In this Episode we meet Ella Tallyn who contacted us after listening to an Episode in series 6, with Dr Aziza Sesay, where we touched on Chronic Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs). Ella told us how this illness had changed her life and wondered if it might help others if she described her own experience and what she has learned so far.Ella explains how in January 2021, after a long period of intense stress during the pandemic, she began to feel the burning sensations of an acute UTI. She also had visible blood in her urine. After a 7-day course of anti-biotics within 24 hrs after the infection returned which then developed into a Chronic, embedded UTI.Ella believes what happened in the early period of the UTI was critical and explains what she wishes she had known then.We learn what happens in the body when you have a chronic UTI and how it differs from an acute or recurring UTI.Ella is keen to share her experience with getting the correct diagnosis, finding a specialist, how a chronic UTI can affect your mental health and what she has found that support her. Ella generously shares her advice for anyone who find themselves dealing with this diagnosis.Two years on and the infection remains remarkably untouched by treatments, Ella rarely has a moment that she is not in debilitating pain, it has impacted all aspects of her life and she is on long term sick leave from her job in academia yet far from this being a lugubrious story it is one of hope, strength and acceptance.You can watch the full interview on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFgmHLcdx28eco-XlkWYwUA In the Book Collective we begin reading Femina by Janina Ramirez, and chapter 1 - Movers and Shakers, sets the scene for the women of the 5th and 6th Century and how without some fearless women early Christianity would not have grown and spread in England. We meet the women that made change happen, Bertha and Hilde it’s a magnificent start to our book this series. The Foodie Collective: we continue with biscuits and Jinty has delved into Nigella Lawson’s The Domestic Goddess to bake her Maple Pecan Biscuits.Ingredients:250grs of unsalted butter (or vegan option). 125 grs light muscovado sugar. 1 tsp of maple extract (or maple syrup). 350grs self-raising flour. 75grs Pecan halves. 2 x baking sheets lined.Method:Pre heat the oven to 170°. Cream the butter and sugar. Add maple extract and flour. Roll into walnut size balls. Press down the balls with a lightly oiled base of a glass. Place on the baking sheets 5cm apart. Place a pecan half on every biscuit. Cook for 15 mins. Leave on the baking sheet for 1 to 2 mins then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Find out how we got on with our tea WI and there’s a new Hat-Trick one to try out this week! We discuss the new MREF charity founded by Fiona Clark, Diane Danzebrink & Vikram Talaulikar, the charity has been set up to fund research into menopause, fund education for health care professionals and ensure women have access to accurate and evidence based information about menopause and health.There’s a fantastic quote from Jinty. We talk scones and why you should always carry a bottle of wine in the car on long journeys. It’s another episode brimming with chat, your comments, and all the usual shenanigans. So, settle in for this hour(ish) podcast full of meaningful chat. If you’ve enjoyed our Podcast please consider buying us a Ko-Fi. This helps us ensure we bring you quality of content and sound.https://ko-fi.com/womenkindcollectivepodcastFor further information on chronic UTI’s:Chronic UTI support websites:Cutic.co.ukChronicutiinfo.comChronicutiglobalsupport.com Good books to read:Cystitis Unmasked by Professor James Malone-LeeTeach Us to Sit Still by Tim Parks--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/womenkindcollectivepodcast/message Hosted on Acast. See