle! Please come along on my journey, follow my footprints 👣 and those of my guests! 

Thank you 

LBH 💛

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