Samantha Lou Rare Resilience

05/06/2025

So many of you have seen me with a broken heart
A hopeful heart
A fearful heart
A tired heart
A needy heart
But not many of you have seen me with a heart as full as this…

I always knew I was born to be a mum and becoming one to Jensen and Brooke at a young age fulfilled me and challenged me in ways I never knew possible.

I never quite got over the way my dream of creating a nuclear family got torn apart and becoming a single parent when they were still very young brought a whole new realm of challenges that we learned to navigate together.

Everything my illness and fight for survival put us through years later truly did make us stronger… closer… and more in tune with one another.
It pushed us beyond our limits and my mind and body went to places I’d only witnessed in films and TV.

It was really obvious to those of you who knew me during those years that the only thing that forced me to keep holding on was Jensen and Brooke. I use the word ‘forced’ intentionally because it wasn’t a choice; it was a trap.

Being their mum trapped me into fighting one more minute when I desperately wanted to give up. It left me no option but to show them that there were no limits to my love for them, so much so that even when I begged for relief from
the pain in any possible form, deep down I knew I’d fight against it if it came … and I bathed in the comfort of knowing that if sweet relief was to eventually wash over me; they both would know I’d done everything in my power to be with them & support them as they grew.

We eventually got through those years and not for one moment did I think I’d ever live the life that I get to live today.

I’ve said here before that I truly believed back then that when I chose the surgeries which could help me to survive that I’d never find true love. I thought it was the price I’d have to pay (outside of the 0.75 million dollar bills)…. No one would want someone like me.

It wasn’t a pity party; it was a harsh, painful, heart wrenching thought that I came to believe was a fact. I would never have the family life or love that I’d craved since I was a little girl because who would want the drama that my conditions bring…? or the way Id move differently post-surgery… who would take the risk loving me when the rest of my life will always hang in the balance, held together only by incredibly expensive medical promises thousands of miles from home.
To love me would be to accept a life of uncertainty … whilst at the same time living certain in the knowledge of an unnerving fight for my life or health again one day.

So this morning, I paused and I took this photo whilst on my first solo outing with my 6 week old daughter. The very daughter who doctors told me not to have. The child I was advised would be too much pressure for my body to continue to carry or deliver…. And yet through hard work, research, faith and determination it became the healthiest pregnancy and delivery I’ve ever had.

Having children whilst living with rare, complex and chronic health conditions isn’t an easy ride but to experience this next chapter of our journey with Jensen and Brooke in their teens and a fiancé who is more than a partner; he’s the glue… the calming reassurance…the supporter… the team mate… the dad that all our children deserve makes my heart so full it could burst at the seams.

So I paused for a moment this morning to capture my happiness today and to find the words to share this little truth with you because I know some of you will be in dark and difficult chapters right now and I need you to know that life has plans you can’t yet fathom and the days ahead will lead the way towards chapters you can only dream of; if only you can hold on.

~ Samantha 💜

26/04/2025

Anya Esme , our miracle baby was born 24.4.25 weighing 6lb 6oz

We’re doing brilliantly, enjoying exceeding all medical expectations and settling in amongst all the love of our family

I couldn’t be more grateful to be moving into this next chapter with everything I ever dreamed of and more.

- Samantha 💖

16/04/2025

Was very sad to wake up to the news that Dan has passed on yesterday.

Danny Dearden … Our local X-Factor star became a huge support during my own time of need. Not because he knew me personally… but because he saw a local stranger in need of help and he knew he could make a difference, so he did.

Danny showed his kindness in the way he chose to plan fabulous events & consequently fundraised thousands of pounds towards my life before he even knew me.

We got to know one another a little during that time and kept intouch beyond with the odd check in or update on one another’s lives which gradually became more infrequent - but it remained clear in the moments I knew him that he was much loved by so many people; reflecting the impact he made on the lives he touched - through both words and song inspite of what was happening in his own world

Rest easy now Dan 💝
Much love Sam x

Thanks for checking out my new single. If you have ever lost someone in your life, this one is for you X !P.s Don't forget to subscribe and share if you like...

30/01/2025

Hello all!
I’ve been a little quiet whilst I’ve focussed on myself, family, work, growing a human etc…. But I know my silence can worry some of you, more so with my pregnancy & I’m grateful for those of you who’ve reached out to check in on me so here’s a little update 😊

I do question how much value I’d bring if I was to give more regular updates on my life and so I guess that holds me back from more frequent posts. There’s a conflict within me- not wanting it to seem like I’ve healed (a loosely used word with EDS & large fusions!) and abandoned the community, versus ensuring I bring things of value to you all rather than statuses which can feel a little ‘me,me,me’.

There’s also an undeniable element to healing which makes me want to protect my little bubble and not feed into the parts of my identity that I’ve worked hard to ensure are no longer in the driving seat, such as illness & fear… and I find regularly engaging in conversation about my conditions can really play into that fear (of the future) at times. Having said that, I couldn’t possibly deny how very defining my experiences in recent years have been within my life and the person I am today, so if people do feel it’s helpful then I’ll try to be more conscious about sharing this.

Update: I’m just about reaching my 3rd trimester in a miracle pregnancy that I was sternly advised not to continue with by the medical community.

I came to a realisation in 2024 that I’ve only lived to regret the decisions I’ve made whilst in a fear-based mindset… and so we took a leap of faith and chose to trust in the body I’ve come to know so well.

Surprisingly, the pregnancy has been smooth sailing. Actually, I’d go as far to say that (so far) it’s been smoother sailing than the two previous pregnancies I had in my twenties pre-EDS diagnosis!

Writing those words awakens a dread inside of me and I hesitated over the letters as I typed them out. It can feel as though I’m tempting fate after such a long and arduous journey here… But I’m also working hard to avoid giving energy to those kinds of thoughts.

I’m managing to continue at the gym to minimise the impact of the increase in dislocations and instability that EDS and pregnancy hormones cause in unison.
It’s not easy but it’s do-able.
Past pregnancies landed me with a fractured pelvis and wheelchair due to these changes so I’m not expecting an easy ride the whole journey!

So far, I’ve also avoided the Obstetric Cholestasis and kidney issues which plagued my previous pregnancies and landed us with two early bambinos. It’s fully expected I’ll experience this again, but I have a fabulously attentive & highly skilled medical team 💞

The pregnancy is considered high risk, with ensuring both of our safety during delivery being our main challenge - but as I’ve said to my team ‘I’ll focus on growing this little one and staying physically strong and I’ll trust you to focus on keeping us safe when the time comes’.

Oh … I can’t end this update without recognising the sheer safety, joy and contentment that comes with experiencing a pregnancy with an incredibly supportive and loving man who makes me feel beautiful and supported everyday amidst all the crazy bodily changes (and the odd medical-trauma induced panic attack!) 🥰

It’s just the greatest experience, one I’m very grateful to have, alongside sharing this journey with Jensen & Brooke 🥰

So that’s where we’re at!

Trust & faith with a sprinkle of hope for good measure!

~ Sam 💞

31/12/2024

🎈Wishing you all a happy & healthy
New year 🥳

Thanks for your continued love & support

And please remember…. if life isn’t quite where you want it to be or you feel like you’re taking hit after hit…. Hold on, reach out to others and be kind to yourself because life is far from predictable and the future holds so many possibilities….I promise.

Much love ….

~Sam & Bump

24/12/2024

Through all the chaos and the magic-making I hope you’re able to take a moment to breathe, catch yourself.

To slow down and enjoy little moments because your family won’t remember ‘the most perfect Christmas’ …

But they will remember how they felt… the laughter, the warmth and the happiness of being together

So from my team to yours we wish you a present and joyful Christmas!

~ Samantha 💕🎄🥳

12/11/2024

Question for the EDS’ers amongst us…

What do you do for wiggly ribs? Like when you can see and feel it wiggling and moving /pulsating off it’s own accord.

Taping ?
Binding? ….

It’s not painful but it’s an odd sensation and I’d like to avoid any unnecessary inflammation.

🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓

07/11/2024

Psst…. 👶🏻 incoming

I’m sure it’ll be quite a shock for some people who’ve followed my journey.

Here’s a true testament to how hard I’ve worked to get myself strong & healthy enough to make our dreams reality.

Couldn’t be happier.
Thankyou for all your support

~ Samantha 💕

03/11/2024

How I start my day living with chronic pain & illness and knowing that I’m wanting to stay a step ahead of it for a long time.

✔️Red light therapy
✔️Mould-free, pesticide-free coffee
✔️Wim Hoff breathing
✔️Cyclic peptides 💉

Andddd we’re all set for a day of birthday shopping! 🛍️🥰

28/10/2024

Thank you Dr Sanjay Gupta

Today I want to talk about a poorly condition called POTS which causes a lot of young patients (children and women mainly between the ages of 14-45) a lot of...

22/10/2024

🌟October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month

A common condition which is caused by Dysautonomia is known as POTS

Living with POTS can feel like an invisible battle—one that’s often misunderstood.

This month, we’ve been turning the spotlight on dysautonomia to educate those around us.

✨ **What is POTS?**

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (basically meaning when you change posture you develop a very high heart rate)

But… It’s more than just dizziness.
It’s a condition that disrupts our whole autonomic nervous system (detailed in my last post), leading to rapid heart rates, fatigue, and brain fog.

Imagine your body thinking and behaving as though it’s ran a marathon everytime you stand up … or needing to lay down after a bath or shower so you don’t pass out… or being physically unable to stand in a shopping queue without your body trying to pass out.

Even the simplest tasks can be monumental.

This condition used to really affect me personally until I learned the value of balancing electrolytes properly (Celtic salt was a game changer!) and this can be super helpful for some -not all! POTS patients.

💪 **Let’s Change the Narrative:** Share your story to help friends and family understand what we go through daily. The more we talk, the more we educate!