Ania Hough woke up on Christmas morning to find her son Jamie had a headache, so she suggested a walk to get some fresh air. Then he began struggling to lift his leg.

‘He woke up jumping on the bed, and opened presents,’ Ania recalls.

‘We went downstairs, and he said he had a headache, so I gave him some medicine.

‘I thought the fresh air might help, so we put our boots on and headed out for a Christmas morning walk.’

But eight-year-old Jamie’s headache didn’t go away, and he started to complain about his jaw hurting near his ear, which had never happened before.

‘As we started walking back, he started to drag his leg,’ she adds. ‘I told him to stop being silly and to walk properly, but he told me he was.’

It was in that moment Ania knew something was seriously wrong, and the next day, December 26, 2023, Jamie would undergo a gruelling 12-hour surgery to remove a cancerous brain tumour.

Her son’s headaches had been the first warning sign, and the mum-of-two is now encouraging parents to push for scans if their child has Jamie’s symptoms.

The first time Jamie, now 10, complained of a headache was in October 2023, and it made him sick.

Initially, Ania, 42, thought he’d picked up a school sickness bug, but after calling 111 she took him to A&E at Maidstone Hospital in Kent.

She claims her son wasn’t offered tests or scans, and his symptoms were put down to dehydration from the stomach bug.

‘His headaches got worse and more often, they were daily,’ Ania, from Staplehurst, Kent, explains.

She took Jamie to a GP where she claims she was told he was suffering from migraines. So, over the next two months, Ania gave him Calpol to ease his pain while they waited for a hospital referral letter from a neurologist, which she claims never arrived.

When Christmas day came, and Jamie couldn’t walk properly, she took matters into her own hands.

‘As we walked to the car, he threw up and then dozed off on the way to A&E,’ she says. When they arrived at the hospital, Jamie finally got his CT scan, which revealed abnormal brain activity.

He was quickly transferred to King’s College Hospital in London to undergo brain surgery on Boxing Day.

Biopsy results showed he had a 6cm by 5cm cancerous brain tumour called choroid plexus carcinoma – a high-grade, fast-growing brain tumour that mostly grows in one-year-olds. The first symptom of this cancer is pressure headaches that usually occur in the morning.

‘It was a bit of a Christmas miracle they did the CT scan,’ Ania says. ‘When we ended up being transferred to another hospital, the neurosurgeon said it was a matter of hours [to be able to save him].

‘If Jamie hadn’t gotten there when he did, they wouldn’t have been able to help him, as the tumour was creating massive pressure in his brain.

‘It was swelling, and there was a cyst growing out of it – it would have caused too much damage.’

Ania admits it’s the ‘scariest Christmas they’ve ever had’, but she’s ‘grateful’ she took her family out on that walk that morning.

It meant doctors caught his cancer just in time, and Jamie underwent a second 12-hour operation on his brain to have the rest of the tumour removed on January 12, 2024.

He also had two other surgeries to have a drain and then a shunt fitted to help drain excess fluid from his brain, before being discharged from the hospital.

He then underwent 30 sessions of proton beam therapy and six rounds of chemotherapy, finishing the last treatment on September 29, 2024, before getting the official all-clear in November.

The family have celebrated two Christmases since, and Ania has been able to watch her son continue to write letters to Santa.

Now she wants other parents to advocate for their children if they are experiencing daily headaches and get them checked out.

‘As a parent, if your child is suffering from headaches, push for a CT or some kind of scan,’ Ania says. ‘I’m grateful Jamie is good, and I’m grateful for the junior doctor [who helped him], but I’m aware the outcome could have been very different.

‘I think the hospital messed up with Jamie and should have done more on our first visit. It wouldn’t have saved him from the diagnosis of cancer but the tumour was growing, and they could have caught it earlier.

‘If they had, maybe he would have only had one surgery instead of four and wouldn’t have ended up with a shunt.’

A Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS trust spokesperson says: ‘We are very pleased to hear Jamie is doing well following treatment. While we can’t discuss individual cases, patient safety and high-quality care are always our top priorities.

‘Our clinicians look carefully at a patient’s symptoms and decide whether tests are needed, and which ones will provide the clearest answers. CT scans aren’t always undertaken straight away because we have to balance the benefits with the risks of radiation.

‘If anyone has worries about their care, we encourage them to get in touch so our teams can review their treatment and offer support.’

Ania praises the Lennox Children’s Cancer Fund for the continuous support they have shown her family through Jamie’s cancer journey and after treatment, but ultimately, her choices as a mother on Christmas Day saved his life.

‘It was hard to go on the walk that day with him,’ she says. ‘But it was meant to be the way it was, and I’m grateful we decided to do it.’

Do you have a story to share?

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

The post-Christmas lull – also known as Twixmas – is something of a no man’s land.

With the exception of New Year’s Eve, the continuation of family arguments, and the near-constant snacking on cheese, chocolate, and anything left over from the big day, the festivities are largely over. And so, there’s a huge gap in the calendar until normality resumes on January 5.

If you work a job that permits time off for this week, you might spend it wrapped up with a book, catching up on TV, or even finding quiet moments to decompress alone. But the overwhelmingly implied instruction is to do nothing at all – and for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), that can be challenging.

I was diagnosed with ADHD in November 2021, at the age of 23. A neurological condition that fits under the neurodiversity umbrella, ADHD is a developmental impairment of the brain’s executive functions that can cause struggles with impulse control, focus, organisation, emotional regulation, and various other symptoms.

My relationship with Twixmas is complicated. By the end of the year, I’m usually running on very little steam and in desperate need of a proper break. I’m burned out and in need of breathing space, but accomplishing that with a brain that is often characterised by both mental and physical restlessness is always an uphill struggle.

I always feel pressured to really soak up the nothingness that Twixmas can provide. And yet, every single year, I begin January often as burned out and exhausted as I began, simply because I couldn’t get my brain to quieten, even if I have managed to take a break from work.

I’m not alone. Nikki was diagnosed with both ADHD and autism in her mid-40s, and she also finds the festive period challenging.

‘I find the change in my routine increases my anxiety, making it even harder to embrace the festivities,’ she tells Metro.

‘Before my diagnosis, I used to end up tearful over Christmas, overstimulated and overwhelmed, and desperate to find some quiet time.’

Her diagnosis has empowered her to channel experiences that work for her during Twixmas, and so from now on, she’ll be focusing on activities she enjoys – like jewellery-making and sewing – rather than implementing a complete shut-down.

Similarly, James finds his brain is still buzzing with thoughts and plans during Twixmas.

He says: ‘My brain’s always on the go. It’s like having a bunch of open tabs, and even when I try to close a few, there’s always one or two that refuse to shut down.

‘What I’ve come to appreciate, though, is the small victories. Maybe I can’t switch off entirely, but I’ve learned to find joy in those quiet moments.

‘Whether it’s reading a book for 10 minutes without getting distracted or simply savouring a cup of tea without my thoughts racing, those moments count.’ 

So, why might people with ADHD find it difficult to unwind during Twixmas?

Kate Moryoussef, host of the ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, notes that people with ADHD might find the downtime that comes with this time of year ‘dysregulating.’

She explains: ‘Sometimes, even though we’re on the cusp of burnout, we’re used to living with this perpetual state of our nervous system just being on.

‘When we’re told that we need just to do nothing and our routine goes out the window, it can feel discombobulating and a bit dysregulating.

‘It’s hard for us when we haven’t got that dopamine, when we aren’t in and out of our meetings, driving to work and having time to decompress from family life,’ she adds, noting that having a house overflowing with guests and potentially some family members who might be triggering, comprises an extra layer of difficulty.

Importantly, people with ADHD might approach the festive season in a different way than most. Some of us might choose not to have any plans (particularly during the post-Christmas lull) at all.

‘The festive period can trigger intense experiences of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and comparisons to others,’ Leanne Maskell, an ADHD coach and the founder of ADHD Works, suggests.

‘This can also result in excessive masking as we may feel pressure to present “acceptable” versions of ourselves to others,’ she adds, noting that this aspect might be heightened amid intermittent nationwide shortages of certain ADHD medications that have left thousands struggling.

‘Carve out time for decompression’

So, how can people with ADHD unwind over the Christmas break? Firstly, ensure you schedule time for yourself.

‘Make sure that you carve time out for decompression,’ Kate suggests. ‘Watch where you’re dopamine seeking, perhaps with alcohol, and be as self-aware and intentional as you can.’

For Peter Shankman, entrepreneur and author of Faster Than Normal: Turbocharge Your Focus, Productivity, and Success with the Secrets of the ADHD Brain, taking a break from technology is fundamental.

‘Forgetting” about my tech means leaving the phone and the laptop in the other room when I’m doing something with my daughter or family. If it’s not there, I don’t feel the need to look at it every twenty seconds. Simple, but it works,’ he shares.

Likewise, he makes sure to prioritise exercise – and either gets on his Peloton or goes for a run every morning. This is one routine he makes sure to keep amid all the upheaval that comes with Twixmas, and it allows him to gather as much dopamine as possible.

‘When I don’t work out, I’m not as “present,” and I fall back into my usual “sit in front of my computer and work non-stop” mode,’ he explains.

‘So making sure I exercise allows my brain to come up with different ways to be present, whether for a holiday event, or even just a movie on a random Tuesday during the two weeks my ten-year-old daughter has off.’

Recognising your own emotions and showing some self-compassion can also go a long way.

‘Communicating with others about how you’re feeling can also be especially helpful to have someone to ask for help and support throughout this period. It can also be very validating to connect with other neurodivergent people and realise that you are not alone,’ Leanne adds.

Ultimately, navigating the post-Christmas lull as a neurodivergent person should be about doing what works best for you.

‘Even though society tells us that it needs to be one way, we need to do what works for us and what feels good to us,’ Kate concludes.

‘If that is taking yourself off for a walk or a drive, then that’s okay. If you’ve had a day where the end of it, it just feels like you’re climbing the walls and you’ve not had a breather, what can you change the next day? What can you put in place as a prevention and how can you ask for help?’

This Twixmas, let’s understand that rest isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. The blueprint of ‘rest and relaxation’ that is part and parcel of the post-Christmas lull doesn’t work for everyone, particularly not for neurodivergent people.

So, let’s reclaim it – and reinvent it into whatever we’d like it, and need it, to be.

This article was originally published on December 27, 2023.

Do you have a story to share?

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

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

Christmas has come and gone as quickly as it always does, which means it’s now on to the next event, New Year’s Eve.

There can be a lot of stress around what to do and where to go, however, one plan that will never let you down is a chic dinner party or gathering with your nearest and dearest.

When it comes to hosting, the stress can suddenly build. Not only do you have to think about food and drink, but you’ve also go to think of decorations and how you’ll dress the space.

You don’t have to splash out loads of money on this. You can find great, simple pieces for affordable prices that will immediately dress up the space and have you looking like the hostess with the mostess.

Thankfully Dunelm is here to save the day with their new in items that will make hosting duties a lot easier, and gain you multiple compliments. Whether you’re on the hunt for serving plates, new glassware, or fragrances for the home, the retailer has it all and more.

Best of Metro Deals

Get exclusive discounts with Metro Deals – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher

Bannatyne Spa
Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.

Get deal now

Other deals

Mystery Escape
Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.

Get deal now

Beach Retreat (Lanzarote)
4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.

Get deal now

UK Getaway
4* Radisson Blu Durham stay with breakfast, spa access & late checkout — save 60% off.

Get deal now

Drive Supercars
 3–12 lap supercar driving experiences from £16.99 — save up to 65%. 

Get deal now

Shop The Best Hosting Items From Dunelm:

Caso IceChef Compact Ice Cube Maker

When it comes to hosting, you never want to run out of ice for your guests. Remove that worry by keeping the good times (and cold drinks) flowing with this sleek little ice maker that’s ready to churn out cubes on demand.

This nifty little machine makes fresh cubes in as little as 6 minutes whenever you need them so no drink needs to go warm.

Buy Now for £120

Sofia Drinks Trolley

Have surfaces empty and clean to keep them looking nice and tidy by putting the drink offerings on a snazzy trolley. Add a statement feature to the space with this Art Deco style option that will add a touch of elegance to the room.

It comes with two shelves so you can store your bottles and glassware away whilst leaving the top available to get drinks flowing.

Buy Now for £69

RCR Crystal Set of 6 Timeless Flutes

Cheers to the new year in effortless style with this set of six champagne flutes perfect for popping open prosecco, champagne or your favourite fizzy tipple.

Classic and elegant in design with clever detailing, they look great on the table but are tough enough for everyday use – and yes, they’re dishwasher safe too.

Buy Now for £38

Sophie Robinson Beaded Table Runner

You don’t need to remove the traces of Christmas, so keep the festive fun going with a playful table runner from interior designer Sophie Robinson.

The cracker-inpsired design is around a meter long and features a decorative hand beaded pattern that instantly adds charm, fun and extra sparkle to your celebrations – because there’s no such thing as too much sparkle on New Year’s.

Buy Now for £45

Farberware Bamboo Snack Serving Board

Take your New Year’s Eve spread up a level without the fuss with a bamboo snack serving board that is perfect for laying out all the nibbles – think the ultimate charcuterie platter with cheeses, dips, olives, crackers and meat.

Snap on the accompanying lid to keep all of your hard work fresh for longer so you can ring in 2026 with minimal stress.

Buy Now

Eleanor Bowmer Electric Coast Pack of 4 Icon Napkins

Add a pop of personality to your tablescape with this set of four quirky printed napkins from Eleanor Bowmer’s Electric Coast collection.

Each one features a hand-drawn symbol including a palm tree, lips, an eye, and the sun, that adds a punchy energetic upgrade to your party spread. Made from 100% cotton and machine-washable, they’re perfect for wiping up cocktail spills or stacking beside plates.

Buy Now for £28

Dance Velvet Rectangle Cushion

Give your party space an instant style upgrade with this plush velvet cushion with a jazzy print.

Soft to the touch and bold on personality, it’s ideal for making sofas and floor seating extra cosy as guests mingle and countdown to midnight. All you need to do is create the perfect playlist to accompany it.

Buy Now for £24

Mimosa & Cardamom Diffuser

Set the celebratory mood before guest arrive and the glasses start clinking with this Mimosa & Cardamom diffuser. Bright, zesty notes of mimosa meet warm spice for a scent that feels fresh and festive.

Pop it by the front door or living room to welcome guests with good vibes and great scents.

Buy Now for £20

Hestia Pebble Shaped Wax Melt Burner

A wax melt burner is a brilliant addition to the bathroom to keep for any unwanted odours overtaking.

Simply pop a tealight candle inside and choose an oil of your choice to fill the top bowl to continuously diffuse the space with it’s gorgeous aromas.

The sculpturall stone design allows it to easily blend into the background.

Buy Now for £10

Disco Fever Embroidered Framed Wall Art

Turn the volume up and get the party started with a piece of framed wall art that sets the tone for the evening.

With bold embroidery and a playful disco theme, it’s the perfect backdrop for your New Year’s Eve photos and adds instant fun to any room.

Buy Now for £30

Hestia Tall Gold Ribbon Candlestick Holder

Upgrade plain, boring candlestick holders with these dazzling decorative bow alternatives.

Slim, elegant and shimmering, it brings warm candlelight and a hint of glam to your NYE dinner or drinks corner – no fairy lights required.

Simply pair with taper candles and you’re ready for party time.

Buy Now for £12

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

MORE: Keep your home warm on a budget with this stylish £8 hack from Dunelm

MORE: Customers are raving about this Dunelm heated tool that costs 18p and gets your clothes dry in an hour

MORE: Dunelm are selling this clever winter must-have to dry your clothes fast that’s under £3

Three in 10 seeing not being able to cook as a ‘dealbreaker’ when considering whether they would date someone

The Duchess of Edinburgh oozed luxury in sumptuous knee-high boots and her largest hat of the season as she joined Prince Edward and King Charles at a church service at Sandringham on Sunday – photos.

Queen Mary of Denmark was a scene-stealer in knee-high Prada boots for a festive family outing to the Christmas Eve service at Copenhagen Cathedral, with her husband, King Frederik, and their four children, Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Princess Josephine, and Prince Vincent.

Victoria Beckham designed the bridesmaids’ dresses at Holly Ramsay’s wedding. Holly’s bridesmaids, including sister Tilly, wore the ‘Caped gathered crêpe satin gown’ by Victoria Beckham in red.

When I was diagnosed with incurable cancer in July last year, I was surprised by my reaction.

Instead of the panic, despair and tears you might expect of someone given a terminal diagnosis, I was nothing but calm. Shocked, but calm.

The reason for that, as it turns out, is because of one simple fact: I’m not actually scared of death.

In fact, I don’t see it as something to fear so much as it is something to acknowledge. A quiet reminder that life is precious precisely because it ends.

I haven’t always felt this way, of course. Growing up, my relationship with death was fleeting and intermittent at best and my first real encounter with it was when my beloved tabby cat, Tiger Lily, died when I was 12.

I was just at the stage when I understood that death was permanent, and I remember really feeling her loss deeply. I was allowed a day off school, a rare occurrence, and I cried all day.

I missed stroking her as she sat on my lap, a place she’d often be, but I was resigned to it. She had been ill, and so she died. It was the natural progression of things.

Then, when I was around 15, I suffered my first family bereavement – my grandmother, who I had lots of happy memories of baking with, died at the age of 83.

Her death was sudden so, of course, it was sad. However, as we were not overly emotional as a family, there was no dramatic weeping and wailing, just a quiet sadness for a life that was lost too soon.

And other than these occasions, death wasn’t a topic of conversation in my family. 

It wasn’t that it was taboo, just that the subject rarely came up. We had elderly relatives and friends of the family who had died, and funerals were attended, but I don’t remember any time when normal life stopped because of it.

As I grew older though, I began to shape my own view of the subject, mainly that I didn’t believe in an afterlife.

It’s not that I’m not religious – when my children were young, I spent a short time attending church, as I lived in a small village and the church was the hub of the community – but I’ve just never been convinced that we go somewhere when we die.

Sure, sending butterflies and robins as a sign is all very comforting, but it’s also a bit random.

And if ghosts really were a thing, I’m sure we have more evidence than a few dodgy photos and the occasional unexplained cold breeze that ‘came from nowhere’.

This realisation reaffirmed my belief that death will be just like going to sleep. I won’t know it’s happened, and so I’ll be none the wiser. I won’t be going anywhere after I die, so there will be no regrets, no missing anyone, no wondering if I’ll see anyone again.

However, I’m not so held in my beliefs that I’d be cross if I was proven wrong.

I’d love to find out, when I finally die, that there is a fabulously peaceful place we all go to. And if I was able to return in the form of a Red Admiral or Cabbage White butterfly to give my loved ones a sign that all is well, I’d jump at the chance. 

Of course, I never expected I might find out sooner than most.

On 2 July 2024, two months after finding a lump on my breast, and endless tests and scans, my oncologist told me my cancer was incurable.

‘The cancer has gone to your bones and I can’t cure it,’ he said calmly and carefully, giving me time to process.

My initial reaction was one of shock, not just for the diagnosis but that, actually, I wasn’t worried.

There was no drama, no panic, just calm acceptance. And, after a few days, I realised that all I could do was take the treatment offered, and just get on with making what’s left of my life count. 

I’m not wasting any more time and instead I’m focusing on doing all the things I’ve always wanted to do: Travelling, going back onto the stage, and becoming a TV extra being just a few.

I’m also happy to talk about my diagnosis, and death, which has led to a number of unusual conversations of late.

Following my diagnosis, I had a conversation with one friend who is terrified of death – so much so, she’s had to have therapy – she told me that the thought of not being in the world, just not existing, is what frightens her the most.

I asked her: ‘But surely, if you’re dead, you won’t know?’ This, she said, was the problem. Not knowing. Not being conscious.

I understand her fear, but don’t align with it. How can we be worried about not knowing, if we are not conscious?

Then, last month, I attended my aunt’s funeral. The day was full of memories, sadness and laughs, but I did not at any stage during the service worry that ‘this will be me soon’.

In fact, I found myself picking up some ideas for my own funeral, like photo slide shows, handing out roses and the sharing of memories, which were the loveliest parts of the service.

I’ve also made no secret of the fact that I don’t like euphemisms – ‘no longer with us’, ‘gone to a better place’ and the worst one…‘passed’. I can’t bear the pussyfooting about and wish people would realise you can say the word ‘died’ with compassion. That it is possible to explain that someone is ‘dead’ with sympathy.

I’ve given death a lot of thought over the last 18 months, so perhaps I’m more laidback about the subject because of that. But I’m convinced that if we talked about death more as a society, discussed it with friends and family, even joked about it, we’d remove some of the fear.

Perhaps if we were more open about it, and understood what death really means to us, there would be many more purposeful people in the world wanting to make the time they have on earth really count.

Because death is the one certainty in life. It will happen to all of us and in learning to face that truth, we give ourselves permission to live more fully, love more deeply, and let go a little easier.

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

Share your views in the comments below.

Alice Cooper can remembers being bent in half, lying down on the floor of a toilet cubicle at her office, with her hands wrapped around her stomach. Profusely sweating, she couldn’t move, while tears are streamed down her face, as she tried to stay as quiet as possible.

When the pain was just about manageable, Alice stood herself up, unlocked the door, and walked back out onto the office floor. To her colleagues, nothing had happened – and she never said a word, not wanting anyone to know what she’s going through because, in her mind, they wouldn’t understand. 

Like one in 10 women, Alice has endometriosis, meaning the tissue that lines her womb grows around other organs in the body. The debilitatingly painful disease can impact every aspect of life: sex, fertility, mental health -and work; those with the condition earn £130 less per month on average, and one in six give up their careers entirely. 

Alice admits that she has felt so guilty about taking days off due to the condition, that she ended up leaving jobs. ‘I’ve had to quit every role I’ve been in, four in total, until my current admin position,’ the 25-year-old tells Metro.

Nicole Bowler, 24, was diagnosed with the same condition last year and has also felt the impact. She just deferred teacher training for a year, as balancing study and work, with her ill health, became too difficult. ‘Being financially independent and having a job gave me purpose, so I’ve lost a lot of self-worth,’ she tells Metro. ‘Having so much taken out of my control has been extremely distressing.’

To improve circumstances, Nicole and Alice, along with many others, are pushing for menstrual leave in the UK for women with endometriosis or adenomyosis (a similar condition where the tissue grows inside the muscular wall of the womb).

A petition proposing that everyone with the conditions be offered three extra days of paid sick leave per month has reached 74,000 signatures.

The government responded in August, saying that it is understood that the conditions cause ‘difficulty and pain’, but they claim the Equality Act 2010 already sufficiently covers the needs. 

‘Endometriosis and adenomyosis can be classified as disabilities, and individuals with a disability are protected from discrimination, and their employer is required to make reasonable adjustments,’ they stated in an official reply.

However, Nicole says it’s been her who has been adapting, instead of the world, since her first ‘heavy, painful and tiring’ period aged 13. At the time, she was competitively swimming, training up to 26 hours per week with hopes of turning professional. 

‘On one residential swimming trip, I had to sit out of all the activities for three days, because I couldn’t go 45 minutes without having to change a super heavy tampon. I was so self-conscious back then, and felt so embarrassed when, on occasion, blood started dripping down my legs,’ she remembers.

In time, Nicole began to avoid training, especially with male coaches, who didn’t always understand why she needed to use the toilet often, before making the tough decision to leave the sport completely. 

When she began getting stabbing pains in her lower abdomen at 14, her mother realised how serious her ‘period pains’ were becoming and took her to see the doctors. ‘I changed as a person, because I didn’t have any of the energy that I used to have.’

A male GP remarked that it was just because she was a young girl, and that it was ‘part of being a woman’. ‘He even made a joke that “girls will do anything to get out of sport”,’ Nicole recalls.

In the years that followed, she made multiple appointments in an effort to get answers, and sadly, even hospital stays after A&E visits brought no long-term solutions.

Nicole felt continually dismissed. ‘I was thinking “Is it just me? Am I just being dramatic? Can I not handle pain?” because I was constantly told that this is normal, so I doubted myself,’ she says. ‘I get so down about everything.’

Alice had a similar experience, feeling ignored for years, despite extreme bleeding and pain. She tells Metro: ‘I’d always come on my period in the middle of the night, and I’d be in such agony that I was just trying to make it through to the next day. It would leave me absolutely shattered, and bleeding could be so bad that I’d leak through my tampon, pad, knickers and leggings in an hour. I’ve had to miss school growing up, and work as I’ve got older.’

The persistent problems meant that Nicole spent much time with her mum in Dewsbury, rather than with her friends at university in Manchester. She managed to graduate with a degree in journalism, but didn’t have the experience she had hoped for. After that, she began working full-time as a lifeguard.

‘There were multiple times when I had to call in sick. It kept being flagged to HR, so I’d have to attend meetings. The only reason I didn’t lose my job was due to a few understanding managers,’ Nicole says.

The disease takes, on average, around nine years to diagnose. The condition can only be found during surgery, as it doesn’t show up on scans, which can be part of the reason for a delay. For Nicole and Alice, it was around ten years after their first periods that they finally got confirmation of what they suspected.

‘I had to take a month off after the surgery, where they also lasered the endometriosis from my bowel and bladder. My workplace refused to phase my return, and could not provide any reasonable workplace adjustments like teaching from the side of the pool instead of in the water,’ Nicole, who was then working as a swimming teacher, says.

‘Not being able to work and being made to feel like I was being dramatic about it knocked my confidence and caused stress. I was scraping by each month, struggling to afford rent and bills due to not being paid while sick.’

After the recovery, she had six pain-free months and began training to be a school teacher, but symptoms rushed back.

Nicole now suffers from sciatica, pain in her ribs, back, and abdomen, and feels fatigue and nausea. Once again, she has had to take an enforced career break, so, unsurprisingly, feels passionate about the UK introducing the bill for menstrual leave, something already offered in Portugal and Spain. Such a change in law would ‘take some of the stress away’ and the regular rest could help Nicole recover from pain quicker, she explains.

‘It would finally acknowledge that it’s a painful, inflammatory, full-body, incurable disease, rather than just the time of the month,’ she adds.

‘Women’s health needs to be taken so much more seriously, but the government’s responses can feel robotic, disheartening and like a punch in the gut.

‘I can get statutory sick pay, but leave for endometriosis still goes down on my records, and taking off too many days can be a sackable offence. It’s scary; I’ve often feared losing my job.’

Alice recalls the awkward conversations she used to face at work. ‘I’d get questions like “Well, are you sure you can’t come in?” “Can you come in later?” “Have you taken painkillers?” I’ve gotten better at speaking about it now, but before, it was easier to go than have the conversation,’ she explains.

‘I felt silly telling bosses, as I worried they were looking down on me and thinking, “It’s a period, grow up.” As there’s not enough awareness, they think I just want time off. I didn’t feel taken seriously.’

Now, Alice feels that the conversation is finally changing and becoming more positive, which has empowered her to talk about it more with her current employer – although, she adds, there’s still a long way to go. One improvement she would like is more company flexibility on work-from-home days.

‘I’ve never really had that as an option, and it would make work so much more accessible for people with endometriosis. If someone can sit in their bed with a laptop, they can be comfortable, and going to the toilet often is easier,’ Alice explains. 

‘It is a chronic illness that needs more support,’ Nicole adds. ‘It’s very lonely taking time off, especially when no one gets it, so a law change would make me feel validated and supported.’

When a campaign reaches 100,000 signatures, there is an obligation to debate the proposal in parliament. If that happens, Alice wants MPs to know how life-changing it would be for women.

‘It’s not a small number of people that we’re talking about. So many women suffer with this, and it would be such a better quality of life. Dismissing it again and again isn’t what we need,’ she says.

‘Endometriosis is never going to be easy to live with, but it doesn’t have to be as hard as it is now.’

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

Share your views in the comments below.

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

You may have been lounging on your sofa for days in festive PJs accessorised with empty Quality Street wrappers, but New Year’s Eve is the perfect excuse to sparkle in a brand-new outfit. 

And if your bank balance is teetering dangerously close to the red after all that generous gift-giving, George at Asda has some amazing pieces at a total bargain.

First up is this Black Sparkle Bouclé Bow-Back Mini Dress, which features a gorgeous statement bow and shimmering bouclé fabric that keeps things effortlessly festive. The Black Sleeveless Organza Hem Crew Neck Mini Dress has a softly flared organza hem, and the dropped-waist silhouette skims effortlessly over the body for a flattering fit.

‘Truly beautiful, just what I need for my ship trip,’ one customer said.

Best of Metro Deals

Get exclusive discounts with Metro Deals – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher

Bannatyne Spa
Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.

Get deal now

Other deals

Mystery Escape
Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.

Get deal now

Beach Retreat (Lanzarote)
4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.

Get deal now

UK Getaway
4* Radisson Blu Durham stay with breakfast, spa access & late checkout — save 60% off.

Get deal now

Drive Supercars
 3–12 lap supercar driving experiences from £16.99 — save up to 65%. 

Get deal now

We also love the splash of sequin on the Black Sequin Bow Front Mini Length Cut Dress, while the Velvet Sequin Scoop Back Belted Mini Dress has a retro feel, and comes in both brown and black.

The Black Velvet Sparkle Tie Front Mini Dress is a popular pick, with plenty of glowing reviews. 

‘Perfect velvet dress for all seasons; Halloween, Christmas, New Year,’ Lyd said, while Dolly insisted: ‘One of the best dresses. Had lots of compliments and worn it in parties, great quality and fit, would love more colours in this fit.’

If you’re keeping your outfit fairly neutral, why not add a pop of colour with some shoes? These Burgundy Sling Back Heels have a clashing velvet bow, and reviews insist they’re stylish and comfy for a night on the dancefloor.

‘These shoes are beautiful, super comfortable, and I think they’re a really good price!’ Agnes said.

Sometimes a great party look is all about the base layers, and shoppers say this two pack of Anti Chafe Shorts are a purchase you won’t regret.

‘They stop the chaffing and are perfect for under dresses, and the legs are a good length and don’t ride up, which makes them very comfortable to wear,’ one anonymous customer said. 

‘Can wear any outfit,’ another shopper said. ‘I didn’t want to take these off. I’m so so pleased. i would recommend that the general public go on buy these now you won’t regret it.’

We’re certainly ready to ring in the New Year now!

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Share your views in the comments below

MORE: From Oliver Bonas to Jellycat – this is what a shopping expert is asking for Christmas

MORE: 11 of the best skincare products to get you through the festive season

MORE: These setting sprays keep your makeup flawless – even when it’s hot!