Ep 3: 'I Never Told You This': Emilia & Slavka

Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before.

In episode three of ‘I Never Told You This’, Emilia and Slavka open up about what it’s like to care for a loved one through illness, and the moment you have to let go of the one person you’ve leaned on through it all.

Head to Medibank to learn more about the Family Roast card game that sparked the conversation.

The experiences shared and views expressed are those of the people featured and do not reflect the views of Medibank. This is not health advice. If you or someone you know needs help, you should always consult a trusted health professional. For further support and guidance, visit Medibank Mental Health. Or, if in need of immediate support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:11):
You're listening to a Muma Mia podcast.

Speaker 2 (00:14):
Mamma Maya acknowledges the traditional owners of the land and
waters that this podcast is recorded on.

Speaker 3 (00:20):
I'm a Shiny Dante, host of But Are You Happy?

Speaker 4 (00:24):
Did you know that.

Speaker 3 (00:24):
One in five Australians experience and mental health condition each year,
Yet too many suffer in silence. Talking about our feelings
and experiences is one of the most powerful steps towards
healing and knowing we're not alone. That's why we're introducing
I Never told You This, a series created to spark honest,
meaningful conversations that support better mental well being, brought to

(00:47):
you by Medibank.

Speaker 1 (00:49):
There's been a change, and I just feel as though
you rely on me a lot. I feel bad for leaving.

Speaker 4 (00:56):
Two people one big reveal.

Speaker 2 (00:58):
I never told you this A simple card game where
one question could change everything.

Speaker 4 (01:02):
It starts like, what more things brings me joy? I'm
not going to answer that.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Then comes the moment that could shift a relationship forever.
As they finished this sentence, I never told you this.

Speaker 4 (01:13):
I've never told you. They never told you this.

Speaker 2 (01:18):
Today, mother and daughter, Amelia and Slavka will be sitting
down together.

Speaker 1 (01:22):
My mom and I often have these conversations.

Speaker 4 (01:25):
Amelia has something big to tell her mother.

Speaker 1 (01:27):
It's always a little bit scary bringing something up hearing
her response. But I'm excited, welcome. So how are you feeling, Mum?

Speaker 5 (01:35):
Feeling a little bit nervous, which is normal.

Speaker 1 (01:37):
I think you know that I enjoy these types of conversations.
So now I'm to do keen to chat to you
about it in depth and in an environment where you
can't run away from me and not tell me that
you don't want to talk about it.

Speaker 4 (01:49):
That's true.

Speaker 6 (01:51):
I agree, that's not running.

Speaker 5 (01:53):
What is the game?

Speaker 1 (01:54):
The card game is called the Medibank Family Roast Cards,
and we're going to each take turns asking each other
some questions.

Speaker 5 (02:01):
Okay, let's do it.

Speaker 1 (02:02):
Okay, I'll go first. I'm going to pick up a
card and read the question. Now, tell us about an
embarrassing childchildhood memory.

Speaker 5 (02:11):
And I fell off the bike. We were showing off,
obviously as a teenager, so it was like a little
stupid competition. Do you have to close our eyes open
wide arms blinded? Down the hill? Nearly broke my knee
and everyone was laughing. There was a really embarrassing moment
for me. So tell me about an act of kindness
you remember me doing for you.

Speaker 1 (02:31):
You're an act of service month. If you could do
anything for us, you would do it.

Speaker 5 (02:36):
Oh, I want to always be there for my kids. Yes,
you definitely thank you, so it was good to know. Actually,
thank you, of.

Speaker 1 (02:43):
Course, And I'm sorry if I don't say it enough,
because I really do think that.

Speaker 3 (02:47):
The rest of this episode of I never told you
this right after the break.

Speaker 1 (02:53):
Now we're up to the big reveal. Okay, so the
card says I never told you this. Sorry, I'm getting
a bit of mere Sorry for a bit of backstory.
We know that I'm going to Europe very soon. I
bought a one way ticket, yes, but I've never told
you that. It's actually pretty hard for me to leave

(03:17):
because I feel almost guilty for going. So for a
bit of context, Obviously Dad passed away, and you know
he was sick for a very long time, but still
it was unexpected. And obviously you and I became really
really close.

Speaker 5 (03:33):
Even more closer.

Speaker 1 (03:34):
I wanted to be around you. I felt safe and comfortable,
and you really helped me heal and it was beautiful.

Speaker 5 (03:42):
We know.

Speaker 1 (03:42):
Since Dad passed away about a year and a half ago.
There's been a change, and I just feel as though
you rely on me a lot. I feel bad even
more so for leaving, and again I don't want to
feel that way. I feel like that is holding me back.
I think five years were really, really hard. He was
diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson's and see how did you

(04:06):
feel during that.

Speaker 5 (04:08):
I don't mind looking after That's something in my nature.
I believe it's I don't mind changing him and bathing
him and giving him medication. But the hardest thing is
to see him every days deteriorating and his health is
getting more and more sick. After I quit my work,
my job, and that was the hardest decision. I felt

(04:31):
like my freedom was taken away from me. At one stage,
I was thinking, how long is this going to last?

Speaker 6 (04:39):
Yes?

Speaker 5 (04:41):
Wow, At first I was feeling like, oh my gosh,
you know she's leaving me. How can she do that
to me? Those other things in my mind. I was
actually thinking, what if she feels that way, that's not good.
We have this good relationship and I don't want any
secrets between us, so I don't want you to feel
that way anymore. I'm kind of came with ease with that.

(05:04):
It is going to be hard for me without you,
but that's not fair to not let you go just
because I need to hold you next to me. I
left my mum too, I went for another life, and
she didn't say why you're going.

Speaker 1 (05:18):
Honestly, I'm actually pleasantly surprised by your response, But in
saying that, I could sense that you were feeling a
little bit more at ease, because initially, when you remember,
when I would mention me booking I was angry. I
would often get the response off I talk.

Speaker 6 (05:33):
About it, you would just walk away, And that was
honestly pretty hard for me because I've often been the
sort of holder or the safety in that of our
family family, and it's a lot of weight to carry.

Speaker 5 (05:51):
I have to, as I said, give you my blessing
and let you go. And you do need to follow
your dreams.

Speaker 1 (06:01):
Thank you so much mum for sharing.

Speaker 5 (06:03):
Oh thank you for inviting me. You know how much
I love you.

Speaker 1 (06:06):
Are we going to hug each other.

Speaker 5 (06:08):
I have to hug you now and