Meniere’s disease – a manic, violent, debilitating, depressing, disgusting, deplorable, despicable, devastating, damaging, distressing, diabolical monster of a disease that makes you vulnerable and defenseless. It takes, and never gives back.
It’s now 26 years of living with my shadow, Meniere’s. But once, Meniere’s was not just a shadow, it was a monster, as it wreaked havoc in my life, sucking out every ounce of happiness I had, throwing me into the deepest, darkest pit, searching on my knees for the missing pieces of me.
In 2002, after a particularly violent and long vertigo attack, I cried under the running water of the shower. There, my gut wrenching sobs would be muffled, and my tears would become invisible as I tried to hide my deep sorrow, and absolute exhaustion of faking being well. I didn’t want my three children to hear me falling apart. I didn’t want my husband to know how broken I was. And it was then and there that I made a vow. I wanted to help find a cure for Meniere’s disease in whatever way I could.
In 2004, I had one shot of gentamicin (the full dosage, not the low dose given now to preserve hearing). It stopped my vertigo, and I was able to reclaim my life.
Since 2013, I have volunteered twice as a Meniere’s research subject at the University of Queensland (Australia) Brain and Mind Centre, released two Meniere’s picture books (Vanilla Swirl for mothers and Blueberry Swirl for Fathers, both gorgeously illustrated by the talented Shez Kennington), and 2 novels – The Colour of Broken with a main character with Meniere’s disease, and the sequel, All the Colours Above, with Meniere’s disease in it again, to raise awareness about Meniere’s disease. I donate 100% profits to research of the University of Sydney Brain and Mind Centre, where they have a dedicated Meniere’s disease research team.
If you’d like to purchase any of these:
The Colour of Broken: print book & ebook audiobook (narrated by the incredible Heather Davies)
All the Colours Above: print book & ebook
In January 2020, I released a Yearly Meniere’s Journal in response to the emotional pain I absorb, witnessing people struggle in the many Meniere’s support groups I am in. While I was reading comments, I thought back to before I had a gentamicin injection to stop the vertigo, and what I used to take with me to my ENT – it was a daily journal of my symptoms. And so I created one for Meniere’s Disease for people to use.
Roll-on to November 2021, and there seems to be more and more people being diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease, struggling to understand it and how they can take control of their lives. So I revisited my January 2020 Journal, added more details, and shortened the book to just 3 months so it would be more affordable. It’s a valuable tool, and perfect for looking for patterns and tracking triggers, and for taking to your doctor or ENT to show them exactly what you are suffering daily.
A gift for Christmas
The new journal is hot off the press, and I want to gift you the FREE PDF to download and print out.
It’s also available as a print book if you would prefer – 100% profits are donated to Meniere’s Research Fund Inc at the The University of Sydney and Macquarie University
Purchase the print book here for Australia Daily Meniere’s Journal – 3 Month : Wallace, Julieann: Amazon.com.au: Books For USA Amazon.com: Daily Meniere’s Journal – 3 Month: 9780645158106: Wallace, Julieann: Books For UK Daily Meniere’s Journal – 3 Month: Amazon.co.uk: Wallace, Julieann: 9780645158106: Books Also available at any online bookstore e.g. Booktopia Daily Meniere’s Journal – 3 Month by Julieann Wallace | 9780645158106 | Booktopia , Barnes and Noble Daily Meniere’s Journal – 3 Month by Julieann Wallace, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com) Powell’s Daily Meniere’s Journal – 3 Month: Julieann Wallace: Trade Paperback: 9780645158106: Powell’s Books (powells.com)
Wishing you a very happy Christmas, and looking forward to us finding a cure in the very near future, or even something that will successfully control all of our symptoms, one that works for everyone, not just for some.
The spark of hope can never be extinguished!
Julieann Wallace is a multi-published author and artist. When she is not disappearing into her imaginary worlds as Julieann Wallace – children’s author, or as Amelia Grace – fiction novelist, she is working as a secondary teacher. Julieann’s 7th novel with a main character with Meniere’s disease—‘The Colour of Broken’—written under her pen name of Amelia Grace, was #1 on Amazon in its category twice, and was longlisted to be made into a movie or TV series by Screen Queensland, Australia. Julieann is a self-confessed tea ninja and Cadbury chocoholic, has a passion for music and art, and tries not to scare her cat, Claude Monet, with her terrible cello playing.
Follow Julieann –
https://www.facebook.com/julieannwallace.author
My Shadow - Meniere's 
Dear Julieann,
Thanks for the email and PDF book – you are one of a kind!
I hope end-of-year stress is not too much and that you and yours have lived with an d through the pandemic and stayed well.
Kind regards
Marié
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Thanks Marie. You are very welcome ❤
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