First Person - page 23

All the latest first person pieces from Metro, where people share their own real-life experiences in their own words – covering dating, health, identity and so much more.

I thought I’d found my soulmate. Then she scammed me out of £20,000

After five hours of waiting at the airport, the penny dropped.

He held his gun to my mum’s head and ordered me to do as he said. I was just 15

He led us into a large cupboard, explaining he would kill us if we left, and then shut us inside.

I told a stranger that I hated being pregnant. Her face told me all I needed to know

Nobody prepared me for was how completely physically debilitating being pregnant can be.

It only took 3 years to get £53,000 in debt. Here’s how we cleared it in 12 years

Eventually, our debt repayments matched our income.

I’m a medical professional and still missed the signs of my own cancer

I ignored and excused the tell-tale symptoms.

I was told I was ‘very positive’. Doctors weren’t referring to my attitude

I'd had HIV for 10 years without knowing.

We moved to the paradise of Costa Rica, but it quickly turned into hell

Things went wrong as soon as we touched down.

I spent £700 on my baby’s 1st birthday. Stacey Solomon is right to go overboard

Having my first child was one of the most exciting things to ever happen to me.

I couldn’t believe what my date did while I was in the bathroom

Casting my eyes down towards our table, I was surprised to see that Giovanni wasn’t there.

Doctors told me I was partying too much. That didn’t explain why I was constantly seeing pink elephants and tasting bacon

Before I was diagnosed with cancer a second time, the GP asked whether my symptoms could be an STI.

It takes me 35 minutes to do 3K. I love being a slow runner

Changing my pace has changed my life.

I’m a fat mum. I dread doing the weekly food shop

I fear anyone’s eyes on the contents of my shopping basket.

I’m making up for lost time and chasing the Olympics I dreamed of as a child

'This could be my last throw of the Olympic dice.'

I couldn’t handle my work-life balance. A year later I went missing

The policemen asked if I was OK and I nodded, my eyes filling with tears of shame and embarrassment.

My doctor told me I had stomach flu. An STI test said otherwise

Lethargy, fatigue and an upset stomach lingered, which I’d assumed was just your average winter bug. Over time, a non-visible rash on my face added to the puzzle.