Our latest interview with Voice No. 80 in the Scars Of Gold campaign; Emma W. Emma shares her experienced of how finding a slight 'dent' in the skin of her breast became a life changing diagnosis of breast cancer requiring a double mastectomy. Emma is a wonderful example of how the need for humour and an optimistic but honest approach to life is needed. Emma shares with us a really important insight into how there is a profound difference between the transition from active treatment to long term treatment - a transition which society often doesn't fully understand or recognise. Emma shares how she approached remaining flat after a double mastectomy, and how she dealt with processing the adjustment to life after cancer; "You're supposed to carry on like normal - but I don't feel normal". A really lovely insight and reflection on what it is to be mortal and have life thrown upside down and how to approach it. Thank you to Emma for being another wonderful Voice and bringing so much positive energy and vibrance to the campaign.

cars 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #breastcancer

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Our latest Voice to be interviewed for the Scars Of Gold campaign is the beautiful and always-smiling Jemma sharing her experience of triple negative breast cancer. Jemma is a nurse and shares how suddenly experiencing what it was to be a patient posed new perspectives. Jemma shares the honest challenges of having to make decisions quickly about fertility at a time when so much turbulence and confusion became overwhelming, but how it was with the wonderful strength and support from her family and friends that helped her get through it. Jemma's wonderful relationship with her father visiting her appointments with her, and finding humour and fun by embracing all opportunities that came her way through her journey. Jemma bought a puppy called Hope which helped give her a focus and purpose to distract her through that time of recovery and shares how important it was to her to seek support from other charities and how (in her words); the NHS treated her physically but it was the support of charities that repaired her as a person.

Thank you to Jemma for being another wonderful Voice in our campaign and for being a volunteer and ambassador with the health support projects for the charity.

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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #breastcancer #triplenegativebreastcancer #triplenegative #tnbc

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Our latest interview with Dr Liz is the next Voice - the lovely and gentle human that is Astrid. Astrid shares how she has spent her entire adult life with major life changing health issues, which actually originally started from a childhood viral illness. Astrid had a childhood viral illness called Henoch Shonlein Purport which can be a simple uncomplicated illness, but in rare cases can cause kidney damage. For Astrid the HSP did cause kidney damage which went unnoticed. At 19 Astrid was diagnosed with high blood pressure but the underlying cause wasn't picked up on for several years by which point she had kidney failure, was started on renal dialysis and listed for an organ transplant. Astrid shares openly a very rare insight into the physical and emotional journey of being an organ donor recipient and how her donor lost her life but saved more than five others, and the result for Astrid meant she was then also able to go on and have children of her own. Not long after that investigation for a suspected fibroid actually identified a rare fallopian tube cancer - Leiomyosarcoma. A slow growing cancer which eventually spread to her spine and is now incurable.

Astrid's pragmatic and philosophical approach to her health conditions shares a way of approaching life changing health conditions that is really profound and inspiring; how she refuses to be defined by her conditions and is fiercely determined to embrace life, continue to seek joy in things that bring her joy and focusing on the love for her family and sons. Astrid's mindset of being 'lucky in her unluckiness' is an example of how keeping focused on the positives and the present moment can have a profound impact on how one can come to terms with such major conditions. Thank you to Astrid for sharing her Scars Of Gold for this 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #cancer #leiomyosarcoma #sarcoma #secondarycancer #radiotherapy #kidneyfailure #hsp #hypertension #renalfailure #organtransplant #organdonor #renaltransplant #kidneytransplant #dialysis #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Our latest interview in the Scars of Gold campaign is with Hayley who shares insight into what it is to have multiple chronic health conditions and how it takes mental strength to not let the relentlessness take it's toll. Hayley has experienced cancer, endometriosis, ME, anaphylaxis and surgical complications. After experiencing an extremely rare complication during surgery whereby Hayley 'woke up' during surgery but couldn't move, Hayley developed PTSD and had to find a way to cope with the need for further surgeries given her ovarian cancer diagnosis. Hayley has such a positive and gentle life-affirming approach to life that has helped her stay focused despite the multiple health issues. Another incredible interview and we are proud to include Hayley as both Voice and artist as part of 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #ovariancancer #endometriosis #cancer #endo #me #chronicfatiguesyndrome #disability #diversity #inclusivity #adaptablefashion #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Nikki is our latest Voice to share with us her reflections on living over 3 years with secondary breast cancer. After her close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, Nikki had been breast aware but only thought the symptoms to be mindful of were lumps until seeing one of the Lorraine 'change and check' stickers at a hair salon. This alerted her to the fact that pain could be a symptom and prompted her to have her symptoms checked despite not having a lump. This was 5 years ago and Nikki was initially diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (primary), after finishing treatment and receiving the 'all clear' Nikki then began to have symptoms that were initially suspicious of a stroke. After investigations, this then turned out to be brain metastases and was told her cancer was no longer curable. Nikki reflects how being given a secondary diagnosed changed her perspective on so much, whilst also sharing some humour with how the brain tumour gave her a slightly more impulsive trait to her personality leading to some home renovations which her and her husband later laughed about. Nikki's thoughts on how ;'knowing you're facing your mortality actually makes you live more' are so poignant and Nikki is a prime example of how she has strived to embrace life to it's fullest 'you can't change what's happening to you, but you can change how you react'. Nikki has gone on to do so much work with the breast cancer community, being a voice to help change the support available for women with secondary and triple negative cancer. Thank you so much to Nikki for being another beautiful Voice sharing with us her Scars of Gold.

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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448)

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #drliz #drlizmurray #art #documentary #realvoices #breastcancer #cancer #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Another interview from a fiercely determined health advocate Roxy - also known as Multiple Sclerosis Fashionista. Roxy is the latest Voice in the 100 women sharing their story for the Scars of Gold campaign and talks about how her MS symptoms first began when she was 18 years old. Originally mis-diagnosed as Lupus and multiple other autoimmune conditions, Roxy spent 8 years feeling like something wasn't quite adding up. When Roxy finally had the confirmed diagnosis of MS she shares what many other people relate to - relief - relief at finally having answers and something that made sense for her symptoms. Roxy was unable to finish University because of her condition but shares how she has used her skillsets and has worked for many years to become 'the voice for the voiceless' as championing representation has become her mission with so much of the work she does. Roxy shares her involvement with MS Society and the work she does with organisations to drive better inclusivity and representation - emphasising the need for having voices of lived experience involved with health care decisions but also the importance of diversity and inclusivity with this, leaving us with the quote 'be the change you want to see'.

Thank you to Roxy for sharing her scars of gold with us.  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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448).

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #art #documentary #realvoices #multiplesclerosis #ms #msfashionista #diversity #inclusivity #adaptablefashion #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Our latest voice - and number 75 out of 100 - is the beautiful and bright smiling soul that is Pretti. Pretti shares with us her experience of invasive ductal breast cancer. We interviewed Pretti just as she was finishing active treatment - a very poignant moment where many people think/presume because active treatment has finished that the individual is 'finished' with cancer and ready to 'move on' back to life. Pretti provides a beautifully honest and optimistic example of how this moment in the cancer pathway is actually, for some, as important as the active treatment. The point in time where the realisation of the enormity of the impact begins to set in, and the reflections happen and the mind begins to process the life changing diagnosis. Pretti shares all this with us and how finding a way to share this with her children, taking her health into her own hands with exercise has been so crucial for her.

Thank you to Pretti for being another wonderful Voice bringing joy into 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448)

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #drliz #drlizmurray #art #documentary #realvoices #breastcancer #cancer #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Introducing the latest wonderful Voice to share with us her experience of a chronic illness - Fiona G. Fiona was born with a rare (1 in 1 million) genetic disorder which causes an excess of tumours in the bones and tendons and has meant Fiona has had leg lengthening surgeries and debunking surgeries in her hands since the age of 4. Diagnosed at just 9 months old Fiona has only ever known a life with a chronic health condition and shares how the lack of mental health support as an adolescent impacted her as an adult. A really important and powerful interview discussing what disenfranchised grief is, how important it is to recognise the need for mental health support through a life changing diagnosis. Fiona's condition then changed and was diagnosed with Sarcoma and once again was reminded of her mortality and shares how she does live with a 'heightened realisation of what it is to be mortal' but that having her condition has given her values and taught her where to find joy.

Thank you to Fiona for being another wonderful and honest 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448)

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #drliz #drlizmurray #art #documentary #realvoices #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Another honest and heart warming interview with another lovely human - Daniela. Daniela shares how whilst waiting for a risk reducing mastectomy (having tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation) she found a lump not long after having her third child. Daniela was diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts and needed a double mastectomy and reconstruction, chemotherapy and removal of her ovaries. She talks openly how she felt so many elements of what felt made her feminine were robbed from her with her breasts, hair, ovaries and the precious first year with her son. Daniela talks honestly about the transition through being angry and resentful with her diagnosis and how she is now moving forward and able to appreciate life again and is grateful for the new perspective on life it has provided. Whilst being honest of how she will always live with the fear of the unknown and fear of scans, she appreciates the new perspective and relationships it brought. The interview is another powerful reminder of the decisions and dilemmas faced with genetic testing and risk reducing mastectomy procedures, which in Daniela's words their family live by 'knowledge is power'.

Thank you to Daniela for being one of our Voices and being so honest to help raise awareness of these issues. 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448)

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #drliz #drlizmurray #art #documentary #realvoices #breastcancer #cancer #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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Our latest Voice from the Scars of Gold campaign is Charlotte D sharing her experience of living her entire life with a life limiting heart condition. Charlotte is incredibly raw and honest about what it is like to have lived her entire life with a chronic health condition along with having experienced a cardiac arrest; having needed resuscitation and being in the small percentage of people to survive an out of hospital cardiac arrest. Charlotte has Dextrocardia - a rare congenital heart defect in which her heart anatomy is reversed/mirrored. As a result Charlotte has had countless major cardiothoracic surgeries (beginning as a baby) and is now in heart failure. Charlotte talks openly with Dr Liz about the trauma and processing of having had a VF cardiac arrest and a very real awareness of her mortality every day but how and where she finds the strength to appreciate life. Charlotte also opens up about her response when people use the phrase 'you could get hit by a car tomorrow' having lost her first husband to exactly this and how mortality is precious whether through trauma or ill-health and ultimately the reflection has the same outcome: to live for the now.

Thank you to Charlotte for sharing her experience with us and being another wonderful Voice sharing her experience to help act as a beacon of hope for someone else. 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 the charity @mortalandstrong (No. 1209448)

#podcast #podcastprevious #interview #mortalandstrong #scarsofgold #kintsugi #hope #pov #dr #drliz #drlizmurray #art #documentary #realvoices #dextrocardia #congenitalheartdisease #icd #mortal #womenshealth #healthmatters #healthadvocate #healthinequalities

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