Wishing You The Merriest Of Christmas's & A Freaking Fantastic New Year...

I just thought I would write a very short & sweet blog before the hubby comes home as I don't know when I will next have the chance to wish you a Merry Christmas.

Things seem to be ticking along smoothly for now, I have been stressed (especially this morning) with constant blood tests & communications with Harefield due to my tacro levels being too low, but I am grateful that is all that seems to be going pete tong lately... Hopefully as long as both parties are on the ball, I should still be able to enjoy what I hope to be a fabulous festive period.

I have a busy week after today, meeting up with friends & getting the big christmas food & drink shop done with Stefan on Friday. He finishes that day from work & we have 12 wonderful days together which I really cannot wait for! He so deserves a break! We are going to take Christmas Day as it comes, we hope to stroll into town for a festive drink or three & then come home to cook, chill & be merry!

We will be seeing family either side the christmas day as usual & hope to spend some time with some good friends throughout. We haven't even thought about New Year's yet, as I've said before I think the night is very over rated, as long as you are with who you want to be I think that's all that matters....

So how do I sum up this year? It hasn't in all honestly been what I thought it would be, but nobody ever know's whats around the corner. I have had some very scary moments, but I have come through them even stronger & more determined. Whatever has been thrown at us, has also made Stefan & I all the more solid as a couple. He truely is the best thing that has ever happened to me & I am blessed to call him my best friend, let alone my loving husband.

My Whole World

I have made some incredible friendships & spent time with some beautiful people I hold very dear to my heart. Sadly, we have also lost some great people, I cannot bare to think what their famililes will be going through at this time of year, especially those with children. I will be thinking of them & sending them all my love this Christmas, as well as my beautiful girl Kerry who is still desperately waiting for her transplant call & is gravely ill. If I could have a Christmas wish I know what it would be...

We have had lots of new snake baby additions & also sadly lost some. They are still the best thing in my life, my absolute passion & bring me so much happiness. I have had good times with some great friends & also lost touch with a few which has surprised me, but that's life I guess, you are constantly learning, growing & changing. I became a very proud godmother to the most beautiful little girl & also raised a lot of money for my local CF charity EDCF, from a tiny idea in my head, then making it into a reality that went down a storm. (Total figure to be announced in the next blog!)

I feel extremely lucky to be sat here writing this to you, I know I have said it several times before, but thanks to the kind & selfless act of a wonderful gentleman that I will never have the pleasure of meeting, I am here, breathing in deeply, walking up & downstairs & so bloody excited for the next week or so I can't even express! My baubles for both him & his family are pride of place & shining brightly on my Christmas Tree & I will be toasting to them all on Christmas Day.

I really am excited for the next year ahead, I don't have much planned right now but my heart & soul tell me things will be going right & it'll be one to remember (for all the right reasons!) so this is where I will be signing off...

To each & everyone of you who has supported me throughout the year, followed my progress, bought my charity bags & been fantastic friends & family.... Have the most amazing Christmas & all the very best, in love, luck health & happiness for 2014.

I will see you on the other side. All my love, Kimberley xxx

Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx

Feeling Accomplished & Forever Grateful

So my last couple of Charity bags will be going to their new homes by the end of this week & then they are all gone. 50 of them. I am so chuffed, (& relieved!!) With the amount collected in from the bags themselves, a few bits I sold that were donated by my friend Hayley, & the cost of the bags & some of the contents deducted, I have rasied a massive £415 for EDCF!!!!
Put that together with the Halloween bags amount & I have raised a whopping £600 in just under two months for EDCF - Quality Of Life Fund. I am so so proud, I really can't thank you guys enough for all your support in my projects. To my special dearest friends for helping me out with some of the contents & the brilliant people who then went ahead & bought them. From the bottom of my heart thank you, you have really helped me achieve what I set out to do. I will be posting out a cheque to EDCF soon as the last of the monnies are collected this week. I really hope that it will come to some great use for fellow CF families around Devon.

This Makes My Day!

Happy Children With Their Goodie Bags!

Other than delivering my bags or meeting people to have them collected, I have been spending time catching up with friends who I haven't seen in a while since my fundo op & recovery & it's done me the world of good.

Hayley & I Messing About In Matalan

Cute With Bunches! LOL

I love having girlie time with my closest friends, a cuppa & a gossip can make you feel on top form again. My bullet wounds are healing well & I am eating reasonably ok. I am introducing a mixture of foods back into my diet but just very small quantities, as it doesn't take long for me to get full & bloated, but I am getting there slowly.

Me & My Beautiful God Daughter, Honor

Love This Girlie So Much xxx

We have exactly two weeks today to Christmas & I am getting very excited. Stefan & I are going to take the day as it comes but hoping to go for a drink or two with some friends late morning then come home to cook, drink & chill together for the rest of the day. We are intending to see family Christmas Eve & Boxing Day as our usual 'tradition'. I really can't wait for Stefan to finish work for Christmas, he has a good amount of time off to relax & I enjoy his company so much. We have been really enjoying the weekends & evenings together recently, thankfully because my health hasn't been too much of an issue (& I really hope it continues that way) we haven't had too much to stress & worry about which makes all the difference.

Chase Soaking Me! Playing With Bubbles :)

It's coming to that time where I have been looking back at this year which has seemed to have flown by, & thinking how lucky I have been. To be honest I haven't had the greatest of months, I have spent more time in Harefield than at home, had both my kidneys & heart fail on me. But I still came back fighting & as often as I may have had my down moments, I am alive & kicking. I am walking about without oxygen & if it wasn't for that angel that saved my life, I wouldn't be here today writing to you. I wouldn't be spending time with friends & making future plans with my soul mate. I absolutley love my life & can't express how grateful I feel.

I hope to write again just before Christmas & wish you all an amazing time, So until then.... Enjoy the festivites & look after one another.

My Zante Wishing You A Merry Christmas!

Happy 56th Birthday Mum xxx
Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx

Got The Kick Ass Back In Kimberley!

My last post wasn't a very happy one, but I'm pleased to tell you that I have come on leaps & bounds since writing it!

I am still recovering from the fundo, but slowly bit by bit I am introducing different foods back into my diet. I was fed up of taking pain killers so stopped them, cold turkey. I instantly felt abit better. I was so pleased when I was able to drink my first cup of tea. Swallowing tablets isn't too much of an issue now as long as I do it slowly & one at a time, I am hoping that this may improve, as I used to swallow my creon 6 tablets at a time because I take so many with food, it gets abit frustrating!

Anyway, as long as I chew the crap out of my food & slowly eat it, I don't seem to be having too much hassle. All be it very small portions, (toddler / children sized meals) because I fill up so quickly, but I have managed soups, hotdog sausage & noodles, over the weekend, a chicken parcel wrapped in bacon & saute potatoes & even a small roast! I was even able to slowly eat a slice of cheese & tomato on toast when my friend Darren took me to lunch on Friday - I was so chuffed! I am really hoping that I get to enjoy my Christmas treats now without too much pain!

On Thursday I had my trip to Harefield, I went along with my Ladylungs for company & also CFer Neil was attending too - Dave & I went to visit Keith & Mandy who were on the ward at the time (I put my head round Janka's door as well but she was fast asleep) The clinic started really early & again I got to see my consultant, who was really chuffed that I was recovering ok & apparently looking 'so well' - He took me off my fungal antibiotic which means I need to have blood tests very frequently for the next few weeks because my tacro levels will plummet & need increasing, but after a little talk I chanced my luck & asked if I could be seen in the New Year... He agreed & after giving him a little chocolate treat for Christmas we both left the room smiling! I was so pleased I brought in some goodies for all the staff as I really do not wish (in the nicest way possible) to see them until the first week in January!

On Sunday my sister held a charity christmas coffee morning & craft sale at Follaton hall in Totnes, I got there a little early, helped set up & then helped out at the cake table for an hour until I was too tired & went home to rest. It was a great success & she made £322.02 towards her trek in aid of Live Life Then Give Life.

Chocolate Christmas Pudding Cookies I Made For The

Charity Coffee Morning

Yesterday I had my first lot of bloods taken for my levels, then went to see Dave & Marie until my appointment at Exeter to have the horrible corflo tube in my tummy changed back to my little mickey button. I was so relieved when it was done, just another step in the healing process & made me feel a lot better in myself.

A Gorgeous Tree Decoration

Sent To Me By My Special Friends

Sarah & Ros xxx

My charity bags have gone down brilliantly, I only have 9 left & will put another facebook post up later in the week to let people know. I am very grateful to all those who have supported me & bought a couple, thank you.

It's the 3rd December today & I really hope that other than a few blood tests, I have seen the back of any hospitals this year. I have the next couple of weeks to really get into the festive spirit, enjoy seeing some special friends & then hopefully have a perfect crimbo. None of which would be possible if it wasn't for my donor. xxx

My Gorgeous Husband / Soul Mate & Best

Friend - Selfie As Joey Essex!

Can't Wait To Spend Christmas With You...

Until next time...

Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx

Photo Originally Taken For The LLTGL Calendar

Which Sadly Is No Longer Happening (Long Story)

Thunder & I As April ! Photography By Steve Bennellick!

May 2013

Down In The Dumps

This morning is no different to the last eleven mornings. I dread them. I have just swallowed two paracetamol & immediately had a ball of pain travel from the top of my stomach to my chest, to my throat & vomited back up.

I had the fundo op last Monday (11th) I won't go into huge detail, but it was one of the worst hospital experiences I have ever encountered, they wouldn't let me see my husband when I had come out of theatre, I was put on an open bay when my pre op paperwork stated I would need a sideroom due to being immeuno suppressed (& CF) & they messed me around from start to finish. I don't like to complain but as soon as I feel a bit better I will be writing a letter of complaint to PALS, it won't do anything for me, but might stop this happening to future patients under their care.

The operation itself was a success to the point were I was told it would likely to be open surgery & I'd loose my mickey (feeding tube) - Instead Prof Hanna was a star & took hours doing it, but was able to do the fundo via keyhole & also keep my tube. I have six cuts (all extremely sore!) but it's neat. During the whole messy / frustrating admission, I was eventually taken back to Harefield to be seen in clinic but as they had no way for me to get home I was admitted under their care for the night until the following day (during the time they arranged another ultrasound which showed I still had blood clots & restarted my warfarin which I had to stop five days before the procedure) I finally got home around 8.30pm last Thursday evening, I was so happy to be home, but the recovery & pain was far from over...

My Patch Work Quilt !

As I told you previously, the recovery period states you must have soft / fork mashable food for around 6 weeks, no fizzy drinks, no bread & such like. I NEVER realised that drinking would be such a problem. Still to this day I am unable to drink a full drink, (cup of tea or glass of juice) The first night after my operation Prof Hanna had me take all my tablets that were due, I followed instruction & swallowed one by one with some water, piece of piss. The next day however was awful, of course the morphine had worn off by then & I had to take painkillers orally, it was excruicating.

Ever since then each day has been a challange & I just wish that the next day is better.... Think of the worst heartburn pain you can think of, or how you have trapped wind so badly, all you want to do is belch .... That's me pretty much 24/7 right now. I was told that you wouldn't be able to 'be sick ' or 'burp' but that's all I seem to be doing at the moment. The last few day's have been one step forward, two steps back for me, I was able to drink some hot white chocolate & have a few spoonfuls of spaghetti hoops a few evenings ago, I was so proud of myself (sad isn't it?) but the following day I couldn't eat a thing. I think I may have picked up a 24/48 sickness bug on top if it all as I was vomiting everything up from a sip of juice to taking a tablet & I had a temperature. (Harefield were notified) My temp is fine again now but as you can see from my opening sentence, I still haven't mastered the 'not bringing up my tablets part' & I've lost 4kg in a week. Opp's.

I must admit, I have been very tearful over the last 10 days, I kind of feel really stupid for it as I know have been through so much worse, but I never thought this would be so hard & I have felt utterly miserable. Especially when my amazing man is at work during the day & friends have their own lives to live. I'm sat here barely able to lift myself off the sofa because of these friggeing wounds in my front, being sick into a tissue which then spills out onto my slippers! (Nice visual for you there) I was really down at the weekend, so my wonderful hubby helped me put up my Christmas decorations, I know it's early but it's put a smile on my face & he doesn't care. He'd do anything to make me smile & it really did, for a few short hours I could forget about the pain. I know that patience is the key, it's still early day's, I've been told this can last around 2/3 week's so I just need to keep perservering, I'm sure I will get there. I just wish that it was sooner rather than later, with Christmas around the corner, I'm missing out on all the treats leading up to it. The Christmas market starts soon & I won't even be able to have the lush pork bap & crackling that I do every year... NEVER take the small things for granted, you really shouldn't. a chicken sandwich & a hot sweet cup of tea, it may not seem like much, but to me at the moment it's what I would call heaven & when I finally get to eat one you'll all know about it, believe me!

My Little Christmas Grotto

Just before I go I thought I would let you know that over the last few days I made the finishing touches to my EDCF Christmas Goodie bags (another thing which took my mind of this miserable pain) & put them up for sale on my facebook. I have already sold more than my halloween bags so thank you so much for your support! There are a few more left, so if you'd like one or two please do get in touch! They are £10 each & all profits go towards EDCF - Quality Of Life Fund.

Contents are as follows; - Santa Hat ~ Christmas Card ~ Santa Key (to hang on your door & light the way for Santa on Christmas eve) ~ Toy ~ Reindeer Food (to sprinkle outside on Christmas eve) ~ Temporary Tattoo ~ Decorate Your Own Sun Catcher ~ Eraser ~ Jingle Bell ~ Mini Cracker ~ Bubble Sticker ~ 2013 Bauble ~ Mini PomPom Wreath ~

57 Mini PomPom Wreaths I Made

For Children's Bedroom Door's or Their Tree 

^ I never want to see another 'pompom' again ! But honestly. I had so much fun making them & I hope to raise double the amount for EDCF this time round - thank you for everyone's support!

Reindeer Food I Made (Edible Glitter & Bird Food)

Hayley's Santa Keys

My Hand Decorated Christmas Goodie Bags

Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx

9/11/2013 One Of The Last Amazing Meals I Had, My Kimmy

Treated Me To @ The Steam Packet - Bread & Dipping Oil,

Pan Fried Chicken / Chorizo & Saute Potatoes & Crème Brule  

Lush........

My So'Co & Finally, The Fundo ...

For the first time since keeping snakes, Stefan & I had to say goodbye to one of our beautiful babies as they suddenly passed away over the weekend a few weeks back. It's incredibly sad to loose any pet, but to loose my very first baby was just heartbreaking. We are not sure why it happened, I can only think that it must have been something beyond our control as we would have had him seen too if we knew it would result in his death. I woke up on Saturday morning, checked on them all as usual but found my beautiful boy had died over night. I was inconsolable. I felt like I had somewhat failed him, he wasn't old, only 3 & a half. However, some people have told me that I did everything I could & it wouldn't have been avoided. I don't know if they are just trying to make me feel better about the situation but it's been hard. I kept myself busy all over that weekend making my Christmas Goodie Bags, stopping every few minutes to break down in tears, it was bloody hard, but as we all know life goes on. We decided to bury him on the Sunday morning, but soon as I was back I had to clean his viv out as it was too hard to look at.

Stefan & I aren't stupid, we keep a lot of snakes as you all well know & will hopefully have our first successful breeding season this year. We know that we will come across losing a snake more than once, it's sadly apart of life but it doesn't make it any easier. Especially how much I love them & how they are the biggest part of my life (along with the husband of course!)

One of my other beautiful babies won me a Halloween Competition just a few days later. I usually change my profile picture on facebook to represent anything seasonal & I was playing with some of my halloween decorations one morning & took a few pictures with Kenya, my desert royal, slithering amongst them. It looked really cool so I entered it into a few competitions online & I won one on the snake groups in fb!! The prize was a picture of my choice printed onto something like a t-shirt / mug / placemat & such like. I knew exactly who's picture to have, my beloved So'Co. It felt only right, I am having it printed on a t shirt & he will hang pride of place above all the other babies watching over them. 

Kenya - The Picture That Won The Competition!

 

RIP My beautiful boy - you will NEVER be forgotten & you will NEVER be replaced. xxxx

My So'Co

The following weekend was really nice, we saw the exotic girls for a nice catch up & takeaway on the Friday, it had been ages so it was nice to just chill out with them & have a natter, even though they took the piss out of our Pumpkin carvings! The Saturday I got to see Jo, Mason & my goddaughter, Honor who is growing far too quickly for my liking & then we went to visit Stef's auntie & uncle for an hour or two. Sunday morning was very chilled at home & then we went to my friend Kim's who was cooking us an amazing roast - I had such a lovely afternoon, I hadnt seen her brother for years & we both met his girlfriend that day, we had a few games on the x box & watched a few cheesey Sunday films, the food was lush!! (Well Done Kimmy) The company even better. I left their house with that warm fuzzy feeling inside, I love having special time with people who you know want to spend that time with you... I'm a sucker for making memories, give me that over presents any day.

Sunday 3rd November @ Kim's!

I have also been able to catch up with Sarah & Munchkin Leo, Hayley & Chase & my special friends Dave & Marie - Spending time at their house is great, they make me feel like one of the family, I feel so relaxed & we always have a good giggle.

So now I come onto the boring medical part! After week's of nagging / chasing / tears / tantrums & losing my hair, I have my fundo operation date!! Today is Friday.... They rang me on Wednesday afternoon... & I am to be at St Mary's for 7am on Monday! Nothing like short notice hey?! But I can't complain, it's finally happening. I won't lie to you, I am slightly shitting myself, the operation doesn't worry me. I have had a double lung transplant & I have made no secret about my heart scare in July actually being worse then the recovery of my new lungs... I think I can take whatever pain they throw at me. It's the 'after' part that I know I won't enjoy.

Everyone is different, I have met & spoken to several people that have had the fundo - The team say basically you are meant to have a six week liquid diet afterwards & that you may still have difficulty eating some foods as they get stuck / can't digest. I know some people who still can't digest bread & potatoes, but some that have no problem at all & are eating everything as normal. I of course won't know how I will be until after the procedure. I really wanted to enjoy Christmas so really hope & pray that I will come on leaps & bounds with recovery & not have too many problems. They have told me because of my stomach complications that it will be 'open' surgery & not keyhole, however, they have told that to a few people before & once they have gotten into theatre, found they could do it with ease, so it'll be a mega bonus if I do wake up to find they haven't had to reopen my tummy scar (I know that will be a lot more painful unfortunately) At the end of the day I have now been waiting for this operation for five months & it's now happening, I need it, there's no question about it - I want to 'get better' so despite what happens afterwards I just need to suck it up, stay positive & for me, most importantly, fight to come home again as soon as possible....

I love my food so the next six weeks plus will be bloody hard for me, I really feel for Stef as no doubt he will get the brunt of my moodiness & I can't help but be a complete bitch sometimes, even though I try not to, you aways take it out on those you love! I just need to keep focused & think this will all help me in the long run. I may even loose some of this horrible weight I have gained & fit into a nice slimming christmas dress! Until Monday.... Starting from now, I am going to be stuffing the hole in my face with as much as I possibly can, & where possible, my favourite foods too ! Lamb, Potatoes, Bread, Crackling! Who knows, if or when I will be able to eat them again! Hopefully the latter...

I will keep you posted as much as I can with how everything goes. As soon as I return home, my Christmas bags will be going on sale! Yes, I have finished them already! I would have put them up for sale this weekend, but as I am being admitted on Monday there really is no point as I won't be able to meet people / deliver or send off in the post - I am super excited about my bags, I have had so much fun making them & I think they are even better than the halloween ones!! I have even made double the amount this time so people who missed out on the ones before can hopefully grab one or two this time round - They will be selling for £10 a bag this time & I hope to make double what I did for EDCF when I made the spooky goodies. Pictures & details of contents will be on my facebook very soon.....

A Certificate From EDCF For My Money Raising Efforts!

Our Pumpkin's! Crocodile & Snake!

(For Exeter Exotics Pumpkin Carving Comp)

So that's about it, I have 3 days of eating to be getting on with! Until next time, I hope you all have a lovely weekend & stay safe....

Thunder & I 1st Nov 2013

Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx

Kind & Selfless Acts

The human race can be a funny thing. Since having my transplant I have become incredibly intolerable of most people. I was & still am very sensitive, but something in me has awoken & I won't allow myself to be walked over like a doormat or mugged off like I did so many times in the past.
I've had so called friends come & go, but the true ones have stuck by my side even if I don't see them from one month to the next. I have also made some incredible bonds with some special people during the journey since my transplant too. People that just like me, have been through the recovery / the physical pain & the emotional torture.
This brings me to tell you about two wonderful things that have happened to me in the last week, down to two kind hearted, genuine lovely people, who frankly these days I think we all have problems trying to find...
After posting my blog 'Proud & Privilaged' last week, I soon had a private message come through from a lovely lady that I used to see when I visited the opticians which sadly moved towns earlier this year. Margaret had sent me a beautiful letter after I received my double lung transplant & we've kept in touch ever since through my blog & the world of facebook. I was so overwhelmed by this message I just had to share....

Hi Kimberley - I have just read your blog - you amaze me with your courage. I really admire you setting to and making Halloween bags to raise money - it would be so easy to sit around and be depressed and sorry for yourself, but you never do. I have had a sudden inspiration - when I do minor repairs to specs I don't usually make a charge if it's a frame I have supplied or it I have just used a screw driver to tighten a screw, or a bit of heat to adjust a frame. Sometimes people ask if I have a charity box - and yes. I do collect small amounts which I donate to the charity I choose at the time. I have just been and had a count up and I have got 45.00 which I would like to pass on to you for your charity.

It really did bring tears to my eyes to think that little ol' me could provoke such an amazing selfless act - A few days later, I received a beautiful card in the post wishing me A Happy Halloween & a cheque for £50 to go towards EDCF with the rest of my money from my charity bags. I was absolutely bowled over.... Can't thank you enough Margaret !!!!
Not only did I get more money to put towards my charity this week, but Stefan & I also enjoyed a rare night out seeing a well known comedian. (As you will know, we love to go to live shows, we've been to see Jimmy Carr several times & Mickey Flannigan back in March) I received a text from my CF physio saying that they had been donated two tickets by some parents who's daughter had CF to a show on Wednesday just gone & that they had thought Stef & I would like to go, & that my fellow cfer Neil had said I needed cheering up & basically 'nominated' me for the tickets. The comedian was Russell Brand. I was chuffed to bits, that 1) we could be possibly going to see him live & 2) that my team & Neil had thought so kindly of us to think we deserved to go. I replied hastily & said that we would love to & she replied that she would make arrangement of the delivery of the tickets....

Where We Were Sat

A few days later, I heard the door go, but it wasn't the postman. Funny I thought, the family can't have driven all the way here to deliver personally & especially so early in the morning? I opened it up & began to read the letter. Unfortunately the family were too poorly to go to the show themselves, they had all come down with the flu type bug & their daughter at the time had just been admitted which is why Jess didn't knock on the door & hand them over personally because of the risks. The letter said how pleased they were for us to be able to have the tickets & make a night of it & then explained that we were virtually neighbours!! Although they haven't been there long & are due to move again very soon they literally live just a few doors away from me & I never knew!! What a funny world it is... I replied straight away & put a letter of huge thanks through their door & then a few hours later we became friends on facebook so we could keep in touch.
It wasn't long before the night came round, Stef & I made our way to Plymouth & got seated - We had really good seats too - Bang in the middle on the floor quite close to the stage (& I took my specs anyway as I'm so fecking blind these days!) Russell soon came on & before he started the show he came down to the floor & walked around us all, sitting on blokes laps, giving girls a hug & signing one ladies breasticles.... !! He was brilliant, off his absolute nut at times, but so intelligent too - I laughed so much I was crying & holding my legs crossed at one point! It was an amazing night & I can't thank Jessica & her husband enough for giving us the chance to have a lovely night out together. Another incredible selfless act. Thank you!!!

Stefan & I At Russell Brand

23 / 10 / 2013

Just goes to show that although about 85% of the population may piss you off immensely, there are a few gems out there that make things all worth while...
Finally, before I go & leave you to this wonderfully wet day, I am off to post a very important cheque today to Susan at EDCF - Quality Of Life Fund. The total amount written for £185. This includes Margaret's £50 that she very kindly donated in the week. I was told to deduct all my expenses from the cost of making the bags, but this time I have only taken half, as I wanted to contribute to the fund myself... I am for once, extremely proud of myself for being able to achieve something I set out to do. I hoped that it would bring some smiles to children's face's & I hoped to raise a bit of money to help someone in their hour of need just like EDCF have helped me in the past - It's not £1000's but it's a small step in the right direction & just a little thank you from me. It's not the end either. I am now in the swing of making my Christmas goodie bags & hope to make more this time so the next cheque will be even bigger....

My Cheque For EDCF!!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend & stay safe....

Completely irrelevant to the blog, but thought I would show you a picture of my loo!

Please don't worry, this is STICKER I got this week! Unlike many people on facebook I hope you would know I would never put my snake babies down the crapper!

Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx

Proud & Privilaged :)

As much as my lovely husband stayed away from me with his lurgy it was enevitable that within time I caught it & it went straight to my chest! For a few days I was sore & bunged up & then the problems really started with my lung function dropping even lower & just constant crap being brought up everytime I coughed. I of course notified Harefield which I will move onto shortly... But I increased my nebs & did everything I could to stop myself from getting any worse, my lung function is now below a litre (32%) but has remained like this for the last few days & I feel better in myself although still very productive. I remain at home so I am happy.

On Sunday 6th October I became god-mummy to the beautiful Honor Abigail Shine. It was a small & intimate affair & I was extremely grateful to have been giving the privilage of such an important role in a young girl's life.... We all had a lovely afternoon including Honor after her snooze!

My Gorgeous God Daughter

A few day's later I finally completed all my Halloween Charity Bags, Stefan helped me make them up the night before & then I put the link & picture up on facebook for them to be bought & sold....

Halloween Bunting - Nicola

Sock Owls! Hayley

 Halloween Bags - Me

Spider Tealights (Alternative Pumpkin) - Me

Trick Or Treat Bags - Nicola & Myself

 

My Children's Halloween Bags (Contents) In Aid Of

EDCF - Quality Of Life Fund

I was completely overwhelmed with how well they did. After only a few minutes I was getting inboxes of orders, as the numbers went up I started to worry - I only made 25! I wasn't sure how well they would be recieved & didn't want anything to go to waste so this was a trial as it were. About 2 hours later I had sold out & was still getting messages asking if I had any left. I was so pleased but disappointed that I hadn't made more & was letting people down. There wasn't anything I could do about it now, I just had to promise people that if for some reason someone didn't collect & pay for their bags then they would go to the next person in line. The following morning I woke up to even more messages asking for them! I just couldn't believe it!

As the bags started arriving at their new homes, I was slowly tagged in photo's day by day showing the children enjoying the gruesome goodies. I was so bloody pleased that something so small could bring such excitment, but it's exactly what I set out to achieve. I have only 3 bags left here now (all allocated for & to be collected next week) & once they are gone I can then send EDCF a cheque. I have been told off by several people regarding the expenses & making sure I take out what I spent etc but I did want to give something back for all the help they have given me over the last god knows how many years.... I should at least have raised £150 this time round once they are all paid for. For only a few week's work & some huge dedication & help from a couple of people (Hayley for her Sock Owls which were a MASSIVE hit, Nicola for the amazing bunting & helping me make the trick or treat bags, Dave for my stencils which I panicked so much about & Alley for the donation of paints) I think I really did achieve what I hoped for & for once felt really quite proud of myself. I really hope EDCF can benefit from the money I am able to give them, even though it's a small amount, I am sure it'll come to some use somewhere & be able to help some family just like me when they are in their hour of need.

I am now already putting the ideas together for my Christmas ones, & I will be making more than 25 this time! Here are some lovely pictures of the children & their Halloween bags!

Our Nephew Jack With His Headband

Kaci & Her Goodies

Erynn & Her Headband :)

Megan, Kate & Jay :)

Chase Having Fun !

 

 

Kyle Looking All Devilish!

Last Friday Dave (our dearest Ladylungs) came down to Totty & brought along our good friend Keith who was staying with him for the weekend. Keith had a heart transplant & lives very close to Harefield, he has been a huge help to Stef & I when I am in hospital, visiting me often, bringing me things I need & also letting Stef stay at his when he visits me which has been an absolute god send. They took me out to have a lovely lunch at the Steam Packet after we had been to see Neil & his mum briefly to collect something. It was really great to see them both again & have a good catch up! Keith went home on Sunday but it won't be long before he's visiting again - he's trying to eat his way through the Westcountry & I have a few more places he can try out ;)

Neil (double lung) Keith (heart) Me!(double lung) & Dave (double lung)

 

 

Four Moon Faced Transplantees !

On Sunday I packed for Harefield, (they had prevously called on the Thursday before asking me to be seen as my lung function had dropped) I was fully expecting not to come home so added extra things in just in case they kept me in for a bronch or iv's. I saw my consultant again on Monday afternoon after having a good giggle with some fellow tx patients during our wait, it always makes the day go so much quicker when you have good company. Dr Carby said that I was doing everything I possibly could to keep my chest as well as possible & as my lung function had remained stable although incredibly low he didnt see a reason for me to come in as was already on a high dose of pred & antibiotics. We are getting infuriated with how long the wait is now for the fundo op & he has told me to leave it with him & he would get back to me this week after he has spoken to St Mary's. So I just left it at that & was extremely happy to be on my way home.

Today is Friday & I am yet to hear anything, from anyone. However, I know how the hospital & team works, today is 'bronch' morning as yesterday was clinic again, so I am giving him the benefit of the doubt & going to call him first thing next week if I have not heard anything. For the time being, although I feel a little rough & my breathing is more taxing, I am still happy, I am alive. I am not on oxygen & my beautiful donor has given me this chance which I will never take for granted. I intend to do what I bloody well can for as long as I can .... I am not going to sit about feeling sorry for myself!!

I have a lovely weekend with Stefan (although the weather looks revolting & sounds like it'll piss down 24/7) but who cares, I get to spend the days with my favourite person in the whole world ... & next week I have some lovely days planned with some special friends so lots of things to look forward to hopefully...

Hope you all have a lovely weekend & stay safe....

Thank you as always for taking the time to read. xxx