Since we had our birth daughter back in 2014, at the time we didn’t know that we would put me at risk by having another child. Having a chronic illness and dependent on medication to help it all, going through another pregnancy would put me at a very high risk.

So back in 2017 we took the decision to adopt a child as we always knew that we wanted to expand our family to have 2 children but the hurdles we faced in previous years made us realise that there are children out there who want a loving home were they know they are safe and that there is someone there who not only loves them for who they are but wants them to have a family as part of their identity.

Along this journey we have faced some hurdles which have caused high emotions and made us stronger not only as parents but as a couple. We have been turned down by one agency but battled through, went with another agency who saw us for how we are as individuals, a couple and as a family unit. They realised that everything we do is for not only ourselves but for a potential child to join our family.

Fast forward to Christmas when we saw a potential match with a child that had all of us wanting to inquire about more information and go forward with this. Here we are now awaiting to hear the more information and to get that all important decision that it would be an ideal match where we are able to proceed further with.

Will update on the journey more in due course……

Since the pandemic things have been uncertain with everyone – lockdown after lockdown causing issues to mental health and well being.

Has to be said these last 2 years have shown me something – family life is precious and memory making is crucial.

Back in July working the hours I did with my job made me realise that I was not seeing my family much and missing out on the quality time altogether. Things had also become quite stressful with numerous work loads and being heavily relied on. So as it goes something had to give and unfortunately it was the job.

I took the almighty decision to not only go for a new job which was more beneficial for me and my family but also a demotion for me. People that already know my history and what I have battled with living with a chronic illness would know that nearly 7 years ago I had to take a demotion from a job I loved as my health had to come first.

Things are always sent to challenge us and sometimes those challenges are what we need to make us realise as individuals what we need to do for your self to be happy with everything.

With the new job I have been able to work from home and be in the office until the Welsh Government made it a legal requirement just before Christmas that if you could work from home you had to be otherwise would face a penalty.

7 weeks working from home before the legal requirement changed to being able to be back in the office working. The thought of being able to see your work colleagues in person, having a conversation which did involve a headset or a screen was a thought most welcomed.

It is safe to say that with everything in life, you need challenges to be thrown at you to make you realise that there is more to life and that these challenges do make us question as individuals what we need to do to overcome them and fee better in yourself as an individual.

Well had my letter last week inviting me for my booster jab but upon turning up for the appointment was advised by the nurse that as having an autoimmune disease and on medication that suppresses my immune system. It turned out that I was to have a 3rd vaccine but this time it was Pfizer and not Astra Zeneca.

Will be interesting to see how feel after this vaccine as after 1st Astra vaccine I ended up spending a day in bed as felt really rough with it. Then it is back there again in 6 months for a booster, so that will be 4 Covid Vaccines in a 12 month period.

Well living with this chronic illness is like with Pandora Box, you get told one thing about your illness then something else crops up because of how your immune system copes with everything.

After finally being stable with one medication finally since lockdown in 2020, have now been suffering with pain in the big toe on my right foot. Due to how things are, it has taken time to get an appointment and discuss with my gp . It has now ended with being on Naproxen and a stomach lining tablet to help with the inflammation.

Back in December 2020 I took a sever turn with a reaction to Otezla. This absolutely shook up my partner and family as they have never seen me at a point where I am paralysed.

So we took a big decision to purchase a hot tub to help ease joints when I am not feeling good. We had discussion after discussion, researched all the different types of hot tubs. Omg I got to the point where I had enough looking at all of them all but after 4 weeks we decided one and ordered.

Fast forward 16 weeks until it arrived in the UK and in our garden. Yes I’ve done a quick blog before on the hot tub we had installed but my amazing partner has built a building for it to live in.

I think from my image it says it all – peace and tranquility.

This was taken during our recent holiday in Ceredigion. We spent the week in our caravan where we have set it up as a home from home. Having the caravan set up like this, helps when not feeling great.

Spending the day in the warm sunshine does have advantages – heat helps the joints move!!

We literally spent the day sat on the beach with the sun`s heat bearing down on us. Heaven 🙂

Well back in December 2020 after I took a bad turn with being on Otezla we took the decision to invest in a hot tub!!

Have to say since Decmeber, it has been a waiting game and I think one I am pleased to of waited for. We cannot thank our local company enough for everything.

We did go all out with it: built in led lights, 86 jets 3 seats and 2 loungers, Bluetooth speaker but being in there before work this morning was bliss.

The hot tub we bought was from castlehottubs.co.uk/product/barcelona-hot-tub

Well safe to say I am now fully vaccinated with Astrazenica Covid 19 vaccine.

Being in a high risk category has unfortunately had its ups and downs. Having to sheild from others, going weeks and months not properly seeing family members or friends.

Yes I know the vaccine doesn’t stop me getting Covid but it helps my already compromised immune system a chance to fight against it.

Well think it’s safe to say a flare is starting! Whenever the skin starts to break out, especially on the fingers it seems to be the start of a flare.

To be fair it has been months since my skin has started to shred/split like this. Pain in the joints has started to kick in which is a nightmare especially with my day to day work.

As it has been 2 months now since started adalimumab, as my chronic illness affects my immune system, it could simply be the body going into overdrive and medication is starting to work.