Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a man who’s fallen for someone he works with who’s 15 years younger, and newly divorced after her husband cheated on her

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Nothing beats that sleep you have at a hotel. From the squashy-yet-supportive pillows to the crisp, puffy duvet, there’s little better than a proper good hotel snooze.

So, what if we told you that you could snap up the exact pillows used in countless hotels across the UK? And that a hotel-quality sleep could be your standard at home?

This World Sleep Day (which is tomorrow, FYI), I decided that I needed to switch up my bedding, and seeing as some of my greatest slumbers have been in hotels (Premier Inn, I’m looking at you), I knew there was nowhere better to look than Fine Bedding Co.

The Fine Bedding Co Set of 2 Boutique Silk® Pillows Bundle

Designed to turn your bedroom into a boutique hotel without the early checkout, these medium/firm, beautifully rich silk blend pillows are packed full of advanced Smartfil fibres blended with the finest silk, giving you a taste of ultimate natural indulgence from home.

shop £71.44 (save £4.56)

After the huge (and I mean life-changing) success of their Coverless Duvet, which is my new ride or die sleep essential, I thought there’s probably nobody I trust more than them to give me great sleep.

So, I snapped up their Boutique Silk Pillow bundle, as well as their Spundown Duvet, and put them to the test.

Designed to turn your bedroom into a boutique hotel without the early checkout, these medium/firm, beautifully rich silk blend pillows are packed full of advanced Smartfil fibres blended with the finest silk, giving you a taste of ultimate natural indulgence from home.

This is all encasing in a soft-to-the-touch cotton cover with a beautiful stripe design, adding extra breathability to the silk pillow and ensuring you’re comfortable and cool every time you lay down your head.

How do the pillows look?

Adorned with a sleek white stripe design, these pillows truly look the part. They’re sleek yet totally puffy, and look gorgeous alone or stacked with another pillow.

I slipped on the brand’s Eden Green Matelasse 100% BCI Cotton Duvet Cover Bedding and I absolutely loved how full and elegant they looked, especially accompanied by the gorgeously puffy and luxe duvet.

(Side note: These sheets are perhaps some of the most gorgeous I’ve ever owned. They look and feel such beautiful quality and have been made using crisp 100% responsibly sourced BCI Cotton. 10/10 would recommend.)

They just look so good. Literally like you’ve just checked yourself into a boutique hotel. Swoon.

How do the pillows feel?

You know that feeling when you jump onto a hotel bed and just sink into the cushions like they’re marshmallows? These pillows give that same, squishy and cosy feeling, truly like resting your head on a cloud.

While they claim to be medium/firm, I’d say that for my firm pillow-loving self they fall more around the medium mark, so if you like something a lot firmer then I’d opt for the Spundown Firm Support Cotton Pillow. Love a medium squish? The Boutique Silk Pillows will be for you.

The thing is though, while I do lean towards firm, I slept incredibly well on these pillows, and thanks to their impressive support I wasn’t left with a stiff neck in the morning. Instead, I was rested and comfortable, and what more can you ask for than that?

What I also love about these pillows is that they hold their shape night after night, dissimilar to pillows of the past that have become pancake-worthy within weeks.

What’s the price like?

Pricewise, these pillows come in at £38 for one, and £71.44 for two – so a nice little discount when you get the bundle. This is, admittedly, on the pricier side when it comes to pillows. All I can say is that a luxe feel like this seldom comes cheap, and they’re definitely on the lower end of the price spectrum for top-notch quality pillows.

Plus, can you really put a price on great sleep? I don’t think so…

And hundreds of shoppers agree, with 94% of reviewers (over 400!) calling the pillows a five-star buy and raving of how they’re ‘so so comfy’.

‘Amazing pillow!’ Raved one five-star reviewer. ‘For years I’ve looked for the perfect pillow, these are amazing! Highly recommend, they are soft but firm and keep their shape, I’ve no more neck and back pain in the morning’

‘I discovered these pillows at a hotel stay and quickly found out where to order them from. I now have that dreamy comfort in a pillow at home that I’ve been searching for, for ages!!! I love them.’ Wrote a second.

Another added: ‘So comfy Surprisingly light but very supportive without allowing the weight of your head to flatten it too much. It doesn’t retain heat too much either. Very satisfied.’

And the duvet?

What an absolute treat. Now, while this won’t be replacing my coverless duvet, it’s now my go-to in the guest bedroom which I use almost daily for naps.

The Fine Bedding Co Spundown Duvet – Double, Summer (4.5 Tog)

Cosy yet lightweight, this Spundown Duvet boasts advanced Smartfil fibres, making it compressible and perfectly squidgy. Similarly to the coverless duvet, this duvet fits effortlessly into your washing machine for quick and easy cleaning.

shop £40

The Spundown Duvet, like the pillows, boast advanced Smartfil fibres, making it compressible and perfectly squidgy. Similarly to the coverless duvet, this duvet fits effortlessly into your washing machine for quick and easy refreshing.

These innovative fibres swiftly recover, ensuring the duvet returns to its original plump shape after each wash. It’s also ideal for allergy sufferers as it can be washed at 60°C, effectively eliminating dust mites and providing outstanding protection and freshness.

This duvet gives a quilted down duvet look and feel but with gorgeously cosy Smartfil fibres instead, which I love because you get that lovely puff, luxe look while staying just the right amount of cosy.

It’s puffy and cloud-like while still squashing down to washing machine size, which is another excellent feature in my opinion.

What more can I say? This is the ultimate bedtime setup for international sleep week and beyond. Snap them up today for sweet dreams from here on out.

The Fine Bedding Co Eden Green Matelasse 100% BCI Cotton Duvet Cover Bedding

This stunning, soft emerald green duvet cover features a delicate matelasse design that looks simply stunning in any room. It's been crafted using the finest quality, sustainably sourced cotton for breathability throughout the night and a luxurious smoothness against the skin, while the percale weave gives a smooth finish and cool, crisp feel.

shop £37.50 (save £37.50)

Night Lark Seersucker Coverless Duvet Set

This seersucker Coverless Duvet comes with two pillowcases to create the perfect, cohesive look. Snuggly yet utterly practical, the duvet is easy to pop in the washing machine when needed, totally transforming laundry and sheet-change day.

shop £65

Your beauty sleep awaits.

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Resident agony aunt Coleen Nolan has advice for a parent who accepts her son for who she is, but is struggling when it comes to changing the name she gave her

When moving into a new home, there’s one place you often find yourself: Ikea.

It’s a go-to when you’re searching for furniture that looks chic and doesn’t break the bank, but shopping here inevitably means spending untold hoursputting your flat pack finds together (the stress of which often results in an argument).

If this trade-off fills you with dread, you may want to listen up, as there’s alittle-known furniture shop where you can get bargain prices on all sorts of homeware pieces — with no assembly required.

TikToker Haylii Ann, 21, recently shared her trip to Furniture Outlet, a hidden gem with locations across Essex and South London.

Having recently bought her first home, Haylii ventured to her local branch in Colchester to kit the place out.

‘Everyone should know about this!,’ she captioned the video, which has racked up over 100,000 views. ‘Can also say I spent hours in here.’

In the clip, Haylii’s wanders around the giant warehouse packed with discounted furniture, telling the camera: ‘There is everything here – so many sofas, lights, lamps.’

Among the plethora of items on sale, she points out a minimalist white coffee table for £35, another for £45, and a TV stand priced at £49. In comparison, Ikea only has two coffee tables available for less than £50.

These aren’t just one-off items like in a charity shop or thrift store either, as Furniture Outlet sells sets of matching furniture, with items slashed from more than £700 down to £300.

Based on Haylii’s video, sofas seem to be around the £500 mark, while a dining table or a set of two matching chairs cost £129 each.

And the bargains don’t stop there, with the content creator picking out a gorgeous charcoal bedside table at just £39 alongside white wardrobes and cabinets for £119.

‘I love them,’ she comments. ‘Definitely gives the Ikea Pax wardrobes but without the price.’

Like at the Swedish retailer, everything available in Furniture Outlet stores can be taken home that same day, but the company also offers local delivery.

Where is Furniture Outlet?

While Haylii visited the Colchester branch of Furniture Outlet, which opened in May last year, there are a selection of others throughout the South East that might be closer to home for you.

The retailer – which keeps costs down by partnering directly with major manufacturers – currently has four locations throughout Essex, with Dagenham being the closest to London

However, this month the company will be opening another store in Charlton, near Greenwich, so it’ll be easier than ever for citydwellers to get their hands on the buys.

While you can also order online, it’s worth checking if you’re eligible for delivery before checking out, as only certain postcodes local to each warehouse are covered.

Is Furniture Outlet worth a visit?

Haylii certainly recommended the retailer, calling it ‘bl**dy brilliant’ and ‘a slay’.

Others in the comments agreed too, including @tahminaa_awais who said, ‘This store is amazing,’ and @_holliegracex who added: ‘This is insane for prices.’

When it came to Google reviews the outlet received similar praise, with one customer writing: ‘Reasonable prices and large collection. Better than other furniture shops.’

‘Absolutely incredible,’ said another, in particular for its ‘fabulous’ quality products.

As with any outlet store, there’s no guarantee you’ll find what you’re looking for – especially since new stock comes in daily here. If you’re prepared to take that risk and love a good bargain though, Furniture Outlet could end up being your new favourite treasure trove.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Uniqlo sent shoppers into total meltdown when it launched the cult Round Mini Shoulder Bag, which we all (me included) still rely on day in and day out. 

The fashion house has released a variety of other iterations of the cross body bag, including additional colours, as well as a larger quilted version, but there is a new accessory on the block that is bigger and better than the original. 

Uniqlo has created the Uniqlo Multi Pocket Shoulder Bag, which is equally as versatile, if not more so than the original design. 

Uniqlo Multi Pocket Shoulder Bag

The Multi-Pocket Shoulder Bag is a rectangular shaped bag, which boasts two front pockets, as well as a large compartment, all of which can be fastened with zips.It also features a side slip pocket, and a separate slip pocket inside the main area.It features an adjustable strap that can extend from 61cm to 115cm, so you can wear over the shoulder, or across the body. Available in black or khaki green.

BUY NOW FOR £24.90

The Multi Pocket Shoulder Bag does what it says on the tin – it features numerous pockets to house your valuables in specific compartments, which the original design lacked. This bag features two front pockets, as well as a main compartment, with a slip pocket inside, as well as a separate external side pocket. 

The two front square pockets are ideal to keep your keys, or any other items you want immediate access to, while the side pocket can house a water bottle, or umbrella. The inside is big enough to house a kindle, ipad, laptop or book, because it is bigger than the Round Mini Shoulder Bag. 

The bag measures 26.5cm in height, 11cm in depth, and 33.5cm in width, plus it can hold up to 13 litres, which is quite impressive. The original design measures 17cm in height, 10cm in depth and 28cm in width, plus it only holds four litres. So it’s safe to say the Multi-Pocket Bag is ideal for those who pack a lot on them day to day. 

What I love most is the newer version is a rectangular shape, which makes it easier to fit other square items inside, whereas the ends of a paperback book would bend in my Round Shoulder Bag. 

The shoulder strap on the Multi Pocket Shoulder Bag can extend from 61cm to 115cm, so you can secure it tight over your shoulder, loosen it up to wear as a tote bag, or style across the body. 

Made from polyamide, this bag is super durable, like the original Unqilo crossbody bag.  Plus, it is unisex, and super affordable. 

Currently it is only available in black and khaki green, but the same happened with previous designs, and Uniqlo expanded the collection to meet popular demand.  So, can we expect the same for the Uniqlo bag? 

The Multi Pocket Shoulder Bag has amassed glowing reviews from shoppers already. 

One commented: ‘Lots of pockets. Very spacious yet compact. Nice for the day to day carry-on.’

Another praised: ‘The perfect size and quality. The pockets fits everything perfectly, including my MacBook.’

While a third added: ‘Perfect for bringing both lunch and a water bottle to work and a lot of other necessities!’

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Ninja is the place to shop for a whole host of food gadgets and gizmos that will stand the test of time, and, more importantly, make cooking an absolute breeze. 

We know Air Fryers are loved by many, and raved about. While there is now a wide variety of Air Fryers to shop, have you ever seen a portable design? Neither had we, until we stumbled across Ninja’s CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer. 

This multifunctional, and portable, air fryer functions the same way as the trusted air fryers we have lusted after for years, but this Ninja creation has been made from glass so you can watch your food crisp, and take it on the go when it’s cooked. Our mind has been blown! 

Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer

This Air Fryer helps to air fry, roast, crisp, dehydrate and reheat any ingredients, while using less oil. Instead of a pull out drawer, the Air Fryer mechanism sits on top of glass cookware, which are thermal-shock resistant. The glassware means you can watch your food cook, but the material can withstand the cooking temperatures, safe for freezing and suitable for the dishwasher, plus it turns into a portable tupperware to take your food to go. The main head features pre-programmed settings, as well as the option to set the timer. The set includes a 1.4L and 3.8L glassware, two non-stick crisper plates, storage lids, and the PowerPod adaptor. The Power Pod plugs into the mains, and is compact to take on the go.Available in three colours.

BUY NOW FOR £179.99

The Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer is a versatile and compact kitchen appliance you will never be without. 

Not only is the kitchen appliance compact enough to take on the go, whether you are heading on a staycation, or to visit a relative, but the fact it cooks your feast in thermal-shock resistant glassware, which you can detach from the main PowerPod, attach a lid, and eat whenever you choose. 

Like most air fryers, Ninja’s design can bake, roast, fry, dehydrate and reheat any ingredients up to 185 degrees. 

What’s included with the Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer?

The set includes two glassware containers, which measure 1.4 litres and  3.8 litres, two non-stick crisper plates, storage lids, as well as a PowerPod Adaptor. The glass containers are large enough to cook a large family, and fit a whole chicken in. 

The main PowerPod features four pre-programmed settings, Roast, Air Fry, Recrisp, and Keep Warm, plus you can adjust the timing to suit your cooking preferences. 

The Air Fryer is powered by a mains supply, so you can use in your home, but also take it with you on the go too, as long as there is a mains you can plug it into. 

Using the Ninja Crispi is straightforward. Begin by selecting the appropriate glass container based on the quantity of food you plan to cook. Place the food inside the chosen container, ensuring not to overcrowd it, and to allow proper air circulation. Attach the Crispi PowerPod securely on top of the container. Plug in the appliance, select the desired cooking function, set the appropriate time and temperature, and let it do all the hard work. Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully remove the PowerPod and serve the food directly from the glass container.

Not only is the glassware thermal-shock resistant and can tolerate high temperatures, but it is also safe to store in the freezer, and clean in the dishwasher. Safe to say, Ninja has created the most fuss-free kitchen appliance yet. 

What we love is the design and functionality of this creation. The transparent glass containers allow budding chefs to monitor the cooking process, adding to its user-friendly design. 

The CRISPi Air Fryer measures 34.5cm in height, 30.4cm in width and 34cm in depth. The glassware is detachable, which means the PowerPod head is compact to store away when not in use, especially for those limited on kitchen space. 

Ninja shoppers can’t get enough of this device, which has received an average rating of 4.3 out of five stars.

One happy shopper, who goes under the name Kel41, commented: ‘Great product, takes up very little room too. Everything cooks so easily. Chicken remained juicy. Really quick and easy to use.’

Another shopper, Trace, gushed: ‘Received this little Ninja Crispi, and have to say it’s so easy to use. It doesn’t take up a lot of room in the kitchen, which is great. I love Ninja and have some other products. cooks food great and yes crispy! love love love it, Thank you.’

While a separate customer added: ‘After using the Ninja Crispi for four weeks, I’ve found it to be a really useful and space-saving addition to our kitchen. The glass baskets are a winner for me, letting you see your food as it cooks and the fact leftovers can also be stored in those is a great idea. I also found it easier to clean than our existing Ninja dual basket air fryer. The other big positive is how simple it is to use. It has just four settings: Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp. There isn’t a temperature setting you can adjust, which did concern me a little at first as I tend to tweak the temperature on our other air fryer but it seems to know what it is doing. Special mention goes to the great results I’ve had with Recrisp for things like leftover pizza – works brilliantly.’

It’s available in three colours, including blue, stone and sage green, which will complement any kitchen interiors. 

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Sabrina Carpenter’s bold embrace of sexual confidence is empowering young fans, but with rising STI rates and declining condom use, it’s clear that while sex talk is growing, safe sex practices need more attention.

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tonies® are the most sought after gift for children for both playtime and nighttime, though there is no denying parents are relieved the Toniebox exists. 

If you’re not familiar with tonies®, you need to be. In short, the Toniebox is a musical story box, or a speaker, which connects to one of the Tonies characters and plays the songs, or stories from that film, book or show. 

The Toniebox is a great alternative to get the kids away from the screens, and is a welcome alternative to reading books to your child at bedtime. 

There are a variety of characters to attach to the Toniebox already, including Moana, The Lion King, Frozen, The Peter Rabbit Collection, as well as Peppa Pig, IgglePiggle and many more. 

tonies® Sleepy Whale – Lullabies from the Ocean

Sleepy Friends are created with dreamy bedtime routines in mind, and Sleepy Whale is no exception. Pop him on their Toniebox and you’re all set for just over two hours of calming ocean sounds and lullabies designed to quieten your little snoozer’s thoughts, calm their bodies and send them off to sleep in a blink.

Buy Now for £14.99

tonies® has expanded its collection with the new Sleepy Friends collection, which is perfectly timed as World Sleep Day falls on 14 March, just days before the clocks go forward on 30th March and we lose one hour. This may not seem like much, but the time change could disrupt your children’s sleep routine, and nobody wants that.

The new Sleepy Friends collection includes Sleepy Whale, Sleepy Penguin and Sleepy Octopus, all of which have been hand-painted for a delicate finish, and resemble sleeping animals – hence the name.

The trio of Sleepy Friends have been designed to help with bedtime, as they play sleepy lullabies, gentle white noise, and bedtime stories to comfort any child and soothe them off to sleep. 

There’s also a new Sleepy Bear Night Light that provides a warm soft glow, on and off the Toniebox. When fixed to the top of the Toniebox, it plays 75 minutes of relaxing instrumental music featuring strings and bird songs, providing reassurance through the night.

The Tonies retail for £14.99 each, though Boots currently has a discount on, which saves shoppers 15% off their order when they spend over £40. All you have to do is enter the discount code ‘BABY15’ at the checkout. 

However, the Toniebox is sold separately, so, if you don’t have the Toniebox you will need to purchase one for £79.99. But it is well worth investing in as it is padded, so extra durable, especially if little hands accidentally drop it on the floor. 

The Toniebox requires you to press the ears to change the volume, or tap the sides to switch to the next story, or song.  To simply fast forward, or rewind, just tilt the Toniebox in the direction, which makes for a more interactive experience. 

tonies® has proved to be a hit, and I can vouch for them as my nieces will spend hours singing and dancing to the Disney Princesses, and fall asleep to the slower bedtime stories. I’m sure they will love the Sleepy Friends collection too, especially as it has proved to be successful with fellow shoppers. 

One customer, who goes under the name Ellbm, gushed: ‘I got this a few weeks ago and it’s a godsend! I put it on every nap time and bed time for my son. It plays for around 2.5 hrs and it sends my little one off to sleep. One of my favourite Tonies.’

Another added: ‘This is what my little one listens to almost every night to go to sleep. So soothing.’

While a separate shopper praised: ‘Perfect for my daughter who struggles to get off to sleep straight away. Every night for the past seven nights she’s gone to sleep thanks to this lovely sheep! Definitely recommend this Tonie. All the songs are calming and relaxing.’

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The first thing that happens is a feeling of déjà vu.

I get tingling sensations throughout my body, and it feels like I am slowly being mentally separated from it.

This feeling is also called an aura – and it is one of the first signs that I am about to have a focal epileptic seizure. 

Next, it feels like a large wave is washing over me and pushing me down into an underwater cave. At this point, I am aware that a seizure is about to occur but there is such a small window of time before its onset that I have rarely been able to notify anyone.

Instead, I often freeze or let my body enter an autopilot state.

I am still physically conscious when I enter the seizure but mentally I am absent, and I cannot make sense of or respond to anything around me. My eyes are wide open, but my vision is blurred, as though my glasses have been washed off, and all noise becomes merged or silenced. 

For Sarah

Last year, on March 10, we lost our beloved colleague Sarah Whiteley. Sarah was a fantastic journalist; she was Metro’s parenting columnist and a valued member of our first-person and opinion desk.

Sarah died aged 39 from SUDEP – sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. It is thought that every year around 1,000 people die from causes related to epilepsy.

With support from Sarah’s family, Metro is fundraising for two very important charities: SUDEP Action and Epilepsy Action.

From March 10 to March 26, which marks Purple Day (epilepsy awareness day), we will be running a series of features and first-person pieces, raising awareness of epilepsy and SUDEP.

Sarah was so incredible at helping other people share their experiences; she was a born storyteller and we hope to do her proud with this series, while raising money in her memory.

From here, the seizure transforms into what I call a ‘hallucinogenic’ nightmare, as though I am trapped in that cave and have all my worst fears presented to me. When in this state my right arm and neck often shake and I start to sweat profusely, almost as though my body is trying to respond to what it thinks it is seeing. 

This usually goes on for at least two minutes.

To a stranger my seizures would often go unnoticed – I have been told countless times that I look as though I am daydreaming. It is only those who I am close with (family, fiancé and friends) that know when I am having one.

When coming around, I feel exhausted and dazed, as though I have just run a marathon; I struggle to focus on anything and I am unable to speak – almost like a cable has been cut between my brain and voice box, and my body is trying to reassociate itself with my mind. 

These sensations can last for up to an hour and consequently, I often have to sleep to recover.

I was diagnosed with temporal lobe focal epilepsy in the summer of 2016, when I was 19. I had just completed my A-levels and had been granted a place at university for a degree in veterinary medicine, as well as my provisional license to start learning to drive.

I first began noticing these ‘hallucinations’ in early 2015 – I cannot remember when I had my first one, but I distinctly recall having them during daily activities, mostly when exercising.

Then in December 2015, I had an MRI scan prior to a planned ear operation that revealed I had an atrioventricular malformation (AVM) in my left temporal lobe – but there was no mention of it being linked to epilepsy until I was referred to neurology.

My referral led to more scans and neurology consultations, where it was explained to me that my daily ‘hallucinations’ were in fact focal epileptic seizures, and that they likely stemmed from my AVM. 

This came as quite a surprise – and a huge learning curve. I had only heard of tonic-clonic seizures (where people stiffen, fall the floor and shake) and knew nothing of focal seizures, despite the fact I’d been having them on a daily basis since earlier that year.

The most challenging aspect of my diagnosis was that all of what I had worked so hard to achieve, such as attending university to study veterinary medicine, came to a grinding halt. I felt angry and scared that my independence and lifelong dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon were being taken away from me. 

Even after taking a gap year to try to get my seizures under control with anti-epileptic medication, I was prevented from starting the veterinary degree on medical grounds.

It took me a few years to accept my epilepsy diagnosis, but I eventually decided to return to biological sciences, completing a degree in it at a different university and specialising in animal biology and conservation.

It was during my degree program and the course of the pandemic that I began to fully accept my condition for what it was. I had finally found something I had a passion for and a supportive network of friends and family.

I also managed to get a pinch of my independence back.

But my inability to drive has hindered me most – I have to consider public transport routes or rely on other people when making plans or getting to work. It’s not easy for me to go where I want, when I want to.

Over time, I built the confidence to be able to go out on my own – whether it’s to walk the dog, pop to the local shop or out into the city, knowing I am unlikely to have a seizure.

It was during this time I met my fiancé who helped me maintain a positive outlook on life.

He also encouraged me to go forward with gamma knife radiotherapy to help treat my AVM. The treatment was put forward to me in 2021 as an option to remove the AVM with the ultimate aim of reducing my heightened risk of a stroke.

Roll forward to the present day and, having undertaken only one treatment of gamma knife radiotherapy in September 2022, I now not only have no AVM, but I also have the stroke risk of a normal human-being.

I continue to take medication intended to treat focal epilepsy – but it’s been a tedious process. Since my diagnosis, I have tried over five different anti-epileptic medications and after going back and forth with my neurology team, I was able to finally settle on my current medication and their doses at the start of 2024.

Earlier doses didn’t completely stop my seizures and came with a whole host of uninvited side effects, including depression, fatigue and memory loss.

At first I struggled to carry out daily tasks as simple as getting out of bed or brushing my teeth.

But while the drugs still affect me now, I have strategies in place to help reduce their impact, such as setting small daily goals, journaling feelings and taking photos of moments I wish to remember.

With the gamma knife radiotherapy and correct medication, I am now one-year seizure free, which means I have many exciting prospects for my life going forward, such as starting a family with my fiancé.

Having epilepsy has had many positive impacts on my life. It has taught me resilience, patience and perseverance. 

Since diagnosis, I have solo travelled to multiple countries, volunteered in research and conservation projects, hiked many mountains, graduated with a first in biology and so much more.

It all required additional precautions – medical insurance, seeking help or advice where needed – but I have learnt that having a disability does not stop you from achieving great things, so long as you set your mind to it and surround yourself with those who will cheer you on.

My condition can feel quite lonely as the majority of people don’t know of or understand focal epilepsy and the seizures it presents – they are much more subtle than tonic-clonic seizures and not as readily identifiable. 

The dramatic way epilepsy is presented in the television and media also means there is also a lot of fear and stigma. I wish people knew more about the variety of forms of epilepsy and the types of seizures, alongside a better understanding of the side effects that can come with them.

Seizures are, in my opinion, only 10% of what it is to have epilepsy. The side effects of medication and seizures, and loss of independence, make up the remaining 90%. You have to shape how you live around your diagnosis.

Going forward, I hope that I continue to remain seizure-free and continue regaining some of the independence I lost – I am hoping I can return to my root desire to be in the veterinary field by progressing into a career in veterinary nursing. 

I know I shall continue to face challenges, especially with the side effects of my anti-epileptic medication.

However, I know that with perseverance and patience, I can achieve what I plan to, and they are just small hurdles I have to jump to get to my end goal.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk. 

Share your views in the comments below.

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The sun is shining, the sky is blue, the birds are chirping, and it is staying light for longer, which means spring is here and summer is on the way. 

If you’re anything like us you may have found you are being beckoned by the sunshine to enjoy the outdoors lately, and the best way to do so is in a comfortable hanging egg chair. 

Egg chairs have been hugely popular in recent years, and the hype around the garden furniture is not going away any time soon. In fact, we’d say the popular seat is growing in popularity even more so.If you are looking to spruce up your garden, patio, or balcony, there is only one thing for it – Dunelm’s Santorini Egg Chair, which is giving us major The White Lotus vibes.

Santorini Egg Chair

The one seater has been crafted from a sturdy steel frame, with woven rattan detail, which is weather resistant. The chair hangs off the main chassis, and only one person can cocoon inside at a time. It measures 118cm in width, 121cm in depth and 188cm in height. Available in four colours, including jade green, ginger orange, pastel blue and multicolour. Requires full assembling.

BUY NOW FOR £249

The Santorini Egg Chair is Dunelm’s cult egg chair, which is finally back due to popular demand. 

The hanging design is curved like a cocoon, which makes for the perfect outdoor snug to read a book in on a balmy summer’s day. 

The frame has been crafted from powder-coated steel, while the woven rattan texture is durable to hold one person – plus it looks super stylish. 

Dunelm is one step ahead of the curve, and is well aware the British weather is temperamental, which is why the materials used are weather resistant. Though we would advise you to cover the egg chair in the winter season just to protect the creation from wearing and fading. 

Dunelm’s Santorini Egg Chair is available in four colours to suit any outdoor colour scheme, including pale blue, jade green, ginger orange and a vibrant multi-colour version. 

It is also important to note this egg chair arrives as a flat pack and requires assembling. 

The Santorini Egg Chair is a new arrival, so customers have yet to provide feedback on the item, though one shopper was quick off the mark to nab this design and was very impressed. 

One Dunelm shopper, who goes under the name Wobbly Mammoth, shared: ‘Lovely chair, it’s comfy with a nice bounce to it – the cushion is just right and really helpful to have arms to it. There were some chips in the paint on the stand, which is very heavy (as you’d hope). It’s quite tricky to put the actual egg part together, it looks like there is more wiggle room between bolts joining the two halves than there is. Just waiting for warmer weather to put it outside. Hardest part was choosing a colour.’

If previous years are anything to go by Dunelm’s Egg Chair will fly off the shelves, so you will want to shop quickly.

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