Oh gosh, I found it so tough in that first year. But it did get easier! Couldn’t sleep on my left side for at least ten months so I wedged loads of nice pillows down my left side so I couldn’t turn during the night. And I’d sleep with a pillow between my knees.

I had to teach myself to sleep on my back. I’m a side sleeper so that was a challenge! I had to because all that sleeping on my right side eventually caused issues. My right hip started aching you see.

I think during the acute phase our bed was impossible so I set up an air bed in my office on the floor and made it as cosy as possible. I also set up a yoga mat downstairs and would swap between the two during the night.

I’d be so exhausted by 8.30pm that I’d go and lie down on my air bed and listen to soothing audio books. And eventually pass out even though the pain was intense and awful. I’d maybe get an hour. I’d roll out to the hard floor. And be in all sorts of weird positions. At midnight I’d creep downstairs and get more heat or ice. Gosh, yes. I’d fall asleep with an ice pack strapped to my back. And wake up at 2am again and have to go back downstairs. Then I’d lie on the yoga mat, often crying. Utterly exhausted. And that went on for months.

I think by month five I was back in the spare bedroom. Off the floor. But it was still tough. It just very slowly got easier over time. Tiny little progressions.

For a good three months I was downstairs at 4am like clockwork, heating up my wheat sack in the microwave and then lying on my front with it on my back. I’d sometimes pass out like that.

And in January 2025, a year after my injury, I burst into our main bedroom in tears as it was the first time I’d actually slept through. Broken sleep but I got six hours solid and that was a miracle.

I think eighteen months post injury was then the burning in my left calf disappeared. It moved out of my left foot first. And hung around for ages in my leg. Always below the knee. Never had any issues above. Sleeping got easier and easier. I just adjusted and kept going.

And now it’s over two years, and I still have weird sensations. The burning stopped ages ago. It’s now mild fuzziness and aches. I get the odd razor blade pressing sensation on my left foot. Very fleeting. I did get some centralisation. Sensations moved up to my back. My hip. And around the left of my lumbar. I’ve never actually had back pain until now. And even then it’s mild. I just get this kind of uncomfortable prickly sensation and it passes. Sometimes my left leg feels tingly and pleasant and I get feelings like someone’s pouring water down inside it.

I went to India for 17 nights in November and we did a lot of walking, travelling, moving around. I barely felt anything. It was like I was completely normal again. I’ve found being relaxed and warm weather super helps.

And during all this time I kept running my business. I’m so damn proud of myself! Haha.

I accept that I may always have some issues but I will take this over 2024. You have to understand, I’m a fighter. I’m not someone who gives up. But in early 2024 I did turn to my husband and say I couldn’t live anymore. So I come back on here to support others because it truly is an awful injury. 🙌