Dancing the Cinderella pas de deux at the end of my first year dancing full-time in 2006.
Just half of the many bouquets of flowers that filled my room during my early days in hospital. My room looked like a florist’s.
In hospital, when my fears became too much to handle, I’d give them to these tiny Guatemalan worry dolls, who kept my mind at ease.
My face and body would frequently swell with fluid. This photo was taken after I had a reaction to the plasmapheresis, which was minor compared to the many times I was covered from head to toe in hives.
A couple of days after my first permacath was inserted into my chest. Incredibly sore and tired, I tried hard to stay awake until somebody could take out the vascath in my neck that I no longer needed.
During my final days as a diploma student at the National College of Dance in December 2009.
Photo source: Bayliss family collection
An article from our local paper from 2010. I was incredibly excited the day we got funding for the plasmapheresis machine. It’s helped save so many lives.
My eighteenth birthday party had an Austin Powers theme. Pictured with me are my mum and dad and my sister, Phoebe.
Source: The Newcastle Herald
Performing the lead role of Clara in the contemporary version of The Nutcracker. America, 2010.
Photo source: Glenn Goettler
Dancing a solo role in a contemporary work by choreographer Sergei Vanaev. America, 2010.
Photo source: Glenn Goettler
A promotional shot for a contemporary work I performed in called G.R.A.B., choreographed by Gregor Thieler. America, 2010.
Photo source: Glenn Goettler
From my dance portfolio after my return from America in 2011.
Photo source: Terry Cullinane
Teaching a jazz workshop at the Sydney College of Dance in January 2015.
Photo source: Gregor Thieler
A dancer needs many pairs of pointe shoes: one for class, one for rehearsal, one for stage, a soft pair, a hard pair… the list goes on!
With some teeny-tiny ballerinas in December 2017 at the very first school I danced at in Port Macquarie.
Photo source: La Vive Studios
A 2016 acting portfolio shot.
Photo source: Amelia J. Dowd
Attending my very first Logie Awards for Doctor Doctor in 2017.
Photo source: Daniel Asher Smith
The Doctor Doctor cast attending our second Logie Awards in 2018. Our show was nominated for Most Popular TV Series and Most Outstanding TV Series. I felt very lucky to be there.
Photo source: Channel Nine
I promised myself that when I recovered I’d get outside and enjoy everything the world has to offer. So, in January 2019, I jumped out of a plane above Lake Taupo in New Zealand.
On my trip home to Port Macquarie in December 2018, where I was inspired to write this book.
A new creative outlet: writing! I spent so many months locked away from the world writing away at this little desk. Thank goodness for Uber Eats.
List of Illustrations
About to go to my first ballet lesson at just three years old.
A still from a contemporary piece I choreographed while completing my Certificate IV of Dance and Performance in 2007.
The Staged 08 program for Swan Lake and The Seven Deadly Sins. I was so excited to perform in this play, and was devastated I had to withdraw.
Straight after my audition at the Washington Ballet in 2008. I was on such a high and I had fallen in love with this place.
Dancing the Cinderella pas de deux at the end of my first year dancing full-time in 2006.
Just half of the many bouquets of flowers that filled my room during my early days in hospital. My room looked like a florist’s.
In hospital, when my fears became too much to handle, I’d give them to these tiny Guatemalan worry dolls, who kept my mind at ease.
My face and body would frequently swell with fluid. This photo was taken after I had a reaction to the plasmapheresis, which was minor compared to the many times I was covered from head to toe in hives.
A couple of days after my first permacath was inserted into my chest. Incredibly sore and tired, I tried hard to stay awake until somebody could take out the vascath in my neck that I no longer needed.
During my final days as a diploma student at the National College of Dance in December 2009.
An article from our local paper from 2010. I was incredibly excited the day we got funding for the plasmapheresis machine. It’s helped save so many lives.
My eighteenth birthday party had an Austin Powers theme. Pictured with me are my mum and dad and my sister, Phoebe.
Performing the lead role of Clara in the contemporary version of The Nutcracker. America, 2010.
Dancing a solo role in a contemporary work by choreographer Sergei Vanaev. America, 2010.
A promotional shot for a contemporary work I performed in called G.R.A.B., choreographed by Gregor Thieler. America, 2010.
From my dance portfolio after my return from America in 2011.
Teaching a jazz workshop at the Sydney College of Dance in January 2015.
A dancer needs many pairs of pointe shoes: one for class, one for rehearsal, one for stage, a soft pair, a hard pair… the list goes on!
With some teeny-tiny ballerinas in December 2017 at the very first school I danced at in Port Macquarie.
A 2016 acting portfolio shot.
Attending my very first Logie Awards for Doctor Doctor in 2017.
The Doctor Doctor cast attending our second Logie Awards in 2018. Our show was nominated for Most Popular TV Series and Most Outstanding TV Series. I felt very lucky to be there.
I promised myself that when I recovered I’d get outside and enjoy everything the world has to offer. So, in January 2019, I jumped out of a plane above Lake Taupo in New Zealand.
On my trip home to Port Macquarie in December 2018, where I was inspired to write this book.
A new creative outlet: writing! I spent so many months locked away from the world writing away at this little desk. Thank goodness for Uber Eats.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing this book has been an incredibly cathartic and often scary experience as I transported myself back to a time that I’ve tried hard to suppress. There are so many wonderful people I would like to thank for giving me the encouragement to keep writing and share my past with the world.
My agent Lisa Mann, thank you for having faith in my work. Without your continued support and hustle, I would not have found a home for this story at Pantera Press.
My publisher Lex Hirst and editor Lucy Bell. Thank you for taking a chance on me as a first-time writer and gently guiding me through this whole process. Lucy, you have been so kind, patient and giving every step of the way and I feel so lucky to have someone as wonderful as you helping me bring to life this story that is so close to my heart.
To the beautiful people at Pantera Press. I knew my words would be in safe hands from the moment I met you all. Your love and passion for this book has been overwhelming to experience. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have such a phenomenal group of people supporting me through this writing journey. Thank you.
Anabel Pandiella and Cath Lavelle. It’s one thing to write a book in the comfort of your own home and another thing to share it with the world. Nerve-racking! You have calmed my nerves and worked tirelessly to market and find a home for this book. I am forever grateful.
This book wouldn’t be possible without the interesting and wonderful characters who entered my life during my teenage years. You know who you are. I sincerely hope you are all happy with how I have presented you. It brought me so much joy to step back into the mind of a teenage Chloe and experience those beautiful relationships again.
Mawunyo Gbogbo, your enthusiasm and advice really encouraged me to keep writing… and rewriting!
To my beautiful family, friends and partner. You have all been
nothing short of amazing. I don’t know how you have all stuck around after taking so many calls from me as I check and double-check facts with you all. Thank you for picking up the phone every time and just being so damn wonderful. I love you all very much.
To Zac and Phoebe. The chaos surrounding my illness really turned your lives upside down at a time that should have been so special. I took precious moments away from both of you and for that I am sorry. I am so thankful for your love, support and resilience in keeping our family together and smiling when life got a little bit too hard. I am in awe of both of you. Thank you for encouraging me to share this story with the world.
And lastly. To Mum and Dad. It’s funny, I can write a whole book filled with words but when it comes to thanking you, I can’t seem to find words powerful enough to express the love I have for you both. You have stood by me and encouraged me to continue chasing my dreams no matter what life throws at me. I know it has been incredibly hard for you both to answer my constant questions. I know it causes you both so much pain to remember the things we all went through. So thank you for having the courage to share with me and re-live this time of our lives again.
I relied on plasma, blood and platelet donations to help
keep me alive. For more information, please visit the
Australian Red Cross Blood Service.
Australian Red Cross Blood Service: donateblood.com.au
If you would like more information about the medical
terms mentioned in this book, please visit:
Lupus Research Alliance: lupusresearch.org
HANKA—Hunter and Northern Kidney Association:
facebook.com/HANKApage
Mayo Clinic: mayoclinic.org
NORD—National Organization for Rare Disorders:
rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/thrombotic-thrombocytopenic-purpura
ABOUT CHLOE BAYLISS
Helpmann Award nominee and finalist in the prestigious 2016 Heath Ledger Scholarship, Chloe Bayliss is one of Australia’s most notable emerging actresses with numerous credits across stage and screen, including her role in the Logie Award nominated drama Doctor Doctor.
Chloe graduated from the National College of Dance with a Diploma of Dance and Performance, and her life as a dancer has taken her all over America. She now extends her knowledge to students and performers throughout Australia by taking workshops, teaching and judging dance scholarships.
Chloe’s love for storytelling began when she first stepped onto the stage at just three years old. Since then she has enjoyed entertaining people through dance, theatre, TV and film. She is now excited to share more of her stories through a different format—books!
As a patron of charity group HANKA and Red Cross Blood Service ambassador, Chloe hopes to spark conversation around a number of matters she is passionate about, using her own story of overcoming hardship to inspire and bring awareness to others living with ongoing medical conditions in Australia.
Keep up to date with Chloe online:
Instagram.com/chloebayliss5
Facebook.com/baylisschloe
Twitter.com/chloebayliss5
The information in this book is published in good faith and for general information purposes only. Although the author and publisher believe at the time of going to press that the information is correct, they do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether they result from negligence, accident or any other cause.
First published in 2019 by Pantera Press Pty Limited
www.PanteraPress.com
Text copyright © Chloe Bayliss, 2019
Chloe Bayliss has asserted her moral rights to be identified as the author of this work.
Design and typography copyright © Pantera Press Pty Limited, 2019
PanteraPress, the three-slashed colophon device, Lost the Plot, and sparking imagination, conversation & change are trademarks of Pantera Press Pty Limited
This book is copyright, and all rights are reserved.
We welcome your support of the author’s rights, so please only buy authorised editions.
Without the publisher’s prior written permission, and without limiting the rights reserved under copyright, none of this book may be scanned, reproduced, stored in, uploaded to or introduced into a retrieval or distribution system, including the internet, or transmitted, copied or made available in any form or by any means (including digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, sound or audio recording, and text-to-voice). This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent recipient.
Please send all permission queries to:
Pantera Press, P.O. Box 1989, Neutral Bay, NSW, Australia 2089 or [email protected]
A Cataloguing-in-Publication entry for this book is available from the National Library of Australia.
ISBN 978-1-925700-75-6 (Paperback)
ISBN 978-1-925700-76-3 (eBook)
Cover design: Christa Moffitt, Christabella Designs
Cover images and author photo: Erica Murray
Publisher: Lex Hirst
Editor: Lucy Bell
Proofreader: Tegan Morrison
eBook created by: DataNZ
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