A few anniversaries this week. 

Leap year kidney Anniversary 29th February 2012. 

Technically 3 years old. Realistically 13 which is the age of my colleagues’ daughter who was born that day. What a great announcement to receive in my groggy icu bed.

2015 was the year I was asked to be a ‘poster girl’ for a catheter launch by a Danish supplier. The photo was used for instructions for patients, and product posters round hospitals. People sometimes come up to me saying ‘ I think I know you’. Actually they do not! That product is still in use – a ladies disposable catheter called ‘Eve’. 

Fast forward to 2025 and I’ve again been asked to poster person up the newest product. This one is called Luja. A considerable upgrade to Eve.

This brings me to the week. The launch of Luja. Staying at the Royal College of GPs. Euston Road. Just a few steps away from UCLH where of course I’m more used to staying! Dinner at the Connaught rooms. Keynote speaker Kadena Cox Olympian. Wow what an inspirational lady. Marcus Perrineau Daley was there. Pete Reed was there. Urological surgeons, nurses, clinical specialists. Microbiology Consultants. Nutrition experts. Urogyny doctors. Wow. Bringing together amazing people. Some of them I’ve know for years.
Thursday was a day of presentations from representatives of all these fields. A touch of yoga in between sessions to keep everyone on task!. ( game changer).

Pete spoke with such eloquence and sensitivity about his medals – his Olympic golds, his naval service, which preceded his spinal stroke. He possesses a touch of gravitas that transforms into a warmth as he speaks, which is truly captivating. The way he acknowledges and draws inspiration from the efforts of his family is profoundly moving.

Then, somehow, it was my turn. Feeling like a total imposter, I was a bundle of nerves as I gave three presentations back-to-back, each one a bit crazier than the last. The audiences were kind enough to laugh at all the right times. Especially when I confessed that while I couldn’t compete with the heroes mentioned earlier, my proudest moment was attending the Paralympics for just one morning last year!

The story I usually start at a presentation starts BC before catheters. Teacher. Skier. Runner. Swimmer. Mother.

Then I shorten the surgical bits – AC. After Catheters. If I kind of judge the audience is up for it I’ll do my ‘Fifty Shades of Urodynamics story’. That laughter is worth a million procedural disasters.

This week I alluded to Bridget Jones. 

I forgot to say most things but never mind their kindness and questions afterwards mean so much. 

Not only but also I went into Westminster this week. At long last the APPG Bladder and Bowel Health committee has been reignited. Fabulous new chair. Great plans afoot. Watch this space. I was bloody pleased to conincidentally bump into a local MP who is helping me make inroads into the undignified disregard for proper provision of continence products for elderly dying care home residents. A fact I came across last year. He and I hugged chatted and giggled. What on earth about I cannot remember. But we did peer out of the window to watch the farmers protest inch slowly past.

I’m really not sure how I ended up in these amazing places and events. It feels like I might wake up from this dream at any moment. It’s a classic case of imposter syndrome kicking in.

In terms of motivation, all I want is to make things better for the next generation dealing with bladder, bowel, and benign issues. As for me, I’m sorted and lucky enough to have a pretty good idea of what I’m doing. Jerome steps in when I falter.

Then just when I’m chilling in the sun … I trip over the dog … I’m in A and E.  A balloon sized knee. They are being brilliant here. Speed efficiency clarity. More news on that to come! 

Finally