The Chronic Sisters

Join Jess and Sian in this light hearted episode fuelled by delirium and post procedural high. The girls play a question and answer game created by the company Best Self Co. Get ready for weird, wacky and wonderful answers that will hopeful tickle the funny bone. Play along too and send us in your best answers!This is not a sponsored episode but if you would like to find out more about the cards that the girls use in the episode you can find them here: https://bestself.co

Join Jess and Sian as they navigate the 5 stages of grief and how it applies to the chronic illness community and little tips to make the journey a bit easier. Join them for a raw chat about all of the feelings around living in a body that continually fails you and how to help pick yourself up by knowing your self love language. Find all the resources that the girls talk about here: 5 Stages of Grief in Chronic Illness: www.healthline.com/health/chronic-illness/stages-of-grief-new-medical-diagnosisSelf love quiz: findingjulianne.com/self-love-language-quiz Gottmans Institute: www.gottman.com/couplesSelf love language breakdown: www.chcc.gov.mp

TW: Discussions of Mental Health Join Jess and Sian on the second episode of the Mental Health Mini Series. This Episode the girls talk about different strategies that we can all implement to improve our mental health. From cold showers to deep breathing to the science behind the dreaded yoga class. The girls unpack what they try to do to improve their mental health and ways in which you can too. For anyone who feels like they need help with their mental health some of the resources the girls talk about are available here: Calm: www.calm.comSmiling Minds: www.smilingmind.com.auCloudy: trycloudy.comDisclaimer: Jess and Sian are not mental health professionals. No product discussed is an advert or endorsement. Jess and Sian discuss their own opinion and their own experience. Please consult your medical professional to discuss you health management

TW: This episode talks about PTSD, anxiety and depression. Please reach out if you need help. Speak to your GP to get you started on your mental health journey. Other resources available: Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/ Join Jess and Sian as they start their first mini series within the podcast all about Mental Health. This episode the girls touch base on their experiences with anxiety and depression whilst dealing with a chronic illness. Disclaimer: Jess and Sian are not mental health professionals, they speak of their own experiences and are not diagnosing or prescribing. Please seek professional help at your closest most appropriate medical facility.

Join Jess and Sian as they speak to the co-founders of The Spoonie Society; Helene and Dom. These two ladies have taken the business world by storm. Join the Chronic SIsters in the conversation of how they have grown an international business in a short 10 months that helps and supports the spoonie community in more ways than one whilst battling the life of a spoonie themselves. Find more info about the Spoonie Society at: https://www.thespooniesociety.com.au/

This week join Jess and Sian as they talk about the pains of being in pain. Living with chronic pain can be hard and confusing. We often allow our pain to go unchecked and an recognised. This week the girls talk about the science behind the pain and the weird and wonderful methods they use to reduce their day to day pains.Key resources mentioned in this weeks episode:Ted Talk- “How the Brain responds to pain” by Karen D Davis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7wfDenj6CQFleetwood Mac Song from Sian’s “Fun Fact Follow Up”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrZRURcb1cM

Following on from our dating and relationship episode we dive in to the deep topic of family planning. Chronic illness can effect peoples fertility in a number of ways. We talk about how if effects our choices, our plans and our feelings as our internal clocks continue to tick-tock regardless. Tune in for a real talk moment about choosing motherhood.

Dating in the modern era is a rough terrain to navigate at the best of times. Add in a little spice with having a chronic illness and you have a minefield to tip toe through. With the constant debate of should I tell them? Should I not? its a rough ride sometimes. Join Jess and Sian as they share their tails of turmoil of past offenders and how to build a better foundation moving forward with open-ness and care at the centre.

Trigger Warning: This episode will have body image conversations. If this conversation triggers negative thoughts and feelings about yourself and your body please reach out to your GP. Its ok not to be okay.Episode 4 we are talking about the connection between our brains and our bodies. How can we love a thing that causes us so much pain but at the same time brings us so much good?! Join us as we dive into our deep body hold ups and how our chronic illnesses have impacted our perception of our bodies.

This episode we dive in to what a good friend looks like and how to deal with the red flags from those toxic friends that stick around for too long. Join us as we touch on friendship theories from some of our favourite authors such as Florence Given and Dr. Hannah Korrel. We share some key tips on how you can show your love and friendship to your closest Spoonie.

TRIGGER WARNING! We are talking about near misses and near-death experiences, medical trauma and how these can affect your perception of the world. Tissues are advised.  We urge our community to seek help if this episode causes emotional distress. Please seek professional help via:GPA psychologist or mental health professionalPhoenix Australia Centre for Post-traumatic Mental Health Tel. (03) 9035 5599General telephone counseling services can provide advice:Lifeline Tel. 13 11 14GriefLine Tel. 1300 845 745Beyondblue Tel. 1300 22 4636Kids Helpline Tel. 1800 55 1800

Welcome to our Chronic Sisters community. We are so happy that you’ve come to join us on our journey of  chronically over-sharing  our experiences living with a chronic illness in todays world.  This first episode is a little introduction to us and what we do and why we’re doing this podcast.  We’ll be talking about our lives as nurses, the origins of the “Spoon Theory” and life with a ticking heart valve.