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

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

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

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