MORTAL AND STRONG - The Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of the Mortal and Strong podcast, and our FINAL episode of Season 1! Today, we are wrapping the season up with the wonderful, and bubbly Gemma! Gemma shares her story of multiple myeloma; from the 5 months of being dismissed for simply having a 'bad back', to coming to terms with such a diagnosis, all the way to where she's at now. Gemma also opens up about her different treatments, including her experience of a Stem Cell Transplant - a serious medical procedure used to replace damaged or destroyed blood cells with healthy ones. Gemma describes that time of her life as like 'walking on a tightrope', trying to hold things together as best she can before she wobbles off. She shares many powerful insights into the impact that cancer, and continuous invasive treatments have on an individual. Despite all that she has been through, Gemma is the epitome of 'Mortal and Strong' and continues to find joy in the little things. A huge thank you to Gemma for joining us and becoming another fantastic Voice in our Scars of Gold Campaign.Thank you all so much for listening and joining us this Season, lots more to come from Mortal and Strong so stay tuned! Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #stemcelltransplant #sct #multiplemyeloma #cancer #bloodcancer

Welcome back to the Mortal and Strong podcast!This week, for our penultimate episode of the season, we welcome the wonderful soul that is Melissa. Melissa shares her story of living with Type 1 Diabetes, a condition she has had since childhood. Melissa talks us through what it's like to live with such a serious condition, the many different types medical technologies she has used throughout the years to control her Diabetes, and the incredible technological advancements that are helping her to get her life back. Melissa speaks with such grace and optimism, while also talking frankly about the complexities of living with Type 1 Diabetes. Despite having lived with this condition for most of her life, Melissa still finds joy every day and finds ways to appreciate the small things!A huge thank you to Melissa for being another fantastic Voice for our Scars of Gold campaign. Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #diabtetes #autoimmune #autoimmunecondition #type1 #type1diabetes

In this episode of the Mortal and Strong podcast, we welcome the inspiring Bridie, founder of Women’s Health Impact Network (WHIN) who shares her story of endometriosis. Bridie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis at the age of 17, 7 years after her first period and first unusual symptoms. Bridie discusses her initial symptoms; severely heavy bleeding, irregular/long periods, blood clots, to name a few. She shares how she was dismissed by her GP’s for years, even being told by her doctor before a diagnostic laparoscopy that they “weren’t going to find anything”. For this reason, Bridie also voices the importance of self-advocacy and having someone with you to help fight your corner. Bridie also talks about her fertility issues as a result of the endo, and her early journey with IVF - sharing thought provoking insights into the complex emotions that go in to such an endeavour. Dr Liz and Bridie also discuss WHIN, and the important work they do to make real change within women’s health. A huge thank you to Bridie for joining us, and being another brilliant voice in the Scars of Gold campaign! Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #endo #endometriosis #fertilityissues #menstrualhealth #ivf 

Welcome back to the Mortal and Strong podcast! In this episode, Dr Liz is joined by the wonderful soul that is Holly. Holly shares her story of chronic health issues, beginning all the way in childhood when her chronic pain first set in. Holly talks frankly about her Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), hyper-mobility, Atrial Fibrillation (AF), and cluster headaches. She candidly shares what it's truly like living with these conditions, while also managing to remain hopeful, positive and finding continuous joy in the every day!Holly also tells of her heart wrenching experience of Meningitis; from the very first symptoms, the long wait to be diagnosed, all the way up to now... 5 years on. She shares her raw insight into experiencing this major brain infection, and importantly shares how an illness like Meningitis doesn't end when you leave the hospital. Holly discusses life after meningitis, recovery, and tells Dr Liz of how she is a completely different person than she was before. Holly is a perfect example of what it means to be Mortal and Strong, and we are so thankful to her for being another wonderful Voice for our Scars of Gold campaign!Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #meningitis #eds #ehlersdanlossyndrome #cardiacarrhythmia #artialfibrillation #hypermobility #chronichealth #chronicpain

Welcome back to another episode of Mortal and Strong The Podcast. Today, we are joined by the fantastic Charlie. Charlie discusses her story of cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac syncope. Charlie's symptoms started during childhood, regularly passing out while playing games and doing exercise at school. She was repeatedly dismissed by doctors, with this cycle continuing throughout Charlies teen years and well into adulthood. Eventually after years of experiencing debilitating fatigue, exercise intolerance, extensive testing for other conditions, Charlie was finally diagnosed and treatment could at last begin. Charlies story is sadly not uncommon, but a stark reminder of how medical gaslighting can be devastating to the patients experiencing it. Charlie recalls how she was told so many times that nothing was wrong and it was all in her head, that she began to question whether they were right. She was sent multiple times for psychiatric assessment, despite having a physical condition (that was undiagnosed).Charlie talks openly, and honestly about her experiences, while offering insightful advice to encourage others to keep advocating for themselves. Despite all that Charlie has been through she remains hopeful, and dedicated to advocating for others in the cardiac sphere. Charlie is one of our fantastic artists for the Scars of Gold Campaign, as well as curator for Sudden Cardiac Art (in conjunction with our friends at HeartCharged) - a brilliant art show focusing on cardiac health. A huge thank you to Charlie for coming and sharing her story with us, and being another excellent voice for the Scars of Gold campaign!Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #cardiac #cardiachealth #tachycardia #cardiacarrhythmia

In today's episode of the Mortal and Strong podcast, we are joined by the lovely Kim, in which she shares her story of triple negative breast cancer. Kim's story is honest, open and likely relatable to many going through a similar journey. Kim discusses facing this diagnosis, her treatments, surgeries, emotional outlook, worries, and what it was like raising a young child throughout this difficult time of her life. Kim also talks about how hard she is finding post treatment life, and having everyone else move on, while she is still stuck with the fear of 'what if'. She discusses how frustrating she finds the dreaded 'you look well' comments, and shares insightful opinions on why this doesn't always come across as well meaning as intended!Kim's episode is another important insight into what it is like to face your mortality at a young age, and despite the hard times, Kim still finds so much to be grateful for and still manages to find joy every day. A huge thank you to Kim for being another brilliant voice in the Scars of Gold campaign!Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #cancer #breastcancer #healthpodcast 

Welcome back to another episode of the Mortal and Strong podcast!Today, Dr Liz is joined by the powerhouse that is Tanya. Tanya talks us through her health journey which started at just 8 years old when she began experiencing severe migraines, these migraines continued for many years until in her early 20's, Tanya suffered a stroke. She was later diagnosed with Factor V Leiden, a blood clotting disorder, that had led to these migraines and eventual stroke. Tanya also shares her intense journey of living with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis, discussing how she overlooked heavy bleeding, and pain, as she was told these were simply 'normal' symptoms of menstruating. It wasn't until she was older, that these diagnosis' came, and Tanya became a fierce advocate for people with Endo and Adeno. Tanya discusses the many things she feels she has missed out on due to these conditions; that she feels she could be a better mum, how she lost her job, and talks of the general struggles and exhaustion you face when you are chronically ill. Today, Tanya holds workshops in schools, colleges, and workplaces to further educate people on all things menstrual health. Tanya speaks so openly about these conditions, and is dedicated on raising awareness and education so women don't have to suffer alone. We are so grateful to Tanya for becoming another one of our fantastic Voices for the Scars of Gold campaign.Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #adenomyosis #endometriosis #endo #adeno #menstrualhealth #gynaehealth

On today's episode of Mortal and Strong, Dr Liz is joined by the fabulous Natalie. Natalie talks us through her journey of Stage 3 Breast Cancer; from originally finding thickening of the skin on her breast, to receiving chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Natalie shares her experience of facing her mortality, and the impact it has had not only on her, but on those around her too. She discusses treatment, her decision to stay 'flat' after her double mastectomy, and her new outlook on life and determination to live life well. Natalie also discusses the incredible Willow Foundation, a charity that helps seriously ill young adults make memories by gifting days/trips/experiences/ect. Natalie talks about her families trip, and speaks of the importance of having things to look forward to as a respite for the whole family from the world of chronic heath. Another insightful episode on the ups and downs of facing your mortality, whilst still being able to find joy in the every day. A huge thank you to Natalie for shScars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #cancer #breastcancer #healthpodcast

In this episode of Mortal and Strong, we are joined by the fabulous Mel. Mel talks us through her story of being diagnosed with De novo Cancer (this is cancer that has already spread to other parts of the body at diagnosis). Mel's story begins with a back ache that was dismissed, even when she lost the ability to walk. After further investigation, tumours were found in Mel's spine and she was shortly diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer which likely started in her breast. Mel talks us through her cancer journey; her fierce determination to dance again, her touching appreciation for her health care team, and the mental implications of regaining strength (both physical and mental). Mel's story is raw and heart felt, and her ability to still find joy throughout all of this is truly inspiring. Thank you to Mel for sharing your story with us and being another incredible voice for the Scars of Gold campaign!Scars of Gold is a health awareness campaign sharing the voices of 100 women facing their mortality at a young age with life changing or incurable health conditions. Produced by charity @mortalandstrong (No.1209448).#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #cancer #breastcancer #healthpodcast #spinalcancer #denovocancer