30/12/2025
TW… health issues, near death mention. Also really long!!!
Hi lovelies,
I’ve thought a lot about whether to share this, but I want to be honest with everyone going into the new year.
A few years ago, I went through a serious health crisis, a brain aneurysm rupture and a subarrachnoid haemorrhage that nearly took my life. I spent many hours in hospital and underwent two long, seven-hour brain operations. At the time, I didn’t ask for help or accept it, and I do regret that now. So many of you offered, and it upset you that you couldn’t help in a practical way. That has stayed with me and is part of the reason I’m reaching out now.
Devastatingly, back in October I received a further diagnosis that cannot be fixed with an operation at this time. My doctors are very clear: I need to slow down, take life a bit easier, and focus on reducing stress so my body can stay as healthy as possible to give myself the best chance of a little more life.
Life has changed in many ways since my first health crisis, I’m now navigating life after divorce, with a smaller support network than before, and my stubbornness often leads me to take on too much. All of this makes it even more important that I give myself the space to rest, recover, and be fully present with my two youngest children who still very much need their mamma.
I’d love to continue creating and making, as that is such a big part of who I am — but right now, practically, I just can’t manage it and this is super super hard to admit. Life is tough anyway for all of us but … even more so with juggling to stay alive.
I’ve kept this to myself since October but actually, that’s a really selfish thing to have done and I realise that now. I had told just three people until I blurted it out to an old school friend and her kind words instantly made my heart soothed.
So with a bit of promoting … here I am! Laid open and bare.
I’ve been encouraged to set up a small personal fundraising page to help ease the financial pressure while I take this time responsibly. I want to be clear — this isn’t me giving up. I will get through this… again. I just need a little pause to catch my breath.
Thank you for always being here, for your kind words, your love, and for being part of my little online family. Any support, whether donating, sharing, or just sending a message means the world 🤍
Forever smiling … ❤️❤️
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/claire-glentworth?utm_medium=CF&utm_source=CL