It’s been a few years since I last had the thought to write again. Life reached a point where I needed to return to something I knew once helped me make sense of things. October 2023 marked three years since my last blog post — a post where I began to explain just one of the many health conditions I live with. Three years later, a removed bowel, a liver transplant behind me, and the possibility of another diagnosis ahead, it’s clear that these experiences have taken a significant toll on me — both physically and mentally. Without fully realising it at the time, the trauma and hurt I’ve been carrying have led to an overwhelming cycle of on-and-off depression over the last two years. There are many things I’ve been able to achieve in my 29 years on this planet. But feeling loved — and having genuine love for myself — are not among them. My name is Keiran “Mandell” McPherson. Some of you know me as “ Keekz .” At the age of 15, ...
A personal reflection on chronic illness, mental health, and the quiet weight of being the person others rely on. This blog explores grief, identity, and the difficult process of learning to live — not just survive.