Crawley comedian turns tragedy into comedy

In her new show, comedian Mel Moon tells how she nearly died of an undiagnosed illness, and nearly took her own life when the symptoms became unbearable.

An odd topic for comedy but, she says, some subjects are so tough that they are best tackled with humour.

“It’s too much for people to handle, which is why I’ve told the story as I did,” she said. “I had to lighten it up a bit, and fine tune the detail.

“When you’re laid in bed for two years, you just have your mind,” she said.

“It can either send you crazy, or you can spend your time planning, thinking about what you could do if you end up better.”

Mel’s Story:

“I was 33 years old and had spent the previous two years suffering from a mysterious disease causing my joints to dislocate at whim, my body to shut down mid cuppa, seeing the hot liquid wake me as it hit my thighs.

“I was so weak and was no longer able to work or look after my two small children. Yes, you read that correctly, I am a Mum. But I was suffering and I needed it to stop.

“They were suffering and terrified each time paramedics whisked away their screaming Mummy at 4am. It HAD to stop. Twenty-seven doctors in the North of England had dismissed me as crazy; it seemed there was no end to our hell. In 2012 we moved to West Sussex and my body finally gave out. I was finally diagnosed with a rare endocrine disease by East Surrey Hospital – my heroes. Still, the damage was done.”

Although there was no cure, and the disease could kill her at any time, doctors hoped to get the symptoms under control.

However, the treatments didn’t seem to help and Mel’s faith in the medical profession was at a low.

“So I became the youngest member of a euthanasia organisation and began planning my death, she said.

“During this time my specialist went on paternity leave and unbeknown to me was fighting to get me a drug he thought might help. He won and I gave it a go!

“Months later I began to feel stronger and, though not fixed, able to return to being a Mummy and a comedian.

“I didn’t think my story anything unique until I wrote an Edinburgh show about it called ‘Sick Girl’ and people were suddenly very interested.”

Looking back on her worst times, Mel said she struggles to get across the horror she was facing that led her to consider ending her life.

“I am grateful every day that I didn’t take that route,” she said, “and my children have no idea how close they came to losing their Mummy.

“Some may call me selfish; others may see that life isn’t always black and white. But to help you see why I didn’t do what I almost did, I would love it if you would come and see the show before it makes its way to Edinburgh in August.

“I am previewing in London on the 8th and 19th of July at the Museum of Comedy and the 26th at Leicester Square Theatre as well as Streatham comedy festival on the 9th.

“Writing this show is all I had when laid in hospital alone in the middle of the night with nothing but the breathing of the other patients for company. I had no Idea I would ever be well enough to perform it so it means the world to me that I can.

“East Surrey Hospital often sees bad press but I cannot thank the Endocrinology and Diabetes department for all the compassion and care they have shown me. Without which, this story could have had a very different ending.

“Sick Girl is looking for a sponsor who, in return, will be featured in all further publications, TV interviews and online.”

Sponsors can contact [email protected]

For tickets to the show email [email protected] or buy online.

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