Positive Mental Health Chat with Purple Jen

Ive kinda hungaround in the background a bit and thought i should say a bit more about me.

I live with illness related depression. So back in 2006 my life got turned upside by having to have major surgery to remove half my bowel and the diagnosis of crohns disease. The surgery went well and put me in remission. At this time I was working part time in retail, studying part time for a ba honours degree, bringing up my child who was about 6, pretty much alone as I was also dealing with her dad who was alcohol dependant. It was tough but you just keep going. We didn't split up for 10 years, my daughter was about 9 when he finally ledt. He wouldnt leave the house inwas paying for and he was living in rent free! (He was a busy driver working long hours and I saw none of his money! And an alcoholic driving!)

Fast forward to 2014 when I was now working as an accounts assistant. Inhad left the abusive partner now, dating someone else. I began having a flare in my joints, and my leg got so swollen I was struggling to walk. My car broke down and i couldn't afford to fix it. My journey to work was now two hours one way by public transport (only 20 mins in the car) . I was made redundant from this job, and havent worked another since. The leg got worse and steroids was the only drug that gave me relief from pain and swelling. A new nightmare. I gained 5 stone in weight over a year, and came off them cold turkey in the end. My boyfriend left me. During a checkup at hospital they did my bloods and found my kidney function was too low. Further investigation discovered stones in my kidney and due to being on immunosuppressant drugs for my crohns it was an infection risk. So in 2016 i had my left kidney out. Since then its been me trying to live life with constant symptoms. Unable to work. My crohns is still in remission, but I still get constant symptoms daily. Fatigue is a major problem at the moment. My granddaughter came along 4 years ago and she is a delight but I cant see her as much as id like, due to fatigue.

The wynne evans show has been a blessing. I dont feel so alone anymore.

I fill my days with crochet whilst listening. On the odd days (usually when im paid!) I do venture out with my camera and take wildlife and landscapes pics. Sometimes il camp in my car to get a break from these four walls too.

Sorry its so long... thanks for reading.