The Healing Room

23/09/2025

Yesterday was World Narcolepsy Day! But I was too tired to post after a weekend of having cataplexies and losses with the cold.

9 years officially diagnosed, for me my journey to diagnosis was fairly quick at 3 years when the average is 8 to 15 years!

It felt like the longest and most challenging 3 years of my life, with my symptoms worsening not long after we got married, I was told by people it’s just the coming down from excitement the excitement of getting married 😂 I knew something wasn’t right.

My narcolepsy was brought on following glandular fever in my late teens 20s, and then chronic fatigue I was always tired and would usually be found napping after a day at college or work.

But as I felt the extreme fatigue, hallucinations at night with sleep paralysis, and a strange weakness in my knees when I laughed or got a fright (the start of cataplexy) I went to my GP which was a long process as is often the case with chronic conditions… blood tests, advice to open the window when driving if I felt sleepy, take vitamins… I crashed my car as I fell asleep ( if you feel tired, pull over!!! Even if you are nearly home, I was only 5 minutes from my house). This sounds crazy but as I felt myself getting sleepy, I seen a flash of light next to me in my car and felt like someone slapped my face to alert me which it did (I’m convinced this was my guardian angel), but I kept driving and crashed into a parked pick up truck with my wee car passenger wedged under it, I was so lucky that nobody was hurt! But this lead to me being taken seriously and referred to the sleep clinic.

Sleep tests, a lumbar puncture and along wait I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy, which I didn’t expect at all.

Hearing other peoples experiences and symptoms really helped me to come to terms with the diagnosis which their is no cure at present, but a lot of promising research is happening so maybe in my lifetime 🤞🏻

The last image is by Georgia Stanier, I’ve never seen anything that I relate to so much.

If you made it to the end, thank you so much.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Love Karen xx

30/11/2024

Just a little update on what’s happening with The Healing Room…

Reopening date has been moved back a little bit for February/March.

Things have improved for me after lipoedema removal surgery, but still navigating living with chronic illnesses and focusing on pacing myself. The mistake I’ve always made in the past is reopening before I can manage daily routines. So I’m working on that just now, and finding a balance between rest and doing.

Thanks so much for your patience 🫶🏻❤️ it’s really appreciated.

When I do reopen it will be a Monday appointment, then we will see what the future holds.

Love Karen

Art credit (how my rest will look but with a kindle, heated blanket and Holly) xx

22/09/2024

Today is World Narcolepsy Day!

8 years officially diagnosed, for me my journey to diagnosis was fairly quick at 3 years when the average is 8 to 15 years!

It felt like the longest and most challenging 3 years of my life, with my symptoms worsening not long after we got married, I was told by people it’s just the coming down from excitement the excitement of getting married 😂 I knew something wasn’t right.

My narcolepsy was brought on following glandular fever in my early 20s, and then chronic fatigue I was always tired and would usually be found napping after a day at college or work.

But as I felt the extreme fatigue, hallucinations at night with sleep paralysis, and a strange weakness in my knees when I laughed or got a fright (the start of cataplexy) I went to my GP which was a long process as is often the case with chronic conditions… blood tests, advice to open the window when driving if I felt sleepy, take vitamins… I crashed my car as I fell asleep ( if you feel tired, pull over!!! Even if you are nearly home, I was only 5 minutes from my house). This sounds crazy but as I felt myself getting sleepy, I seen a flash of light next to me in my car and felt like someone slapped my face to alert me, which it did, but I kept driving and crashed into a parked pick up truck with my wee car passenger wedged under it, I was so lucky that nobody was hurt! But this lead to me being taken seriously and referred to the sleep clinic.

Sleep tests, a lumbar puncture and along wait I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy, which I didn’t expect at all.

Hearing other peoples experiences and symptoms really helped me to come to terms with the diagnosis which their is no cure at present, but a lot of promising research is happening so maybe in my lifetime 🤞🏻

If you made it to the end, thank you so much.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Love Karen xx

21/07/2024

So it’s been a while, I just wanted to let you know what’s happening.

I am planning to reopen around September/October. ❤️❤️❤️

I hoped I could open sooner, but I’m getting prepared for my first Lipoedema removal surgery in August and continuing to pace myself (managing narcolepsy & underactive thyroid) and build myself up.

My plan for reopening is going to be half a day at first and slowly increasing, so do as I suggest to others for once 😂🙊

I can’t thank you all enough for your patience and understanding.

I promise it will be worth the wait, as I’ve got some beautiful nourishing treatments in store for you.

I’ll keep you updated on when my booking system is open and I might share my Lipoedema removal journey as you know I like to raise awareness of chronic health conditions.

Thanks as always, I really can’t wait to see you back in The Healing Room.

Love Karen xx

31/12/2023

This 👏🏻

This says it all, sometimes we don't need to change just endure who you are, what you have lived through and just keep going on.

On the stroke of midnight tonight,
you can resolve to be better, if you like…
to be fitter,
to eat cleaner,
to work harder.

On the stroke of midnight tonight,
you can resolve to become a whole new you,
if you so choose.

Or, you can take a moment to acknowledge
what you already are.
Because it’s a lot.
You are a lot.

And you deserve to be truly seen.

On the stroke of midnight tonight,
perhaps you could congratulate yourself for coping.
For breaking, again,
for rebuilding, again.

For catching the stones life has thrown at you,
and using them to build your castle
that little bit more beautifully.

And if you have used those stones to block yourself in for the ‘heal’, perhaps you can realign them this year. Make a grander gate, not a higher wall.

You have endured, my friend.
Through times you thought unendurable.
You did.

And I don’t see the need to resolve
to become a whole new you,
when you are already so very much indeed.

Happy new year.

You made it.

Now let us face another 365 day-turn together,
arms wide…
accepting, embracing and ‘seeing’ one other,
for all we truly are…

breaks and all.

Donna Ashworth

If you don’t have my latest book, it is on sale today. Very important to me. I hope it will be the read your new year needs.

https://amzn.eu/d/eDGFsCs

ART by Sherine Tolba Sherine Tolba Paintings

01/11/2023

Welcome to the crisp and colorful month of November!

I don’t have an update on when I will reopen, but I’m hopeful for a gradual reopen this side of the year 🤞🏻

Thank you so much for your patience, support, encouragement and I relate messages to my stories. I always want to be open and honest on life with chronic illness and to know that you are not alone. As it’s easy to feel that way seeing everyone highlights on social media.

As the leaves continue to fall and the temperatures drop, November ushers in a unique blend of autumnal beauty and hints of winter's approach. This is a time of transition, as nature dons its vibrant cloak of reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a picturesque landscape for all to enjoy.

I’m so grateful for everyone of you 🥰🥰

Love Karen xx

01/10/2023

"Welcome, October! Embrace the changing leaves and crisp air with open arms. This month is a fresh start, a new chapter in your journey. Let it be a reminder that change can be beautiful, and each day is an opportunity to bloom just like the vibrant autumn leaves." 🍁🍂

22/09/2023

World Narcolepsy Day

Go to my stories to take part in Quiz.

Posted •

7 years officially diagnosed, for me my journey to diagnosis was fairly quick at 3 years when the average is 8 to 15 years!

It felt like the longest and most challenging 3 years of my life, with my symptoms worsening not long after we got married, I was told by people it’s just the coming down from excitement the excitement of getting married 😂 I knew something wasn’t right.

My narcolepsy was brought on following glandular fever in my early 20s, and then chronic fatigue I was always tired and would usually be found napping after a day at college or work.

But as I felt the extreme fatigue, hallucinations at night with sleep paralysis, and a strange weakness in my knees when I laughed or got a fright (the start of cataplexy) I went to my GP which was a long process as is often the case with chronic conditions… blood tests, advice to open the window when driving if I felt sleepy, take vitamins… I crashed my car as I fell asleep ( if you feel tired, pull over!!! Even if you are nearly home, I was only 5 minutes from my house). This sounds crazy but as I felt myself getting sleepy, I seen a flash of light next to me in my car and felt like someone slapped my face to alert me, which it did, but I kept driving and crashed into a parked pick up truck with my wee car passenger wedged under it, I was so lucky that nobody was hurt! But this lead to me being taken seriously and referred to the sleep clinic.

Sleep tests, a lumbar puncture and along wait I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy with Cataplexy, which I didn’t expect at all.

Hearing other peoples experiences and symptoms really helped me to come to terms with the diagnosis which their is no cure at present, but a lot of promising research is happening so maybe in my lifetime 🤞🏻

If you made it to the end, thank you so much.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Love Karen xx

20/09/2023

World Reflexology Week-

Is reflexology for everyone, Yes!

Muhammad Ali receiving REFLEXOLOGY from his reflexologist, Richard Minarik.
The caption ( not shown here ) reads : NEW YORK
September 28 FOOT WORK - After a session of roadwork in Central Park heavyweight champion
Muhammad Ali turns his toes over to "foot reflexologist" Richard Minarik. Careful care may keep Ali floating "like a butterfly" when he meets Ken Norton in a championship fight to Yankee Stadium Tuesday night. (AP Wire Photo) 1976
"As reported by a San Antonio, Texas newspaper, Muhammed Ali was drawn to reflexology after reading about its use by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Both were provided services by New York reflexologist Richard Minarik who applied his work with a stick.
"Last year (1976) THE STAR published a story about him curing Jackie Kennedy Onassis of a pain in her neck. Ali read the story and promptly contacted Minarik saying that he had painful arthritis in his neck which failed to respond to conventional treatment. After only two sessions of Minarik's foot manipulation the heavyweight champion reported a 100 percent improvement.
"He kept reciting poetry to me while I was working on him," said Minarik. "They were all his own poems - one was called 'The Feet'." And now Minarik is treating Ali for arthritis in his right hand. Ali has even flown him from New York to Miami for several of the sessions.
"I have also taught him how to relax before fights." said Minarik, who runs the Elmshurt Yoga Institute in Queens, New York. "Ali told me that next to him, I'm the greatest."

"Minarik admits his treatment is not recognized by the medical profession. But that does not prevent him from practicing it. He took up the treatment at age 17 when a foot reflexologist cured him of crippling arthritis. "I've been a convert ever since," he added." (May 29, 1977 San Antonio (TX)

Source Reflexology Live Blogspot 2014

http://reflexologylive.blogspot.com/2016/04/ celebrities-who-have-tried-reflexology_3.

19/09/2023

World Reflexology Week 🦶🏻👋😍

I wasn’t going to post anything as I’m still closed for a wee bit longer, but reflexology was my first love in the world of treatments so it would be silly not to post.

I found reflexology at a time where my mental health was at its worst. I was going through therapy for generalised & social anxiety, depression, OCD and bulimia. For me therapy was helping me cope better, but reflexology was helped me get back into my body.

My health conditions on top of my mental health I seriously thought I wouldn’t be able to learn reflexology, but I’m so glad I didn’t listen to my fear and went onto to study Clinical Reflexology with The Complementary Therapy School and qualified with a distinction diploma.

I can’t wait to be able to reopen soon and get back to treating feet, hands and faces!!!

Love Karen

01/09/2023

Another update from me ♥️ Closed for a bit longer…

I’m sorry to say that I’m continuing to struggle with my health. I have some hospital appointments coming up so I’m hopefully I will be feeling more like myself soon.

I can’t put a timescale on things, but will update you when I know.

All gift vouchers will be extended due to me having to take this time off.

I can’t thank you enough for your patience, understanding and support. 

I really can’t wait to have you back in The Healing Room, I just need to take it day by day.

Love
Karen
The Healing Room