Reflections on my first month following weight loss surgery — A little over five weeks ago I donned a surgical gown and navigating a mix of fear and excitement, allowed a surgeon, who I trusted as much as you can, to remove 85% of my stomach. Looking back I’m still amazed I had the courage. My stomach was not diseased…

Goodbye to the publication that gave me back my voice. — But how do you thank someone, who has taken you from crayons to perfume? It isn’t easy but I’ll try. To Sir With Love, Lulu (1967) I am currently working on two main writing projects. One, which will take as long as it takes, is a memoir of my experience…

I’m convinced life is better without excess weight. — There, I said it. I’ll brace myself now for the backlash. We in the western world live in a precarious state where one has to consider very carefully the ramifications of being honest. …

Extra time to prepare myself for a whole new way of eating. — Until the Omicron ‘variant of concern’ arrived on Australia’s shores in November it would be reasonable to say that most Aussies still didn’t know anyone who had been infected with Covid-19. That all changed ten or so weeks ago when the Omicron variant hit the shores of ‘fortress Australia’. Conservative…

The journey to the decision. — Two months ago, my husband and I took a much needed mini-break to the country. It was just prior to the Omicron variant invading Australia’s shores, and restrictions on travelling to the regions of my home state of New South Wales had just lifted. …

It’s time for this lawyer to do her part. — I remember watching the movie Die Hard with my first husband, five or so years into our marriage and him making the comment that if he was held hostage he would see no problem murdering his captor if it meant securing his own freedom. Few would disagree. But what happens…

I’ve had enough, it’s time for weight-loss surgery. — In New South Wales, Australia we are just emerging from a lock down that exceeded four months. After more than six months of relative freedom, which included interstate travel, the Delta strain plunged us back into a life of working from home, limited interactions with others and restrictions on our…

It was never about content creation. — Medium has just announced the much anticipated results of the Medium Writers Challenge and already the sour grapes are being harvested. Sadly, just hours after the announcement was made, the most clapped comment on the Medium blog article is this: “Victimhood pays” Please. The MWC was never about creating content…

If that happens, this is what I want you to know. — Trigger Warning: this article contains descriptions of domestic and emotional abuse that may not be suitable for all readers. Fearless community, please read with care. In a fireproof room, just across from my corner office, are stored the Wills of literally thousands of clients of my firm who have entrusted…