A Special Birthday Treat

And relax...........

I don't remember the last time I was able to celebrate my birthday properly, obviously I've still received cards and gifts, but I mean going out to celebrate it and this has been down to poor health. The last party was for my 30th and I was six months pregnant at the time. 

So back in April I decided to that this year I would, no matter what. A friend recommended the Lifehouse Spa in Essex - actually its been more raving about ever since she went there. 

My best friend's birthday is on the 4th July, 3 days before mine, so it made sense to rope her into the action. Imagine my surprise when not only had she heard of the Spa but had been dying for an excuse to go too. 

Unfortunately we have pesky husbands that work away a lot, so it would have been too good to be true to be able to go in July. As it happened that worked out for the best because I ended up having an operation on the 6th July. June it was and to be honest we were so excited that the sooner the better was our motto. 

Lifehouse Spa run regular promotions on line, for their spa packages. We paid £99 each, for the LOVElife package, which includes: 

Room

Breakfast

Dinner

Full use of Spa facilities

The Playground (Gym)

Fitness & Wellness classes

Plus a complimentary treatment (Facial, Back Massage or Head Massage)

Glass Walkways
Photo Credit: visitessex.com

June 13th couldn't arrive quick enough and as we drove into the secluded grounds I expected to see the quintessential English Manor House, converted into a Spa. Instead we found a large but completely in keeping, unimposing modern building surrounded by country grounds, seamlessly blending into each other. Similar to those Eco homes you see built on Grand Designs. No building no more than 3 storeys high and glass making up a good majority of the buildings. Including the enclosed walkways to each of the different areas. So even if it's raining, you can still enjoy the surroundings. 

Lifehouse aim to to provide a relaxing environment, which also makes you feel as if you are the only people there. And throughout the stay that is exactly how we felt. Not like we were on a conveyor belt of people waiting for treatments. 

The concierge will park your car for you and takes your luggage into reception, whilst you are checked-in by a dedicated receptionist, who gives you a schedule of your pre-booked treatments, classes and meals. (I thoroughly recommend booking ahead of your stay, as the treatments are very sort after and get booked up fast).  

Concierge then took us to our rooms, with our luggage. He offered to to give us a guided tour but I prefer to nosey around myself. 

Bedroom
Photo Credit: cowans.co.uk

We'd booked a Twin Room, which was very spacious and French Doors overlooking the grounds. Something small but silly, that I particularly liked, was that the beds weren't uniformly next to each other - as you get in other hotels but in a L shape on adjacent walls. . Which meant at the end of the day we could sit and chat on our own beds - in a fun sleep over way. 

The bathroom was also large, with a wet room / shower for two at one end and was constantly at a lovely cosy temperature - that even made the floor tiles warm to the feet. 

No sooner had Mr. Concierge left us to it, were we changing into our swimming costumes and slipping on the complimentary bath robes. Which were gorgeously soft, not rough like they sometimes are from too many boil washes. 

The Spa area itself is only a short distance from each accommodation area, for us it was just past the Waterlillies restaurant and next to the Oriental Bathing Experience - touted as the 'Ultimate in Relaxtion' but at £122 for 120 minutes I am yet to find out what that entails. 

A large Jacuzzi, fits 8 people comfortably, Steam and Sauna room, Salt Inhalation Room and Freezing plunge pool make up the spa. I particularly enjoyed the Salt inhalation which cleanses the sinuses and respiratory systems. Absorbing moisture and killing bacteria. If you have a cold I thoroughly recommend a short stint in here. 

Through a glass partition is the 18.5m Swimming Salt water Swimming pool. All the water in the spa is Salt water, opposed to Chlorine. Again in keeping with the Lifehouse philosophy of detox and purify. 

My first treatment was a Lifehouse Barbor taster facial, (Since our stay, Lifehouse are now using ESPA products for their treatments) in the treatment rooms above the spa. Because the only place you can use mobiles etc (this isn't gestapo enforced) is in the bedrooms. It's impossible to keep track of time so once you've booked in at the treatment reception you are given a buzzer (similar to the ones they give you TGI Fridays, for when your table is ready). You are then shown to the smoothie bar where you can sit until your buzzer goes off and your beautician is ready and waiting. 

I found the treatment rooms to be pretty much like any other i have been in, except a noticeable and welcome difference was that the rooms were warm - not stifling hot and not air conditioned freezing. 

After 25 minutes I felt refreshed and so relaxed I wanted to go to bed not to Dinner. 

I had my other two treatments the following day, a Footlogix Wellness pedicure with Jessica GELeration Overlay and a Jessica prescription manicure with GELeration Overlay. These treatments were done in the Communal Therapy Area - the opposite end to the private treatment rooms. The Chairs are what it must feel like to sit on a cloud in heaven. Every single part of my body was softly supported - I'd not been sat in it for more than 5 minutes before I started drifting off. I'm sure that had nothing to do with the two bottles of wine we had, had the night before but I welcomed the refreshing ice cold glass of water with lemon. 


After each treatment your beautician takes you to the Ssshh zone, with a variety of beds, chairs and sofa's for you to continue with your inner relaxation, even a little nap if you so wish. should you have a need for further relaxation massage chairs are available free of charge. Being a Spa Snorty Snorter I managed to keep myself awake and avoid any embarrassment.

Sssshhh Area

Our dinner was in the Waterlillies restaurant, our server was Monica possibly the most attentive and loveliest lady I have ever had the pleasure to meet. The menu is truly gourmet ad in no way rabbit food. I enjoyed the most delicious and tender Lamb I have ever had the chance to eat. Desert was a Chocolate Melting Pudding with Ice Cream. Perfect again, as I don't like anything too sickly or rich. 

Waterlillies
Photo credit: itsallweeat.com

Positively stuffed and perhaps a little tipsy, we retired to our rooms and what are described as Luxury beds and that they are. One of the best nights sleeps I have had in a while and I think we can thank not only the bed but the whole spa experience. 


The following day, check out was at 11am but there is no need to be physically at reception at that time (queueing with everyone else while you could still be enjoying the facilities). Instead, as long as you've packed up, you can arrange for concierge to collect your bags and continue using all the services and treatments until 3pm. this meant we could have a leisurely breakfast, the remainder of our treatments and as the sun had come out a couple of hours drinking refreshment on one of the many sun trap terraces. We definitely left, as promised, with a the best possible after spa glow - that lasted too!

Surrounding Grounds
Photo credit: maplandia.com

Please do not be out off by the electronic communications in rooms only policy, I am the worst Smart Phone addict there is and I can say hand on heart, no sooner was I out of the room that I barely thought of about it. There is plenty to keep your senses awake and entertained. 


There is also the opportunity to borrow wellies or bikes to explore the surrounding grounds if you get the chance or inclination.


Lastly, a lovely touch, which I didn't use but is a wonderful idea - the Spa offers a complimentary 'Meet & Greet' Service from Thorpe-Le-Soken train station (Must be booked in advance). 




Lifehouse Spa 
Visit Essex Tourism

Ulcerative Colitis, Ileostomy and Me

***********WARNING THIS BLOG CONTAINS A LOT OF CRAP *************


Today is World IBD Day, part of Crohns & Colitis Awareness Month. For me it is a day of celebration - because, although, my IBD doesn't define me - it has made me who I am.


I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis back in 2006, after what I thought was an ongoing stomach bug I'd caught in Bulgaria. Everyone on my mothers side, inc my brother, suffer from IBS but I'd never had any problems. Suddenly in Bulgaria, whilst laying on the beach, I became aware that my Bikini Bottoms were filling with something unpleasant. I had to waddle back to hotel with a beach towel wrapped round me. Little did I know this would be the first of uncontrolled mucus messes I would get into.


Back home my stomach didn't settle, I was back and forth to the family GP whose answer never changed from 'It's IBS nothing to worry about' and 'your too young for it to be anything serious'. Then I started passing clots that looked little baby mice. I knew I had to get the doctor to take notice so I got an emergency appointment the next morning and took him a lovely sample in a Chinese Takeaway Carton. 


Sit up he did and then he went so pale I thought he may faint. Immediately there was hurried discussions of urgent tests and specialist appointments. I am very, very fortunate in that I get private health insurance through work - so it was less than a week of sleepless nights before I saw Mr Strauss - who would become my super hero and life saver. 


I can't remember if Mr Strauss said straight away that it was UC or whether he waited until all the tests were back but the relief of having a diagnoses was amazing. Not more so than because I was due to get married in a couple of months and despite always being skinny I was beyond ridiculous. 

This is me on our Honeymoon - I'd managed to get up to a UK size 6

I was started on Asacol 3 times a day and I'll be honest, except for the odd flare up that required a 2 week dose of steroids, the next 5 years were pretty much plain sailing. 


In 2008 I fell pregnant with my son, Callum, and throughout the pregnancy my UC was monitored but remained well behaved. Sadly that was short lived and when Callum was 6 months old, I was rushed into Edinburgh Royal Infirmary - not more than 2 hours after landing in Scotland for Valentines Weekend. My UC had gone into overload, and I had to be kept in on a steroid drip for 2 weeks. 


After this we never managed to get control of the UC again, I was under two specialists now - Mr Strauss Consultant Surgeon and Mr Melia Consultant Gastroentrologist. Every medication and treatment available at the time was tried and failed me. I was on the highest dose of Steroids for 9 months. I couldn't work and was barely able to look after myself let alone my baby. In the end we had to move in with my parents because I could no longer lift Callum or even cuddle him. 


The suggestion had been made about Surgery but because of my age it was to be thought as a last resort. After 9 months I was more than aware I was no longer living I was just surviving. Not only was my health taking its toll one me but the fact I couldn't even comfort my own child was getting me down further. 
I took the decision to have the ileostomy with the view to reverse it, if I wanted. People often ask if it was a hard decision but for me it was a bag or my life. 


Again I was lucky that I had Private Healthcare because it all happened very quickly, I chose though to have the Op done in the local NHS hospital because it meant that money would be going back into the hospital - for those not as lucky as me. 


By this point I had become massive, from the steroids, I refused to buy clothes in a (MUCH) bigger size so had been wearing my maternity clothes again. My husband just looked a picture of me in hospital and asked who it was. I would end up going back into the same hospital 3 months later and none of the staff recognised me because I had lost all of my steroid weight. 

Callum and I - the day after my Op

The last time I saw my belly like this - X marks the spot!

Introducing my Stoma -Gizmo and it's friend the Bag.

I had no initial problems with dealing with the Stoma in that it didn't make me squeamish and I didn't find it repulsive to look at or touch. I think age was on my side as I have only known my body for 30 odd years and I think that its why the elderly struggle so much to adjust to having a stoma. It must be a shock after some many years. The changing of the bag was difficult to get my head round, in that, it was taking me an hour and seem very complicated. The Stoma nurses at Darenth Valley Hospital are amazing though, so very supportive and diagram for everything. 

Straight away, even whilst recovering, I knew I'd made the right decision. I already felt massively better just from having my Toxic large bowel removed. And yes now I could poo anywhere I wanted. I didn't have to worry about where the nearest loo was. 

3 days after leaving the hospital I did have my mini breakdown though, thanks to very unsupportive Community Stoma Nurse. Who told me in no uncertain terms I could forget about fashion - all I'd be wearing for the rest of my life was tracksuit bottoms and woollen jumpers, come rain or shine. She also told me I'd never be able to fully conceal my bag. 

For 3 days after I cried non stop. Still wearing my maternity clothes and refusing to leave house. Then I had an Epiphany - I'd never noticed anyone in the street / public with bag before and I must have come at least across at least one?! So I went onto the Internet and finally happened across the Young Ileostomates website. On the forums were the answers to my prayers. Simple but common sense advice galore - including how to get prescription stoma underwear. One week later a packet of said underwear arrived and ......well I think this picture paints a thousand words.

That is my fat happy in a delirious way face!

My joy was only short lived as 2 weeks later I was struck down by Severe UC flare up symptoms but how was that possible? Well a rectal stump had been left for the purpose of a reversal to a J-pouch some time in the future. Now I don't know what the statistics are but I do know it is very UNcommon for the UC to return to the stump but like a dog called Lucky, it had to mine. 

I was already unsure if I wanted to have the J-pouch, there was all that talk about re-training the bowel and still going to the toilet a lot. To be honest I've never had it so easy since having this bag - accidents aside!! So I wasn't too dismayed when they told me that they would have to remove the remaining stump. There I was just before a week before Christmas having my arsehole sewn up. No really I was....they pull the colon out via the 'anus' and then stitch it all together. This still amuses me now and sometimes in the bath I forget and think 'Oh My God!! What has happened'.

Trust me it has not been plain sailing ever since and the above, believe it or not is the abridged version but I got my life back and my family got me back.

As part of World Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis Month I will continue with my story but focusing on the highs and lows of life with an Ileostomy.

If you have any questions, please feel to ask via the comments on here or via my twitter account @sonikmummy - DM if you want to do it private. 

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to read such a personal story.

Crohn's and Colitis UK

Young Ileostomates - Young IA

Testing, Testing....123...REAL Product Testing

We've all received the e-mails 'Test the new iPad 3' and we have all filled in the questionnaire at least once. Then all you get is SPAM in your inbox!

Then about a year ago, a friend on twitter @juppppy , introduced me to BZZAGENT a online social marketing company. Now back then I saw all the surveys and thought 'Oh here we go' and didn't go back after my first registration. 

A month or so ago I couldn't sleep and you know how it is, you have the smartphone, charging by the side of the bed, and before you know it your surfing the web when you should be reading a book. I happened across the BZZAGENT site again and thought what the hell...

...guess what?! They do send out products to test. The other difference is that the products that are sent out are chosen by both you and BZZAGENT, so your not getting Cat Food when you don't even have a fish. 

The idea is you test the product and then talk about it, not just to your friends and family but also the social networking sites you already used. You receive your sample, plus the product literature and coupons to pass on to Friends and Family.  Everyone is a winner and you get to be honest about the product in your reviews too. 

My first product was Naturally Powered All in One Citrus Toilet Cleaner. 

We all have a toilet that we would hate a guest to use, ours is the downstairs one - nicknamed the 'Boys Toilet' because they use it but not the toilet brush. I seem to be permanently scrubbing with various liquids. 

I tell no lie now when I say this is as good as turning water into wine, all I did was pour the liquid around the bowl and leave it until the next flush. Imagine my surprise when my 3yr old comes out of there asking when we got a new toilet. Not only sparkly bright white, the severe limescale is gone (We live in a hard water area) and I've not had to scrub a single section!! 

Naturally Powered was made up by a group of scientists who wanted to develop a range of eco-friendly home cleaning products, safe for the family as well as the environment. Made up using a combination of plant derived ingredients, rather than just one - which is what makes it so powerful yet not harmful. The whole range has been dermatologically tested so is kind to skin. 

The use of natural ingredients does have one downside in that the Citrus fragrance isn't very strong but in the same vein your not left with a nasty chemical smell either, even when it's left to rest in the toilet. Ideal if you anyone in the household has Asthma or breathing problems. 

The only other criticism is the Logo / Writing on the packaging. It's not bold enough that you remember the name of the product. I have to check the name of it everytime I use it. 

The Packaging itself is made from recycled materials, that can be recycled again when you finish. Win Win in my eyes.

Available at 500 Tesco sides. 

My second product was Halo Sanitary Wear, now these I have already seen in the shops but would never try because Sanitary Wear is like a good hairdresser - you put a lot of faith and trust in them. 

Included in this package was sample packs of Panty Liners, Sanitary Towels and Tampons - as well as the literature and coupons. 

The packaging is lovely - nice and cheerful but doesn't draw attention to the fact your on your period if it falls out your bag. 

I don't use tampons, so one the girls at work are testing those for me, but I did use the other. The inside packaging takes a little getting used to, the first two attempts left me in a panic that the whole thing was going to end up all screwed up and unusable. What the manufacturer has tried to do is make it more simple - the outer plastic wrapping is attached with glue to the backing of the towel - but there is just not enough so it gets a bit fiddly. The towels / liners themselves have a very good adhesive, no worries about them slipping or falling out. (Or even worse, flipping over and resulting in a medieval Hollywood Wax the next time you use the loo). 

The scented liner is not overly scented and not chemically smelling either. The breathable liner could perhaps do with being a little thinner but they are both very comfortable. I wasn't aware of them during the day. 

Woman in the UK spend around £20 Million on towels and tampons a MONTH and it all annoys us that these necessaries also have VAT on them - you didn't?? Think about that next time you have PMT. The fantastic idea behind Halo is that for every pack sold 15p goes to Women's Health Charities IN the UK. That makes me feel better about the VAT swindle. 

For more info about either of this products or about joining BZZAGENT, please use the links below: 

www.halo-protects.com

www.naturally-powered.com

www.bzzagent.co.uk