About

Just like you…but probably on more drugs

Who?

I am a 20-something woman living in London working as a digital strategist, who just happens to have a life-shortening lung condition called Cystic Fibrosis. I also have CF-related diabetes. You could say I’m an overachiever.

It’s hard to imagine living any differently. Sometimes I wonder how everyone else gets through the day without 30 tablets, a nebuliser and an insulin injection every mealtime.

For those at the back who haven’t been paying attention, Cystic fibrosis comes with an average expiration date – I believe median life expectancy is the correct term- of 38 years. I turn 30 this year. While I have absolutely no intention of leaving on time there are a lot of ambitions I’ve yet to achieve. This blog chronicles my journey as I do so.

I write about things you probably already read about: work, life, health, relationships, travel, late night political debates in the hospital with your Phlebotomist, (…too niche?) but I am here to share a different perspective. I want to help you think differently about illness. I’m big on advocacy and whether you have a chronic condition or not, I hope you can relate to my writing.

Why?

We hear a lot about illness stopping people from doing things. That’s because it does. But we don’t hear enough, about or from, people with lifelong illnesses living life; their careers, passions and pursuits. There are 15 million people in the UK alone living with a chronic illness. And  while I write about a serious subject, I see no reason to be serious all the time.  Trust me, life is too short.

I also write on Insta under @Sick.Notes. It’s about capturing and sharing – with a smile – the mundane moments many people living with a condition will recognise. Because bad poetry is my therapy.

And you can find me here @ellyafoster.

-Elly Aylwin-Foster.