Hysteria...

I'm not talking about my state of mind, but the fabulous anthology containing the winning entries of the Hysteria Writing Competition.

And guess what? I won first prize with my poem!

A few months ago, I certainly wasn't thinking of winning a poetry competition, having just experienced some major surgery [you can read about this on the rest of my blog]. My life was put on hold. On reflection I was really poorly, although I make light of it in this blog. Pain is wearing, fatigue eats away at you. However, our bodies have a remarkable ability to heal and rebalance if we let them. Take time. Be patient as a patient.

I had been accepted on the MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University in March and my goal was to be well enough to enjoy it. I had no idea that in July & most of August I would be convalescing from abdominal hysterectomy. And up until September I still wasn't sure I'd be well enough. 

But I was. Somehow.

So, if you are entering that phase where you feel really poorly, slow and helpless, and can't even concentrate. Then, know it will pass. I did a little more every day, resting and having some gentle complementary treatments to aid the process.

Writing was also a great healer and this blog was a result of that period in my life. I'm really busy at the moment reading and writing on my course plus working part-time and I'm so thankful for all the help I received during my 'down time'.

I found the Hysterectomy Association forum a useful place to connect and talk with women of my age who were also encountering difficulties with their health.

If you want to read my poem then go to The Blog of Linda Parkinson-Hardman where you can download Hysteria Anthology 3.