About Me

Hi my name is Orla and this is my blog about my experience doing the Camino de Santiago.

In 2001 I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. This is an auto-immune disease which effects the large intestine mainly but also has knock on effects on the rest of a person's health. It has periods of activity and remission. Following my diagnosis I had a period of high disease activity which left me unable to work or attend college. People often ask how people cope with long term illness. I coped by becoming an armchair traveller. I read guidebooks, travelogues and books written by non-English speaking authors (translated into English, of course). I just lived with hope, that one day I would be better and I would embark on one of my many dream journeys.

At some stage during this time I stumbled upon the Camino. It captured my imagination. It had so much to offer; steeped in history, amazing scenery through a country that has interested me for years. It also had the un-attainability

factor. There I was unable to do much beyond basic daily tasks and here was an exercise in physical hardship and endurance. So yes I was hooked, and started planing my trip straight-away.

Then life took a different course, as it does. What's that much bandied about saying - " Life is what happens while you are making plans". So I got better and other dreams became realities. I got older, travelled to far flung places with a tiny rucksack, lived abroad in Spain and Australia. And all the time the Camino was there, beckoning.

Then in October 2009 I became sick again after 5 years of remission. All bets were off and my life, which had taken on that roller-coaster effect came to a very decided stand-still. No work, no college and a return to the dreaded half-life of long-term illness. This time I became totally house-bound. Nothing really prepares you for this. Being dependant on others for basic sustenance, being at the mercy of an impersonal medical system, feeling your hard-fought independence and dignity being gradually eroded. And how did I get through? By being an armchair traveller again. By letting my dreams of a better future carry me through the hard times, by repeating to myself -  This too shall pass.

I decided that I wanted to do the Camino. I was still way too sick to go but I just said - "May, I'll go in May". In late March I started to feel really bad. I hurt everywhere and my symptoms went "postal". The pain became so bad that I walked into A&E in CUH one Saturday and was admitted straight away. I got amazing medical care and within a week was discharged feeling better than I had felt in months. I improved hugely over the next few weeks with help of steroids. Then I decided to take the bull by the horns and go on my Camino.

What shall follow shall be my travelogue. I hope you enjoy it and it encourages you to attempt something you have always wanted to do.