Donald Trump, Drug Prices, and Tiny Cakes of Joy
So there I was, riding high after last week's milestone — six stone down, feeling strong, hydrated, moisturised, unbothered... basically living my best life — when out of nowhere…
Donald. Bloody. Trump.
Now I can honestly say, of all the things I thought might derail my mood this week — the price of courgettes, grey roots, the lack of a spa appointment — a Mounjaro-related Donald Trump headline was not on my bingo card.
💸 What’s Happening with Mounjaro?
In case you missed it (or wisely avoid the chaos that is U.S. politics), news broke this week that Eli Lilly — the lovely folks who make Mounjaro — are planning to hike the wholesale price by 170% as of 1st September.
Yes, you read that correctly:
ONE. HUNDRED. AND. SEVENTY. PERCENT. 😳
That puts some of the higher doses at over £330 per pen – before pharmacy markups.
I mean… seriously?!
Cue panic. Cue Twitter (sorry, X) meltdowns. Cue pharmacy websites freezing. Cue… me refreshing my order page like a woman trying to grab Glastonbury tickets.
💥 Pharmacies have already paused ordering.
💥 No one knows what the new pricing will be.
💥 The forums are in absolute meltdown.
And here I am with just a few doses left, gripping my pen like Gollum stroking The One Ring.
"My precious…"
🧘 Deep Breaths and (Temporary) Acceptance
I’ve come too far to panic now.
I’ve had a relatively smooth ride on Mounjaro — minimal side effects, consistent weight loss, and more importantly… I’ve started becoming the version of me I always hoped was still in there.
👉 So, I’m choosing not to spiral.
👉 I’m going to wait until September.
👉 I’ll review the facts, not the fear.
Would I be heartbroken to stop? Yes.
Am I going to make any rushed decisions? Absolutely not.
We’ve done hard things before, and we’re not giving up now. 💪
🧁 A Gentle Reminder of What Really Matters
In more personal — and infinitely more important — news, we visited my sister-in-law this week.
She’s recently been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and sadly, there are no treatment options left.
We spent the afternoon putting together an impromptu Afternoon Tea — little sandwiches, tiny cakes from Cutter & Squidge, fruity macaroons, warm scones with clotted cream. ✨
Yes, the cakes weren’t great for the diet.
Yes, I still tracked my weight this week.
But you know what?
Those few hours meant everything.
Tiny bites of sweetness. Beautiful, quiet moments. Memories, not macros.
And that, truly, is the heart of this journey — learning to live, really live, while still looking after yourself.
📓 Journaling Prompt:
✍️ What is this journey really about for me?
✍️ How can I honour my health and still make space for joy, connection, and real life?
(You’re not here to be perfect. You’re here to live your life. Progress with kindness is the real goal.)
🧾 Weekly Recap
✂️ Haircut & colour? ✅ Fresh vibes unlocked
🏢 Trip to the office? ✅ Still not a morning person
🍰 Cake? ✅ With zero regret
⚖️ Weight loss this week: 1lb — because apparently, stress burns calories 😅
🦋 Final Thought
Yes, the Mounjaro price hike is worrying.
Yes, the uncertainty sucks.
But I’ve built something stronger than a prescription — I’ve built habits, perspective, and self-trust.
And no price tag can take that away.
Here’s to weathering the storm — one week, one pen, one deep breath at a time.
Helen x
