Medical Musings With Sam

After 4 years behind the microphone, I have made the decision to cease Podcasting, “Medical Musings With Sam” There are a number of reasons: The easy to use software I was using for recording through my Podcast host is no longer available and the alternatives are cumbersome requiring major editing, which is not something I can deal with with life’s ongoing challenges. Both Peter’s health, with his recent Alzheimers diagnosis, and my bone disease , are progressing for the worse and I am absolutely exhausted. Something has to give As I reviewed all the activities under the “My Medical Musings” portfolio, the Podcast, while doing well, has the least interaction. The good news is the Podcast will still be available to listen to permanently and there are 84 episodes available…..here’s the Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YqbguCqSJtAjbiruJbMqO

July is my birthday month, and I’m very excited to announce I’m running a competition on my podcast and the blog to give away a copy of my book: “My Medical Musings, A Story of Love Laughter Faith and Hope, Living With A Rare Disease “. All you need to do is listen to a podcast episode and leave a review or comment on either Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts, or Audible. If you listen through a different podcast app, please leave a review there, and just DM me to let me know, and I’ll still include you in the book giveaway competition. There are three episodes/posts throughout July, each giving an opportunity for you to enter the competition. This is the last one of the three. Here’s the link to my blog: www.mymedmusings.com If you are not a podcast listener, you can also leave a review in the comment section of this blog post, and you will also be added to the competition draw at the end of the month!!

July is my birthday month, and I’m very excited to announce I’m running a competition on my podcast and the blog to give away a copy of my book: “My Medical Musings, A Story of Love Laughter Faith and Hope, Living With A Rare Disease “. All you need to do is listen to a podcast episode and leave a review or comment on either Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts, or Audible. There will be three episodes/posts throughout July, each giving an opportunity for you to enter the competition. If you listen through a different podcast app, please leave a review there, and just DM me to let me know, and I’ll still include you in the book giveaway competition. If you are not a podcast listener, you can also leave a review in the comment section of the blog post at www.mymedmusings.com and you will also be added to the competition draw at the end of the month!! So, without further ado, here’s the second excerpt from my book: Chapter 2, A Full and Fulfilled Chronic Illness Life

July is my birthday month, and I’m very excited to announce I’m running a competition on my podcast and the blog to give away a copy of my book: "My Medical Musings, A Story of Love, Laughter, Faith and Hope, Living With A Rare Disease " All you need to do to enter the competition is listen to a podcast episode and leave a review or comment on either Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts, or Audible or your usual Podcast listening app. If you are not a podcast listener, you can also leave a review in the comment section of the blog post at www.mymedmusings.com, also being published today, and you will also be added to the competition draw at the end of the month!! So, without further ado, here's the first e-book style excerpt from my book: Chapter 21, A Trip Down Memory Lane Hope you enjoy xx

July is my birthday month, and I'm very excited to announce I'll be running a competition on my podcast to give away a copy of my book: "My Medical Musings, A Story of Love Laughter Faith and Hope, Living With A Rare Disease ". All the competition details are in this Podcast episode. I can't wait to give one of my listeners a free copy of my book. Love, Sam 💓 #spotify #audible #applepodcaster

Hi everyone , On today's podcast episode, I'm excited to share with you what I consider to be one of the best YouTube travel vloggers, "The Buddymooner" https://youtube.com/@thebuddymoon?si=35a720dfI2S2ENI6 They are a young married South African couple who are so genuine and down to earth and honestly make you feel you are travelling with friends. In fact, on their YouTube channel, their description of their vision for their vlogs aligns so much with the vision of "My Medical Musings" platforms (book, blog, podcast, and forum). They believe adventures and travels are best done with buddies! As a disabled people, they just get their vlogs right in terms of having a wonderful travel experience with them and really feeling like I was with friends who want to give me the best experience possible while not being afraid to tell it like it is and not overdoing their excitement when things are amazing. I then go on to talk to you about tiredness, and it's ok to be honest about not coping for a while. It's ok to be real and genuine. I hope you enjoy this "eclectic" podcast episode, and I really hope you check out the "Buddymoon" on YouTube. Safe "virtual" travels with friends Love, Sam xx 😘

My latest episode is all about finding "The Good Stuff" in your life to distract you from living with chronic illness. This is the stuff we need to do to mitigate "The Bad Stuff." This is about our well-being, our efforts to reclaim ourselves from the octopus arms of our diseases, and break free as much as we can. I hope my "Good Stuff " list motivates you to find yours and incorporate it into your daily and weekly routine. https://mymedmusings.com I also want to highlight a wonderful travel vlog I've just discovered. The husband and wife team, Leanne and Dan, known as thebuddymoon, are from South Africa They're so authentic, and you really feel you are experiencing travelling with good friends. You can check them out on You Tube... https://youtube.com/@thebuddymoon?si=5n606IPOAuSOb_xq Have fun discovering your "Good Stuff" Love, Sam xx

Well, here we go again on a bit of a roller-coaster. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of the vision of my husband slumped half on the floor, with his head slammed into the hard arm of the chair, unconscious and vomiting while unresponsive. I’ve never been so scared in all my life. In this episode I share our incredibly scary COVID journey which I am still on. If nothing else I hope it raises awareness that we still need to be careful. This thing is fatal. Take care and thanks so much for listening. Sam xx

A few weeks ago, my husband ended up in hospital with a suspected stroke. After numerous tests, including an MRI angiogram, a stroke was ruled out, but he was told he had short-term memory loss and “wear and tear ” showing on the MRA. I could have told them that, so I wasn’t particularly happy with the outcome. Once I was able to view the actual MRA report and do some research, it was apparent the damaged area of the brain was a little more than “wear and tear.” Within weeks, we were given the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease, and a new life changing chapter of our lives begins. I'm going to take you on our journey as much as I can to shine a light on this insidious disease. I hope you'll learn from my never-ending mistskes of what not to do, as well as feel encouraged by our love and commitment to each other to provide ongoing support and to do as much as we can to still laugh and live a life of faith and hope. One thing I forgot to say on the podcast is that my husband is being referred to a neurologist in the hope he might be eligible for medication to slow the process. I'll keep you posted. Here's some links I also promised to Alzheimers Queensland resources: https://alzheimersonline.org/dementia-resources/ and my blog post, " Let's Make Some Lemonade," https://mymedmusings.com/2022/01/19/lets-make-some-lemonade/ Thanks for listening Sam xx www.mymedmusings.com

In this episode, I share my recent complex health update with details not in my blog posts. I share how I'm coping or not coping but more importantly I share my strategies for dealing with so many changes to my health and life circumstances. These tips are as relevant to chronic and complex illness as they are to any other life changing circumstances. I hope you will find something that resonates for you. If you would like to keep up with my musings on a weekly basis you can check in with my blog at www.mymedmusings.com. Thank you so much for listening. I so appreciate your support. Love, Sam xx #change #plans #ponder #divideandconquer #support #pain

As a patient advocate, I am often called, inspiring, motivating, and full of strength despite my adversities. While I want to be all those things in order to reach others and help them through their own inspiring, motivating, and incredible chronic illness journeys, the truth is most days I am just treading water. I feel every inch of my daily pain. I look in the mirror, and my heart sinks at the reflection of the woman I used to be, let alone the woman I’d like to be now. When we are treading water, we are not drowning. I think that’s an important point. Quite likely to the outside world, we look like we are managing very well. When treading water, your head is still above the ocean, and while a few waves may threaten to crash over, you are generally afloat. Others would have little idea of the struggle going on underneath the calm blue sea. Does A Diagnosis Make a Difference? The diagnosis doesn’t change the outcome in terms of treatment or cure. There isn’t any, but it answers so many questions for me, and that’s priceless! Everything I’ve experienced now makes so much sense. Yes, it’s rare. Yes, it’s a crazy disease. Yes, it’s progressive, and I’m acutely aware of the ramifications of that as my symptoms and my pain levels increase. But I now know why, and for some reason, that knowledge removes its power over me. It’s part of me rather than being something attacking me from nowhere. I hope you enjoy this episode as I share highs and lows and celebrate an amazing diagnostic milestone. Take care Sam xx www.mymedmusings.com #rarediseaseday #Osteopetrosis #cancer

You would be forgiven for thinking this is a Valentine’s Day post given the title I’ve chosen. It is about love but with a twist. This blog post is about loving life again when chronic illness takes away things we have always loved but can no longer do. It’s about love and losses. It’s my musings about acceptance being the gateway to a new life. Acceptance is not a sad resignation. It’s the pathway to peace, happiness, and freedom from prolonged grief. Sam Moss For me, acceptance is acknowledging my disabling rare disease “is what it is”. It’s part of me, but it’s not all of me. I have formed strategies over the past ten years to adjust to my change in circumstances and to live a contented life. www.mymedmusings.com

As a new year looms, I have begun thinking about what’s important to me, what’s missing from my life, and what changes I want to make and need to make in 2024. I've done a lot of sharing over the years! I’ve been blogging for eight years now, sharing my chronic illness story, my love story, my personal life in general, and I’ve even had my memoirs published in a full book. It’s been a lot of sharing! All the while managing my Facebook support group, volunteering for Arthritis Queensland, moderating some of their online support groups. I also established a podcast two years ago and have consistently recorded and published episodes once or twice a month. It’s been a lot of sharing and a lot of work. Each element is a full-time job in its own right.I still want to be an open book, but I need to close some of it to reclaim space to be private, reflective, and hold on to things extra special to me. I need to protect those things that do not require the scrutiny that comes with a public life. So 2024 will have a strong private focus. For more on why I'm making this change, this podcast episode reveals all. Hope you enjoy it! Love, Sam

Perhaps chronic illness is giving me a Christmas gift. The gift of time. Time to stop. Time to get out of the rat race of life. Time to reconnect with what really matters in life. In this episode I celebrate Christmas with you, focusing on the restraints chronic illness brings to our personal experience while exploring ways to still have the best Christmas ever. Plus, there may be a Christmas solo from yours truly at the very end, singing my favourite carol and the solo I always sang at the Christmas Eve Service, in my previous life. Happy Christmas Everyone and thank you so much for all your support throughout 2023. Speak to you in 2024. Take care, Sam xx www.mymedmusings.com

I’ve never been one for focusing on “me.” I’ve always naturally put everyone in my life first, including family, friends, church, volunteering, and work. I realised this week that I’ve even been doing this from a medical perspective, especially since being diagnosed with complex chronic, often acute, illness. I was chatting to my occupational therapist a few weeks ago and explaining how I couldn’t bear the thought of going back to the hospital, how sick and tired I was of appointments, and how exhausted I was. She said it sounded like I might be experiencing Medical post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). My immediate response was; " yes, I’m pretty sure I am”. I need time to have fun again, to block out all the “have too’s” and spend blocks of time feeling free to focus on unimportant things, trivial things, moments of not worrying about commitments, health and other life stresses etc. I need quality time to spend with my husband. In this podcast episode I share my thoughts on what I will be doing to make significant changes in my life to deal with Medical PTSD and reclaim "me". Love, Sam ❤️ www.mymedmusings.com

My husband and I have been married for almost 28 years, and during that time, he’s slept on the right side of the bed, and I’ve slept on the left. It’s 5am, and I’m not in bed. Although I’m so exhausted from an over busy week and I need to be there. I need to be comfortable, secure, and free from an elbow bent in such a way that it’s like a bow waiting for its arrow to be inserted, and fired directly into the side of my spine! Too dramatic? Maybe. Maybe not. You know it’s ok to sometimes admit defeat. In fact, it often takes more strength of character and courage to do so than to continue with a situation, a circumstance that isn’t right for you and is being driven by others ideas of what they think is best for you. In this Podcast episode, I'm back to my normal anecdotal Musings of living life with a chronic disease and my husband. Hope you enjoy. Take care, Sam www.mymedmusings.com

MY "TROLL" STORY: I experienced some "trolling" this week. My first ever which was a bit of a miracle, given that my patient advocacy work is public. It's never nice is it but it was a good reminder to focus on the beauty in our lives, be truthful to ourselves and with others, and those "trolls" just won't have the power or impact they seek to have. #naneahoffman #trolls #patientadvocacy #GoFundMe #gratitude www.mymedmusings.com

In this latest podcast episode , I tell the full story of why we have needed to fund raise. I discuss the overall experience of stepping outside of our comfort zone and the varying reactions of others. Plus, the meaning behind a simple phrase, told to me by a dear old lady when I was sweet 16, that connects this entire new journey. There are some things in life you never thought you’d have to do….like setting up a Go Fund Me account! However, chronic illness and life circumstances sometimes create avalanches, and a helping hand is needed. Chronic illness and financial stress are not a good mix. This is the position my husband and I find ourselves in. I realise there are times in our lives when we simply need to ask for help from a “village” of people, who are each able to assist just a little, so we can raise just enough. Every day since we launched the page, we have received the most generous of donations, encouraging messages of support and our page being shared by others in an effort to help us achieve our fundraising goals. "You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, MSG). Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. You are all amazing and such a blessing. https://gofund.me/b59d3c62 Talk soon Sam xx ❤️ www.mymedmusings.com

“It Takes a Village” is such a familiar phrase for most of us, isn’t it. What does it really mean though? I hazard a guess that its meaning is slightly different for all of us depending on our circumstances and the people in our lives. In this episode, come with me for a walk in my village. You'll even get to meet my husband. I hope we can discover together we all have a village, each different and unique to us and to our needs. We just need to have eyes to see it and a heart to find it. Take care Sam xx www.mymedmusings.com

Sometimes, life with chronic illness can be overwhelming. It’s not always because of your disease either. It’s often all the appointments, including doctors, allied health professionals, equipment trials, dealing with government departments, routine tests and procedures, etc. It can become a full-time job. Your body becomes your business, your place of work, and you can quickly feel as if you are losing all sense of illness/work/life balance. In fact, you wake up one day and realise you no longer have a life, and each days agenda is being determined by anyone and everyone, but definitely not by you. This was my epiphany when I woke up the other day. I had a list of upcoming events, life changing events in many regards, running through my mind. In this podcast I share with you the epiphany moment I had resulting in a life changing letter where I draw a line in the sand and take my life back! www.mymedmusings.com medicalmusings@bigpond.com

I'm so excited that "Medical Musings with Sam" has reached 4000 plays. This is a huge achievement for a small podcast with a unique genre. I'm also in the top 10% of podcasts globally, according to Listen Score. I can not thank my listeners enough. You are all amazing, and I am beyond delighted to know I am not talking to myself, and I do have a loyal podcast community supporting my vision. To celebrate this milestone, I've included the very first episode I recorded on the podcast, which is simply my.."My Story". Thank you all again from the bottom of my heart, Love, Sam xx

This is a slightly different Podcast episode....you could say it's three for the price of one! I'm introducing you to an amazing podcast ,"Inspired To Be," hosted by two beautiful, inspiring, and talented young ladies, Sammy Wynn and Elise Ingegneri. I was honoured to be a Guest on their show, and as promised, here is the link to the interview which was published this week: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7jgnGSXev5tu9ALurJGgN8?si=IunBjDPzR3q4PvaRmXl0_g The second part of this Podcast is a Virtual Book Launch by way of a special Signed Copy Book Sale. All the details are in the Podcast but for basic information here is a link from my blog: https://mymedmusings.com/2023/08/10/dont-miss-out-on-our-exclusive-signed-with-a-special-message-from-sam-book-sale/ Lastly, but not least I answer some Frequently Asked Questions I have received over the years since I started blogging and had my book published. I hope you enjoy this segment. I mentioned a particular blog post as part of this FAQ segment called "A Case of Chronic Illness Overload" and I promised to link it here: https://mymedmusings.com/2020/01/11/a-case-of-chronic-illness-overload/ Thank you for listening everyone. I really hope you enjoy this very different episode. Take care, Sam xx 😘

Chronic Illness is difficult enough without us making it more complicated. Yet, my inbuilt professional persona began to surface as I looked at the phone next to me on the bed. It was inevitable. I would answer this call with a bright and upbeat greeting, no matter the real picture of searing pain and chronic disease." This podcast episode is a chat about why we feel the need to say we are good and sound bright when someone phones us, and how can we be true to ourselves and our situation when we want to sound "normal"! Hops you enjoy and I really hope it helps you feel less alone. Lots of love, Sam xx www.mymedmusings.com

I know there will be tough moments followed by good moments. As I’ve accepted my chronic illness diagnosis and consequential life changes, good moments are more than enough for me. They mean so much and are so precious.Rather than expecting a perfect life filled with halcyon days, I choose to love and cherish the moments of my life where I can engage with some of the activities I enjoy. I choose to live for moments of happiness, creativity, community, love, and moderate pain. I choose to hold on to hope for bright moments to follow tough ones.

Congratulations to the winners of the Birthday Month Book Giveaway Competition! In this very short episode, the winners are announced, and I also let you know how you can buy my book in a limited signed copy book sale (within Australia and postage included) Take care everyone. Sam xx www.mymedmusings.com

When we live with chronic illness, the concept of continuous improvement seems almost ridiculous doesn’t it. But is it? Our lives, while significantly impacted by our diseases, don’t need to be completely dictated by them. We can make changes which will catapult us into a new future. We can see our new circumstances as a time of opportunity, rather than a time of retreat and despair.

I’ve decided one of the hardest things about being medically retired is working out what day of the week it is!I have always loved Sundays. In our home it’s usually a quiet and reflective day. I say, usually, as I’m married to an Anglican clergyman, and Sundays were far from quiet in the past. It was actually the busiest day of our week!! They have always been reflective, though. Thankfully, he is retired now, as my carer, so we can definitely reclaim Sundays as a quiet day. Some days still feel like a Monday or a Thursday if I have medical appointments to attend, and they are extremely difficult days for me physically. Other than those odd, busy days, I can pace myself. It should be like this as it’s why I’m medically retired, to care for myself, manage my disease, and find a new quality of life. However, the biggest battle with embracing every day like it’s Sunday is with me. In this podcast episode, I discuss what it means to embrace your chronic illness in order to find acceptance and create a new, rewarding way of living again. If you are struggling with this concept, I really hope my story and my journey to choosing to "deliberately" accept my circumstances might help you on your journey, too. I also give a bit of a health update at the start. Take care Sam xx

I love life’s little challenges. I love problem solving and turning obstacles into opportunities. I love putting a positive spin on what could otherwise be a negative experience. I’ve always done this, both in my personal and professional life. So, chronic disease really wasn’t going to change my approach to finding a way to overcome an obstacle. It’s just another challenge. Right? Well, not entirely right! It’s probably one of the more difficult challenges life has thrown at me, and it often requires “out of the box” strategies. One thing I have learned over the years is, "Chronic Illness just doesn't run to an agenda." I hope this episode helps you navigate difficult days when your chronic illness creates an avalanche of symptoms and disease flares and your calendar is full of hopeful plans. If you like what you hear today, you can also follow me on my blog, "My Medical Musings", for more tips on how to live the best life possible, living with a rare disease. www.mymedmusings.com Please remember to take care of yourself. Love Sam x

There is nothing like the feeling you get when you arrive home from a long hospital stay. Especially if there were multiple concerns about your overall health when you were admitted or you were having major surgery. Life is short. It’s precious, and it’s fragile while being incredibly resilient and strong. My home is my safe place, and I’m convinced because I love it, and I love my husband, it’s the place that helps me heal in a way I never do in hospital. I am heading in the right direction, and even though I have a long road ahead, I can feel that sense of healing harmony. Join me for a health update and a few funny, or perhaps mortifying, stories from my hospital stay! Thanks for listening Sam xx

47% of Australians live with a chronic disease, and I'm one of them. The Wound Doctors Podcast recently talked to me about how I manage my wounds, how I stay positive, and how health professionals can better care for people with long-term conditions. The full podcast interview can be heard at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/51iEbnyKgkRuDaA6QZ1pEx?si=Uk54HF2OQSSE0j2Df_97Ug In this Podcast, I'm also sharing my latest Health Update, including major surgery in two weeks and the re-siting of my stoma. Life is throwing me new, massive challenges, and I'm finding ways to deal with them holding on to hope and faith....plus finding an uplifting name for my new stoma. It's the beginning of Blossom, and as the name symbolises, I'm hoping my future will flourish and thrive post surgery. In the meantime, I'll be missing in action for a while as I prepare for surgery and then take the time needed to recover. Take care, Sam xx

2023 is here! A new year awaits. Will it be a good year, a difficult year, a happy year, a sad year? One thing is certain, none of us really know.Have you looked closely at the back of a tapestry? Generally, they are full of threads in a bit of a jumble. It’s hard to make out what the image is from this viewpoint. Turn it over and it reveals a perfect picture. It makes sense. The chaos of all those jumbled threads at the back is only half of the story. They are necessary to reveal something beautiful.If you’re sitting at home as the New Year approaches, feeling like you can’t see ahead, don’t lose hope. You are not alone. Chronic illness can feel all-encompassing and does place huge limitations on our lives. It doesn’t have to make us a prisoner, though. We do this to ourselves if we only dwell on what we can’t do, rather than what we can do. Chronic illness is a part of our life, it’s not all of our lives. I hope this first Podcast episode of 2023 helps you focus your thoughts in a way that ensures you are ready to embrace this New Year. I'm so looking forward to journeying through it with you. Happy New Year! #tapestries #newyearpodcast #happynewyear #chronicillness #chronicpain

As Christmas Day fast approaches I imagine most of us, in the chronic illness community, are musing about what we want to realistically achieve over the holiday period. For those of us with chronic disease it can be an incredibly overwhelming time. Just trying to be happy for others, when your body is screaming at you, is enough to make you want to run and hide.Even for those of us who don’t suffer mental illness, the lead up to Christmas can be a melancholy time. It’s important to acknowledge all those feelings. They are real, important and very normal for the chronic illness sufferer. If you are feeling a little melancholy…….you are not alone. I will have a lovely Christmas but it will not necessarily be a season of constant joy. It will have moments of delight, moments of extreme fatigue, moments of excruciating pain and then moments of relaxation and rest. This is the reality for those of us with chronic illness and pain.There was no big family gathering on the first Christmas. There was no turkey dinner, no champagne flowing. There was love and joy, wonder, awe, no doubt a little fear and much uncertainty of what lay ahead for Mary and Joseph and their new born son. Christmas is, or should be, a celebration within our hearts. We are celebrating the gift of a Saviour. The gift of redemption, forgiveness, new life. A True Christmas Can Never Be Cancelled But It Can Be DifferentAs Christmas Day fast approaches I imagine most of us, in the chronic illness community, are musing about what we want to realistically achieve over the holiday period. For those of us with chronic disease it can be an incredibly overwhelming time. Just trying to be happy for others, when your body is screaming at you, is enough to make you want toEven for those of us who don’t suffer mental illness, the lead up to Christmas can be a melancholy time. It’s important to acknowledge all those feelings. They are real, important and very normal for the chronic illness sufferer. If you are feeling a little melancholy…….you are not alone. I will have a lovely Christmas but it will not necessarily be a season of constant joy. It will have moments of delight, moments of extreme fatigue, moments of excruciating pain and then moments of relaxation and rest. This is the reality for those of us with chronic illness and pain. run and hide. There was no big family gathering on the first Christmas. There was no turkey dinner, no champagne flowing. There was love and joy, wonder, awe, no doubt a little fear and much uncertainty of what lay ahead for Mary and Joseph and their new born son. Christmas is, or should be, a celebration within our hearts. We are celebrating the gift of a Saviour. The gift of redemption, forgiveness, new life. A True Christmas Can Never Be Cancelled But It Can Be Different

As Christmas Day fast approaches I imagine most of us, in the chronic illness community, are musing about what we want to realistically achieve over the holiday period. For those of us with chronic disease it can be an incredibly overwhelming time. Just trying to be happy for others, when your body is screaming at you, is enough to make you want toEven for those of us who don’t suffer mental illness, the lead up to Christmas can be a melancholy time. It’s important to acknowledge all those feelings. They are real, important and very normal for the chronic illness sufferer. If you are feeling a little melancholy…….you are not alone. I will have a lovely Christmas but it will not necessarily be a season of constant joy. It will have moments of delight, moments of extreme fatigue, moments of excruciating pain and then moments of relaxation and rest. This is the reality for those of us with chronic illness and pain. run and hide. There was no big family gathering on the first Christmas. There was no turkey dinner, no champagne flowing. There was love and joy, wonder, awe, no doubt a little fear and much uncertainty of what lay ahead for Mary and Joseph and their new born son. Christmas is, or should be, a celebration within our hearts. We are celebrating the gift of a Saviour. The gift of redemption, forgiveness, new life. A True Christmas Can Never Be Cancelled But It Can Be Different

I am so excited to share part two of my interview with Melissa on her podcast, "I Am Not My Pain Podcast". In part two of my chat with Melissa, I talk about the practical steps I took to find a new purpose in my life. I talk about the process I followed to enable me to begin to accept my new life. I share deeply personal things about my story, my faith and how I found a way to find hope, in a completely hopeless situation. In case you missed part one, which includes my introduction to Melissa and how we met, here is the link to my blog post containing everything you need to know, including the Podcast link to the first part of our discussion together: https://mymedmusings.com/2022/09/21/my-interview-as-a-guest-on-i-am-not-my-pain-podcast-with-host-melissa-adams/ I've also included below, the direct link separately for you to my Podcast episode of Part One: https://anchor.fm/my-medical-musings/episodes/My-Interview-as-a-Guest-on-I-Am-Not-My-Pain-Podcast----With-Host-Melissa-Adams-PART-ONE-e1o6gj4 Every week Melissa shares interviews with different chronic pain warriors. They are from all walks of life and each story is precious and inspirational. I encourage you all to follow "I Am Not My Pain Podcast". You won't be disappointed. Here is the direct link to Melissa's Podcast:     I Am Not My Pain Podcast on Spotify. Thank you so much for listening to my interview. I truly hope there are little nuggets of help for you to takeaway, and apply to your own lives, or at least give you ideas. Take care everyone and remember, "Chronic Illness is a part of our life, not all of our life".

I’m so excited to share with you my interview as a Guest on “I Am Not My Pain Podcast. This is part one, of a two part interview. I was so honoured to be invited by Melissa to talk about my health story, my blog, my book, my forum and even more importantly, how I have found “Acceptance” and “Purpose”, with my chronic illness. If you would like to know more about Melissa Adams, here’s a great article on her own chronic disease story and how she copes. It really is an inspirational read: https://heroescircle.org/2022/05/meet-melissa-a-warrior-for-pain/ Every week Melissa shares interviews with different chronic pain warriors. They are from all walks of life and each story is precious and inspirational. I hope you enjoy Part One of my interview, and I hope you’ll find Melissa’s Podcast is one that will be permanently on your Podcast listening app. Here is the link to Melissa's Podcast, "I Am Not My Pain Podcast" : https://anchor.fm/notmypain

My Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

I'm taking time to take stock of my life and this episode is all about the process I'm following. When you own a shop you need to do regular stock takes. What stock do you have, what’s profitable, what’s not selling, what new products are available that would add value to your business? It’s a similar process when reviewing our lives. The questions will be slightly different but it’s the same concept. If I have finished a particular chapter of my life, I like to ask myself a few simple stock taking questions to see what, if anything, I should do next. My Life Stock Taking Questions 1. What’s working in my life? 2. What am I enjoying? 3. What is mostly draining my energy? 4. Are there new opportunities I would like to persue? 5. Should I cease or change any of my existing commitments/initiatives? These questions need to be given time to answer. If you truly want to re-evaluate your current workload and commitments and make significant and necessary changes, you shouldn’t rush the process. Listen to the end of this Podcast episode for a very special message from me to my husband for his 80th 🎂

How many times have you wanted to invite family or friends over for a coffee but the thought of catering has just been too much? You may be surprised at how little effort it takes! For the purposes of this Podcast episode, I want to focus on how to cater in a way everything looks like it’s fallen out of a “Home Beautiful” magazine and you’ve been able to do it. Why bother you may ask? Simply because many of us in the chronic illness community love to create and enjoy special catered morning, or afternoon teas, brunches, or lunches and we don’t want our disease to take this pleasure away prematurely. Remember "Chronic illness is a part of our life and not all of our life"

A Blog, A Book, A Podcast and Support Forum. My Medical Musings has something for everyone. Please subscribe, follow and join to be part of a community of friends walking a similar path as you. We truly care and want you to know you are not alone. Chronic Illness is a part of your life, not all of your life and My Medical Musings can help you find new purpose, meaning and passion for life, despite your disease. So grab a cuppa and find a comfy chair to sit down with your new friends who will truly give you a warm welcome.

SEIZE THE DAY "Don't feel like you are being selfish. If you are like me, you are likely rarely able to do something just for you. You likely save your energy moments everyday to do things for others." #seizetheday #birthdaycelebration #countrydrive #chronicillness #chronicpain #hope #moments #makingmemories

You've no doubt heard of the movie "Driving Miss Daisy", well here is my own life changing story "Driving "Miss Sam" and finding a new way of having legs, when my own have failed me. I hope you enjoy xx ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡I'm also introducing an exciting Podcaster to you. Melissa Adams interviewed me this week on her Podcast, "I am not my Pain". Melissa, who has her own chronic pain story and ongoing journey managing extreme pain and disease symptoms, shares the same mindset as me that "chronic illness is a part of our life, not all of our life". She is a naturally inspiring lady and I encourage you all to check out her Podcast on Spotify or Apple. Melissa publishes interviews each week with other chronic pain warriors and each interview is so eye opening, raw but full of hope and encouragement. Melissa will be airing her interview with me sometime in September. We talked together so much it will be a 2 part interview. I'll keep you posted on the broadcast date. In the meantime here's the link to Melissa's Podcast for you to enjoy weekly xx https://open.spotify.com/show/5NxK8xPb1tQhwkLSLIoYHt?si=MWfK-62yT82Aaam2D_j7wA&utm_source=copy-link

In this episode I'm announcing my reason for postponing my Virtual Book Tour for a while. I'm leaving you with 2 readings from the book, A Poem from Betsy Riley and a Love Letter to Peter. I hope you enjoy xx

In Week 2 of our Virtual Book Tour, I'm reading Chapter 18 (When All Else Fails Just Cancel The Day), from my book, "My Medical Musings". I am also announcing ,"new" competition rules to give you the opportunity to win a signed paperback copy of my book. The competition will run until the end of July.

Join me on my Virtual Book Tour as I share with you readings from my book, "My Medical Musings, A Story of Love, Laughter, Faith and Hope; Living with a Rare Disease", plus you can have the opportunity to enter a competition to win a signed copy of my book. Today I'll be reading you the beautiful "Afterword" from CEO, Arthritis Queensland, Emma Thompson. Plus I'll be sharing with you the online volunteer work I love to do for Arthritis Queensland.

I’m really excited to announce I’ve decided to do a “Virtual Book Tour” of sorts, through my Podcast, Medical Musings with SamIf you want to be a part of my Virtual Book Tour and not miss an episode, the best way to ensure you are with me “on the virtual bus”, (so to speak) is to follow both my blog and Podcast. You can also like and follow my  Facebook Page, My Medical Musings, as I’ll be sharing each Virtual Tour episode there.

As the “My Medical Musings” brand expands, keeping it all authentic and keeping my own integrity is paramount to me. Join me in this episode as I review my motives, check my integrity is in tact and announce my plans for a Virtual Book Tour on my Podcast!!

I recorded this earlier on a Spotify only podcast as I wanted to include a downloaded song. I didn't want my followers who listen on other apps to miss out, so I've re published with the downside being you have to put up with my signing 🎤😅

Only one week until my book is launched!! I can't believe it. This Podcast shares some little snippets of what you can expect from the book... I am sharing some of the Preface and Introduction. So hope you enjoy and celebrate with me this week in the lead up to my official book launch on the 20th May!

As my book "My Medical Musings" is set to officially launch on May 20th, I share with you my excitement at achieving a lifelong dream of becomingan Author....and more importantly I encourage my listeners to not give up on your own hopes and dreams. I also share some of my recent interview with Authority Magazine on what it means to be resilient and my thoughts on what are the characteristics of resilience. These are exciting days at Medical Musings headquarters and this Podcast has given me the opportunity to thank my listeners, readers, my admin team and my publisher. I truly love you all 🥰

Should I sound “sick” on the phone? Should I dress as if I had just got out of bed or don’t care about my appearance? I have severe pain and fatigue and sometimes I do lose my voice as a result, but generally I can talk. I often look drained throughout the day but if I’m seeing someone a lot of planning has happened prior to seeing them to ensure my pain meds are at their maximum effectiveness. Why would I want to sound terrible or look dishevelled if I’m able to do?When we have chronic illness, our minds are quickly programmed to think about all the things we can no longer do. Don’t get me wrong, there is lots we can’t do when living with a chronic disease. My list sometimes seems endless and can cause me to feel as if my disease is in total control. Is it though? Or am I at risk of allowing it to take over more than it should? I ask myself this question constantly. I don’t want to be a prisoner to my disease. I want to scale whatever heights I can safely push, and ultimately I’m the only one who can decide my limits.