Denise Drysdale has never been one for making a fuss on her birthday. But after living pain-free for the past 12-months, she had every reason to celebrate when she turned 75 on December 5.
"It's been a terrific year," Denise says. "I've worked non-stop with some of my best mates Normie [Rowe], Craig [Bennett], Jess [Rowe] on Studio 10 and lots of my own stuff." More than anything, it's Denise's health that's been a blessing.
"I finally feel on top of how I felt," she tells New Idea exclusively. "I don't think I realised how sick I was until I got better."
Regaining her mobility has been a joy for Denise, after spending much of 2021 and 2022 in excruciating pain following a trigeminal neuralgia (TN) diagnosis.
Inviting us into her Gold Coast home for a catch-up and celebratory photo shoot, Denise, one of our popular columnists, explains, "It was one of those things that cripple you. It changed how I walked, even simple things like how I got things out of a drawer.
"It felt like electric shocks. The pain was caused by the artery touching the nerve. Some mornings I'd just sit and inch my way out of bed because I knew as soon as I stood up it was going to start."
The TN diagnosis was the last in a slew of health problems, including a fractured shoulder that left Denise feeling rundown and exhausted.
"There was a period there where I thought, 'Geez, what else can He have in store for me? I mean, I say 'He' ... God might be a woman ... but if She is, She hasn't got a sense of humour," Denise says with a laugh.
Girls' day out
Esta historia es de la edición December 25, 2023 de New Idea.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 25, 2023 de New Idea.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Pip Drysdale MEET THE NEXT LIANE MORIARTY!
THIS AUSSIE AUTHOR DESERVES A HOLLYWOOD CLOSE-UP!
Pesky PLANTS
WHILE THEY LOOK LUSH, THESE PLANTS CAN WREAK HAVOC IN YOUR GARDEN
20-minute MEALS
NO TIME TO COOK? TRY THESE FAST AND TASTY FEEDS
Gladiator I ROME WILL RISE
The long-awaited second Gladiator film is finally here!
J.Lo's BODYGUARD MOMENT
THE STAR STEPS OUT IN LONDON AND NYC WITH A MYSTERY MAN
Demi's family beg 'BRUCE NEEDS YOU HOME
THERE'S MOORE TO LIFE THAN WORK...
THE BABY WHO changed the world!
A COMPELLING NEW FILM TELLS LOUISE'S INSPIRING STORY
CAZ & FERGUS Family COMES FIRST!
MOTHER AND SON ARE DISHING UP ONE LAST WIN
Jamie Oliver BOOK BACKLASH
THE CHEF IS EMBROILED IN A CHAPTER HE'D SOONER FORGET
WARNE KIDS HORSING AROUND with the Hurleys!
THE TWO FAMILIES STILL HAVE A TIGHT BOND