Sensory issues with clothes

I have recently made a video of me talking about sensory issues I have with clothes. There is one other sensory issue I have but it isn't to do with having Asperger's. It is to do with the scar I have from my heart surgery. Most of my clothes have pictures printed on them and not sewn so they don't have any backing. I do have a couple of nighties though that do. When I wore them last year during the hot weather, the backing on them did rub against my scar and make it itch. I had never had this problem before but now I do. I think I will be giving those nighties to a charity shop now that I can't wear them any longer.

To find out about my other sensory issues, check out my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvh3FOnxCAiITh1cosZM_Lg

To find out more about me growing up with Asperger's, why not check out the Autism Parenting Magazine. I have had articles in it this year; January and this month. You can find the magazine here https://members.autismparentingmagazine.com/dap/a/?a=55311&p=AutismParentingMagazine.com/how_to_purchase

Resilience and Me - The 8 Firsts in my life

 Having endocarditis in 2020-21 gave me a whole lot of firsts in my life. I have mentioned some in my memoir but here are ones that I can recall.

1. My first CT scan. These are fine just as long as they don't involve a cannula, which the first couple I had to have did. If you hate needles as much as me, do ask if they could put it in your arm when you are lying down.

2. My first MRI scan. I think my mum told me at the time about the loud noises you experience. They are loud even wearing ear plugs and headphones which are given to you. If you have music going on the machine, try to tune into that. It does help. Another tip is that you can't usually wear metal during the scan so if your shape allows go without a bra and wear a crop top and wear joggers/trackies or a skirt (weather permitting).

3. My first blood transfusion. I never want one of those again. It takes 4-5 hours to complete, even longer if you are like me and need the toilet often.

4. My first major surgery. One I hope to never repeat in my life. My mechanical heart valve is meant to be for life. This is why I chose this instead of a tissue valve.

5. My first pacemaker. I never expected to have one of those at all in my life. If you have read my memoir, then you know why I was fitted one. I might have to have it replaced later in life as they don't last as long as a valve. I do know that I will probably this year have to have one of the leads replaced as it is making extra noise (my body has always been complicated).

6. My first time having carers. I never thought I'd have them until I was much older. They did help me to recover at home, knowing that I wasn't alone all day.

7. My first time using hospital transport. I didn't even know that it existed until I was transferred to my second and third hospitals, and then when I came home could use it to attend my appointments. I still use it today especially to go to my main appointments at Guy's and St Thomas's hospitals. It involves waiting around for them to come and collect you both at home and at hospital but it is a door to door service.

8. Saying that, the above is another first for me – attending hospital appointments on my own. Before the surgery I always used to go with my mum as I was afraid of getting lost and not knowing what to say to medical staff due to my Asperger's. I now go to all my appointments on my own, something that I am amazed I do. I believe that it comes from no longer having a hole in the heart which made me nervous. So, one good thing did come out of that period of my life.

BTW my memoir 'Endocarditis - My Journey' got a 5 star review from The Book Dragon store, which you can read on their website. It is available to buy there as well as my website, Amazon and other ebook retailers.

Why I love being an indie author

 I am sorry I haven't been on here these past few months, but if you know me on Facebook you will know why. For those who aren't, then the short story is that my health took a bad turn and I had to go into hospital. I had to have major heart surgery to replace a heart valve and a pacemaker fitted. I was in for nearly 8 weeks. I came home to an empty house because while I was in hospital, my mum had a fall and ended up in another hospital herself. She is back home now but bed bound with carers coming in to do her personal care and meals four times a day. I am still recovering but back to writing as an indie author. One of the reasons I love being an indie author is you are only accountable to yourself and when something happens like the above and you can't write, then it is a relief. 

Apart from a couple of ideas for short stories I jotted down pre-surgery, I didn't do any writing. I couldn't. It took so much effort to recover and get moving by myself again. It was only when I was home and after a couple of weeks when I read writing magazines that I thought about writing. Before I went into hospital I was half way through writing a cozy mystery but I didn't fancy writing that. I started reading children's books and decided that I wanted to write something new like that. I already had a few ideas jotted down. One came to me but it was all muddled in my mind. Then I saw a second idea and it jumped out at me. This is what I am now writing. A new series for 7-9s. I am enjoying writing again.

A reason I love being an indie author, you can write what you want and when. Imagine what might have happened if I was under a traditional publisher and writing that book... I will go back to working on the mystery some time but I am having fun writing for children, esp when the characters have Asperger's. It is under my 'autism meets magical realism' brand and 'learn about autism' umbrella.

Enjoy what you are writing and have fun with it.