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I secretly would love a camper van, but I know my husband would hate it! I'm super privileged to have a second home in Spain, but as you mention, travelling to see new things is more exciting, more stimulating, and I'm hoping to be able to do more of this as soon as my IBD calms down. I'm absolutely shattered at the moment, but I actually have a call with a Spanish gastroenterologist in half an hour - I was supposed to be there but had to cancel my trip as I'm too tired - and I'm hoping he will have some different suggestions. Otherwise I have Entyvio infusions lined up as of the 24th of October... We will see. Thank you for this lovely story, it's true that we need to keep on living despite this mess. Lots of love Cesca xx

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When we first got the campervan the husband and I definitely had a few mini disagreements whilst we got adjusted to the campervan life. I think we're both quite stubborn in how things should be done. It felt like a good test of our patience haha.

I hope your call with the Dr goes well and they can give you some help and support. All the best with the infusions. I shall be thinking of you 💞 x

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Thank you! I'll let you know. Are you not on Biologics yet?

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The biologic injections are literally sitting in my fridge waiting to go which is frustrating, but I have to wait to speak with the drs before they give me the go ahead. Hopefully it shouldn't be much longer now. Everything takes so long on the NHS 😏 I'm a little worried to start them, but I've heard (mostly) amazing things about them so I'm also excited to start. Mixed emotions! How about you? x

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Yes this looks a really lovely way to travel with chronic illness. We usually tent camp which I love but I have lost capacity this year so our last camp I couldn't contribute much to setting up and taking down etc. I definitely see the attraction of a campervan!

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Yes camping can definitely be a strain on the body with all the prep and set up it takes. I'm still trying to get to grips with that guilty feeling of not being able to help set things up as much as I would like to. Some days are easier than others. I've found the weather impacts my joints, so on colder days it's much harder to get going. It's important to listen to your body and do what feels right in those monents ☺️

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Thank you for your story. It's making me feel much more hopeful about traveling in the future with my chronic pain. 💛

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Yey this makes me so happy to hear.

I've had to keep reminding myself that just because I've had one bad outing it doesn't mean they will all be like that and I need to keep adjusting and trying again. This latest trip really surprised me at how well my body coped! My apprehension was worse than the actual outcome. I think the key for me is really clear and open communication about my needs with the people I'm travelling with or asking for help when needed (which I know can be super difficult). I do hope you can enjoy a trip away one day and I would love to hear how it goes. All the best 💕

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Aw this a gorgeous post and it’s so heart warming to hear about the tribute to your husbands late mum! She will be well chuffed you’ve bought an adventure van and are enjoying the (hard earned by her in the past) inheritance.

I live in a static caravan without any central heating and I love living everyday like I’m on holiday! My creativity went through the roof as soon as I moved here. I described it as an extra layer of healing.

The country park I live in closes in Jan & Feb so the first year I was here I went to Thailand for 2 months! It was cheaper to live there than find somewhere here.

I was asked a great question “what do you do when you’re ill?”. The same as what I do when at home, it’s that horrific it doesn’t make any difference where you are. Though I was super lucky my health took another massive hike in improvement and I was experiencing mild pain and symptoms for the first time in my life starting only the day before I went.

I truly hope you find these nature escapes and down to earth adventures a part of your healing process 💜

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Thank you so much Amber and for sharing your experience too! There is something so free about that kind of life, and being closer to nature is just so special.

That is such a great idea about going to Thailand for the winter months!

It's strange how things unfold in our lives isn't it. I love how you have made it your own and I hope to do the same ☺️ our lives might not look conventional to 'society', but I'm trying to embrace it. Like you, it feels healing and creative. I can't stop writing in my journal when I'm on my travels 🥰

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It took me 3 years to realise that society wasn’t cheerleading on my wins and achievements and be comfortable with it. My new life was creating health and my health was improving yet society disagrees with what I’ve done to get this well and tells everyone this kind of health isn’t possible. Something very amiss there🤔

I’m so glad you have such a lovely supportive amazing husband to be by your side who understands 🙏✨💜🔹🍁

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That's so true. I'm learning this too, it's been quite the eye opener. Society promises that if you follow a certain path it will protect you and catch you if you fall, but when you actually get ill, where is this magic support that was promised? 🤔

Thankfully we can learn from each other on platforms like this! I would have thought I was going a bit mad if I didn't hear other people having incredibly similar experiences 😄

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It doesn’t want you to realise that you don’t need a security net, you are powerful beyond measure.

I prefer not to think there is any malice to it. Just a lot of confusion and self doubt. A great lack of insight and awareness. That we are here to change that.

It still makes me smile/wince when I recall back to believing the specialist it took me 20 years to be allowed to see would help me get to the root course of illness and create a plan to support me back to wellness 😂🤣

I’m so grateful for this deep down knowing that there was a root cause and i was just slightly misguided as to where I would find it!

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I love that 💕 what a journey! x

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