The 5 “F’s” that landed me in surgery yesterday and why it could apply to you too! - one of the F’s is not fashion btw…

They are –

Female

Fair

Over Forty

Fertile (have had children)

Family History of Gall stones

I’m not normally one to pull the violin out when I’m not feeling well, but I realised I was so under educated until only a few weeks ago about the gall stones that had been living inside me - for what must have been a long time - it was worth talking about. Thankfully the lovely surgeon removed my gall bladder yesterday and I’ll bounce back to normal fitness soon.

I had no idea that these 5 factors existed until the visit with my surgeon, and lucky for me I tick every box! I realised if I didn’t know about them maybe many of the ladies I know haven’t heard these either. It seemed most of the friends I brought it up with hadn't heard this.

It is interesting to note it took me three GP visits to have my pain investigated fully, and this only happened when I requested an ultrasound myself. The severe abdominal pain that came on suddenly wasn’t in the standard position in my body for gall stones, so it was put down to the above average amount of alcohol I had consumed that night – guilty as charged…

So, the moral of this story is – if your GP gives you a diagnosis that just doesn’t feel right to you, keep on pushing for more investigation. Until you have solid evidence the diagnosis matches the pain, keep investigating. And…an over consumption of alcohol can happen to us all, but not necessarily land you in severe pain.

A huge thank you to every one of you for your support of my label, and I hope you have all had a great cup day luncheon today (possibly including...an over consumption of alcohol, am I right?!)

Love and hugs to you all.

Nicola xx