Vicki Cockerill - NICU MUM Blog

NNUH Sometimes you read something that you can relate to and you have to share. I wanted to do more than share on FB. I wanted to share a dear friend's very stark words as far as I could. Which is why today, I have a very improtu guest blog post.  I have written before about having an ill child makes you realise just how lucky you really are to live in a country that has the NHS. Yes, it has it's flaws, it's over stretched but they are all doing an amazing job they don't hear this enough. Instead they get moaned at, shouted at and publicly criticised.  From the bottom of my heart I can never thank the enough for what they have done for my family but I urge you to read on. Please do like/share and spread my friend Chantel's utterly brilliant words below. In the last 6 days I have stepped foot through Norfolk & Norwich A&E 3 times. I’m not usually one for publicly discussing personal affairs but felt compelled to do so in this instance. We are very...

One Ill. One 'Normal' child. Someone recently asked me with great trepidation if I treated Elijah and Harlow differently, with Elijah having CHD and an open heart surgery under his belt already did it change how I treated them. The fact for the rest of his life CHD will be a lurking like a black cloud over us all does change things. She too had a child with a lifelong condition and one who doesn't. One ill child. One "normal" child. I could see the worry on her face about asking me this but I knew she needed reassurance that she’d been battling to rationalise this for herself for some time. The guilt was etched on her face. If we felt like this I am sure many others would so I wanted to honestly share my feelings to say we shouldn't feel like we cannot talk about something like this when you have one ill child and one who isn't. I know it's not the done thing to talk about who you favour etc. but the truth is... Yes. I do treat El...

Photo Credit Black and Beech. If I asked you one question; Would you vote to repeal the 8 th amendment in the Irish referendum? Yes? Or no? For me this is an easier answer, to a question I don’t think should actually have to be asked. It seems so archaic that we are even having to discuss and have a referendum on this in 2018. I would vote: YES. On May 25 th Ireland will have to ask this question and answer it accordingly with their vote. For those that don’t know the 8 th amendment is the one that is currently makes getting an abortion illegal in Ireland. It takes away a basic and fundamental right of choice I believe every single woman on this planet should have, and one that should not be dictated, or governed by someone else. Especially those who will never find themselves in a position where they would need to make that choice for themselves, for their body. You may wonder why I wanted to write a blog post about this as an English resident I c...

Me and Social Media. To mark #mentalhealthawareness The Mumologist invited me and a number of others to share our experiences of mental health and social media. How social media has played a role in our mental health journey by answering 5 questions. Below are my 5 questions and answers, and you can view the full series here . What made you start sharing your mental health experiences online? After the birth of my first son I had a difficult time processing his birth which lead to a PTSD diagnosis. I joined Instagram on a whim. I connected with those bravely sharing their battles which encourage me to start a blog and then candidly share my mental health experiences.  What have been the pros for you? Knowing I am not alone, knowing I am helping others. Knowing that I am normalizing talking openly about mental health. Finding a support network. What have been the cons for you? At times social media can be a drain. It can lead to an inferiority complex when...

Trying to live in the present again I thought I would finally take some time to update the blog on why it has been so quiet over here recently. For those that follow my social media will know that back in Dec I quit my job and became a freelance writer. Fast forward a few months and some trial and error I can also now add social media adviser to my bow. Going solo and standing on my own two feet was and still is terrifying. It is not the same as a regular pay cheque going into the bank each month. That coupled with a complete lack of confidence that I was good enough for people to pay me. A couple of months ago I also began therapy. Turns out writing about a traumatic event again and again does not mean you’ve processed it. It just means you’ve learnt the script, but instead I live in the past, missing out on the present. I also didn’t appreciate the effect Harlow’s birth had on me, and what happened in my childhood is still holding me back from being the mum I want...