Award-winning Wirral author and breast cancer survivor Estelle Maher, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019, is preparing to lift the lid on her own experience with the publication of a new book.

The Killing of Tracey Titmass is the author’s third novel and it will be officially launched during a virtual event on October 29 to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness Month which runs throughout October.

The book, which is written in diary format, re-tells Estelle’s own roller-coaster journey of living with cancer, through the eyes of fictional character Jo Kearns and it’s hoped it will help others suffering with the disease.

Both humorous and poignant, the inspiring tale covers the raw emotions and physical discomforts associated with diagnosis, surgery, treatment and life post-cancer.

In the story Jo’s cancer tumour is given a life of its own and is personified through the character Tracey Titmass – an unwanted housemate, who has long overstayed her welcome.

Esther, says she hadn’t planned on turning her own experiences into a book.

I kept a diary because writing helped me to come to terms with my own emotions. It helped to stop my head feeling so fizzy and was to some extent, medicinal. I hadn’t planned on turning it into a book but then friends suggested that it might help others going through a similar experience.

“It took me several attempts. It sounds daft but at first I didn’t feel comfortable with inflicting cancer on a character. I know it’s all fictional but it just seemed too cruel and emotionally I found that very difficult.

“But, once I’d decided to write the book in diary format and attribute my own timeline of events to the character, it became a bit easier to write. It was more personal and all the interactions and hospital appointments are all based on true events and things that really happened to me.

“I want people to read it and not feel isolated. Many of the emotions you experience through something like this are normal and I want people to know they’re not on their own. Cancer never really goes away and learning to live with that and cope with life afterwards is an important part of the message within this book. Cancer doesn’t define you but it does become a part of your identity in so many ways.”

There will be a virtual Q&A session with Estelle on October 29 at Write Blend bookshop on South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool, Merseyside, as part of the official book launch.

Bookshop owner Bob Stone will interview Estelle during the Facebook Live session and fans will be invited to ask questions.

The book, published by Southport-based publisher Beaten Track Publishing, will be available to purchase from Write Blend and also online at Amazon. Her debut novel Grace and the Ghost is an Amazon Bestseller and also won the award for Best Spiritual Fiction Book at the 2018 Soul and Spirit Awards.  Sequel Angel’s Rebellion was published in 2018.

For more information about author Estelle Maher visit her website

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BALTIMORE —For some women, painful periods are a given, but there could also be a bigger issue: Studies show at least one in 10 women has endometriosis but has yet to be diagnosed.

“That was probably back when I was maybe like 14 or so, I was having some pretty bad periods and everything like that. At that time, you pretty much thought that that was the norm,” said patient Megan Sennett

Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.

“It’s insidious. It goes in many different places. It is all-encompassing, and unfortunately, it comes back,” said Dr. Kevin Audlin, director of the endometriosis center at Mercy Medical Center.

For Sennett, the symptoms started to affect her everyday life.

“When you become kind of a hermit during those first few days, you’re like, ‘OK, something’s just not quite right,'” she said.

Audlin said the symptoms are hard to pinpoint at first.

“They are very vague, and that’s the biggest problem. We know that conservatively 10% of all pre-menopausal woman have endometriosis, but all women that are pre-menopausal have cycles for the most part, so why do only 10% get the disease?” Audlin said.

Endometriosis mainly impacts a woman during her reproductive years but can start as soon as a girl gets her period.

“The assumption is that bleeding from this causes the retrograde menstruation into the pelvis — the less you bleed, the less likelihood you’re going to have of endometriosis,” Audlin said.

Audlin said treatment starts with managing a woman’s hormones.

“Currently, I’m on birth control. I actually have the Mirena IUD. That actually helps prevent my periods and helps me prevent from any pains, discomfort, things like that,” Semmett said.

Surgery is a more advanced treatment. To help manage the disease, women can focus on living a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise, quit smoking and get a lot of sleep.

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In the past decade or so, it seems more and more celebrities are opening up about their “invisible” illnesses. These often debilitating conditions — such as depression, anxiety, inflammatory bowel disease, and more — are often overlooked because many sufferers appear to be okay on the outside. But in reality, they’re in intense pain — and often in silence. Which is why it’s so important when big names shed light on these invisible illnesses. And recently, Halsey opened up about learning she can have kids after being diagnosed with endometriosis.

But first, a bit of background information is needed. The “Nightmare” singer, 24, has remained open about having endometriosis through her years of fame. According to the National Institute of Health, in women with endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other places of the body. In other words, this tissue builds up, sloughs off, and bleeds with your menstrual cycle — causing intense pain, irritation, cysts, and even fertility problems. Sounds pretty horrible, right? Unfortunately, 1 in 10 women suffer with the condition.

At one point, Halsey wasn’t sure if she’d ever be able to have children. But recently, she found out motherhood could very well be in the cards for her after all. Because of lifestyle changes and surgery, Halsey’s doctor informed her that egg freezing was no longer needed, according to E! Online. “I was like, ‘Wait, what did you just say? Did you just say I can have kids?” she told Rolling Stone. “It was like the reverse of finding out you have a terminal illness. I called my mom, crying.”

During an episode of The Doctors in April 2018, Halsey discussed her endometriosis story. “Doctors can tend to minimize the female experience when it comes to dealing with [endometriosis],” Halsey said, according to Billboard. “My whole life, my mother had always told me, ‘Women in our family just have really bad periods.’ It was just something she thought she was cursed to deal with and I was cursed to deal with, and that was just a part of my life.”

She went on to explain that she ended up collapsing outside of her tour bus, was repeatedly misdiagnosed, and even experienced a miscarriage while performing onstage. That’s when she “got really aggressive” about her treatment. In January 2017, Halsey had surgery to treat to treat her endometriosis. She also decided she was going to freeze her eggs.

“I’m 23 years old, and I’m going to freeze my eggs,” Halsey said on The Doctors. “And when I tell people that, they’re like, ‘You’re 23, why do you need to do that? Why do you need to freeze your eggs?’ She continued:

As the Daily Mail reported in March, Halsey tweeted that she has suffered from multiple miscarriages because of her endometriosis. The tweets have since been deleted, for whatever reason. But still. “I have endometriosis,” she wrote, according to the publication. “I’ve had 3 miscarriages, 4 surgeries, pretty much in pain every day of my life and I’ve donated/raised upwards of $300,000 in the name of research and support. I’m not trying to be quirky. Or different. I’m just trying to normalise an under-discussed illness.”

I can’t begin to imagine what Halsey has been through. Considering the intense pain, miscarriages, and surgeries she has endured through the years, though, I’m sure she was relieved when her doctor told her she’d be able to have children. Kudos to this brave woman for continuing to share her story — and for giving those who suffer from endometriosis a voice.

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High blood pressure (also known as hypertension) is a common condition that can silently damage your body over time. One of the most serious complications is the thickening of the heart wall, especially the left side, known medically as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Understanding this risk, and how to prevent it, is crucial for anyone living with or at risk for high blood pressure.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. High blood pressure is usually defined as a reading consistently above 130/80 mmHg.

• Primary (essential) hypertension: No specific cause; related to genetics, lifestyle.
• Secondary hypertension: Caused by another condition (e.g., kidney disease, hormonal disorders).

Hypertension often has no symptoms, which is why it’s called the “silent killer.”

How Does High Blood Pressure Thicken the Heart Wall?

Your heart is a muscle that pumps blood. When blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder to pump blood to your body. Over time, just like lifting heavy weights makes arm muscles bigger, this extra work causes the wall of the heart’s main pumping chamber (the left ventricle) to thicken. This is called left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH).

Why Is a Thickened Heart Wall Bad?

• Reduced pumping efficiency: The thickened muscle can become stiff and less able to fill with blood.
• Oxygen demand: A bigger heart muscle needs more oxygen, increasing the risk of angina (chest pain) and heart attacks.
• Electrical problems: Thickened muscle can disrupt the heart’s electrical system, causing arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
• Increased risk: People with LVH have a higher risk of heart failure, stroke, and sudden cardiac death.

Symptoms to Watch For

Many people have no symptoms at all, even with a thickened heart wall. If symptoms do develop, they may include:

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Chest pain or pressure
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Fatigue, weakness

Note: These symptoms may signal advanced disease. Most people do not feel anything until the condition is serious.

How Is Heart Wall Thickening Diagnosed?

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): May show changes suggesting LVH.
• Echocardiogram (Heart Ultrasound): The best test. It measures the thickness of the heart walls and how well the heart pumps.
• MRI: Rarely used, but can give very detailed images.
• Routine check-ups: People with high blood pressure should have regular check-ups to monitor for complications.

Who Is Most at Risk?

• People with uncontrolled or long-standing high blood pressure
• Older adults (risk increases with age)
• People with kidney disease
• Those with a family history of heart disease
• People who smoke, are obese, eat a high-salt diet, or are physically inactive

How Can You Prevent Heart Wall Thickening?

The best prevention is to control your blood pressure! Here’s how:

1. Lifestyle Changes

• Eat a healthy, low-salt diet (such as the DASH or Mediterranean diet)
• Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes most days)
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking
• Manage stress (meditation, relaxation, hobbies)

2. Take Your Medications

If prescribed, take blood pressure medicines exactly as directed. Common medications include:

• ACE inhibitors
• ARBs
• Beta-blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics

Do not stop your medicine without talking to your doctor!

3. Regular Check-ups

• Monitor your blood pressure at home, if recommended
• Get regular doctor visits and heart check-ups
• Report any new symptoms immediately

What Should I Do If I Have High Blood Pressure?

1. Check your blood pressure regularly.
2. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep all appointments.
3. Adopt heart-healthy habits (diet, exercise, avoid smoking/alcohol).
4. Know the warning signs of heart trouble (see symptoms above).
5. Talk to your doctor about getting an echocardiogram if you have long-standing or hard-to-control hypertension.

Summary Checklist

• Check your blood pressure regularly
• Take your medicines as prescribed
• Eat a low-salt, balanced diet
• Stay physically active
• Get regular heart check-ups
• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
• Watch for symptoms, but remember LVH is often silent

When to Call Your Doctor

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Severe shortness of breath
• Fainting or severe dizziness
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat

These could be signs of serious heart complications.

Final Words

High blood pressure can silently thicken your heart wall and raise your risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. But with good management, regular check-ups, and heart-healthy habits, you can dramatically lower your risk and protect your heart for years to come.

Take charge of your blood pressure — your heart will thank you!

The post High Blood Pressure and Heart Wall Thickening: A Complete Patient Guide appeared first on MyMedicPlus.