Crocodiles Of The World - Harefield & Turning 30

This time last week Stefan & I were sat down to breakfast in the Duckington Farm B&B I had booked for his birthday trip in Oxford. We had the most amazing twenty four hours together, I can't believe we are already a week on :(

We left our house just after 10am on the Wednesday, I had to call into my pharmacy to pick up an emergency prescription because after stopping one of my medications on Monday in preparation for my impedance test at Harefield this week I was suffering from awful acid reflux (heartburn / burning throat) & I really didn't want it to ruin our trip, especially as I had booked a nice meal for that evening. The trip wasn't bad, I had prepacked some nice baguettes for us to save spending stupid money at the services & Stef only stopped once for his Costa Coffee fix. We finally arrived at our B&B just before 2pm. The owner Mrs Strange greeted us & showed us to our room. The building was beautiful, a lovely old farm house with huge garden & surrounding fields. We sat in the garden for a bit & then decided to take a wonder (by that I mean drive as we were in the sticks!) into the village were I had booked our meal for the evening...

 

The Birthday Boy

 

Stef's Little Gifts From The Babies & I

Burford was beautiful, very small with tiny little shops on either side. We easily spotted the restaurant we were going to be dining in later that day so knew exactly where to come. After looking around for a while we sat in the sunshine with an ice cream each before returning to the B&B to relax & shower before going out.

 

Ready For Our Meal

We dined at The Golden Pheasant, we had already looked at their menu after I had enquired by finding them on the Tastecard website so knew there would be dishes on there we liked. The food, service & atmosphere was amazing... Not to mention the price. I used my tastecard which gave me 50% off our starters & mains. (Every little helps!) Stef had thai pork, prawn & crab cakes to start whereas I tucked into a lovely bacon & chicken carbonara. He then had a lovely rare steak with all the trimmings (Jealous!) & I tried to polish off what was like a posh shish kebab, lovely lamb cubes with feta, salad & tisziki on flat bread. The staff were really friendly & we had a lovely evening. We weren't back to the b&b late as wanted to have a clear, fresh head for the following day....

 

The Better Half Of Me

 

Waiting For My Food!

I was up early doing all my nebs & medications before I could shower & left Stef to doze in bed, it was his birthday after all.... We made our way down to breakfast & must have entrigued all the other guests (which were all male businessmen!) about our stories of snake keeping & the fact we were going to Crocodiles of the World that morning. Their faces were a picture.... After we packed, paid & loaded the car we excitedly drove towards our destinaton. I wa soooo freaking nervous I can't even tell you! Ten minutes later we had arrived, we parked up & found the entrance & waited. I could hear Shaun upstairs on the phone, we were in the entrance / gift shop bit, so as we waited, we looked at all the goodies & decided what we were going to be taking home with us! A few moments later, he was there, stood in front of us, Croc Man, Shaun, & founder of Crocodiles Of The World. An inspiration to me, from once being so poorly & achievening his life long dream... & of course, well.... Yummy. LOL

He then started showing us around & introducing us to all his crocs & gators. We were chatting away around the centre, about the different species & his plans for the future. We met his water monitor who climbed out for a lick & a cuddle, he was gorgeous, then we got the chance to hold a baby croc & talk to another keeper Jamie. After taking lots of photo's we made our back to the gift section & found Shaun, picked up some goodies, I had a few pics with him (well it was a given wasn't it?) chatted a while longer then said our goodbyes. It was the best experience we could have hoped for. We loved every single minute. Thank you so much to Shaun for inviting us up & taking time out of his hectic day to show us around personally. I will never forget it & must certainly intend to go again!

 

The Goodies We Brought Home

 

Little Nile Crocodiles

 

A Little Nile Saying Hello!

 

Me With Shaun! 'Croc Man'

Gorgeous!

One Of My Favourites!

Baby!

Stef With The Baby

Loved Every Minute!

I was back to reality with a thud the day after we returned home, my lungys havent been good for a while but I've been so drained at the same time, I really didn't feel well at all Friday or over the weekend. I was very headachey & I'm having a lot of trouble with my back at the moment, I was going to Harefield first thing Monday so I just held tight til it arrived & off I went with my bag packed, ready for clinic, impedance test & an overnight stay in Parkwood.

I had all my tests done early other than x ray so that after the ng tube was inserted they could see if it was in the right place or not, I was ready as I could be to see Anne but nervous as hell because I just know my body, & my body does not like things going up my nose & down the back of my throat no matter how 'thin' they might be. I was right, it took Anne 3 attempts, lots of tears, abit of vom & tremendous amounts of gagging but I eventually did it. Anne was great, she said I did brilliantly, I dont know if it was from when I broke my nose when I was little, but the tube just wouldnt go down the back without lots of wiggling, I also have a really sensitive lining but we got there. I was incredibley sore & irritated but 24 hours later it would be out so I just had to concentrate on the bigger picture. Hopefully this may give me answers as to why my lungys have misbehaved sinced the beginning of the year...

Yuck! :(

As I was staying the night there was no rush for me to be seen by the doctors so I said they could put me on the bottom of the list & I went to the pavillions to have a drink & get some space. When I was seen later that day, my dr said they think the impedance test should be positive considering the symptoms I show & the way my lungs have been over the last few months. I have been kept on all the same medication & treatments as I am still bringing up lots of secretions & very chesty at times, which I need to keep clearing. I mentioned the problems in my back & she thought the swelling could be due to the high dose of prednisilone I am on & the posture of my breathing when I am finding it difficult, nothing more was really said so I think I'll bring it up again with my CF team when I see them week after next. My potassium is still extremely low even though I take sando k twice daily so I must ensure I dont miss a dose, & I've been told I need to eat more, although I thought I had actually put on a pile of weight! It was late by the times I got out of clinic, so walked to get a kebab (worse idea in the world with that fecking tube down my throat) & retired to my room in Parkwood, I was exhausted, after a phone call to Stef, I turned off the tv & found myself asleep before 9.30pm....... At 10.30am the following day my tube was removed & I was free, I then just hung around like a piece of the furntiure & annoyed Chris ( a fellow heart transplant patient) until I was picked up at 4.30pm & got home just before 9pm. It was heaven to be home, but I was drained & went straight to bed. Another trip over, for now at least.

Yesterday was a strange day, I was 11 months post exactly. I was running through the last 11 months in my head, looking at how far I had come, crying one minute then smiling the next. Then came the news my mum had put our dog down, Rolo. We had him as a family dog from day one, he was 17 years old so had had a great life, but he was very old & the last few days he had become really poorly & it wasn't fair to keep him going like that. My mum also has my labrador Codie, who she took on when I was too poorly & taken into ITU in 2009. Codie has lived with my mum & brother ever since & her & Rolo were best friends. Now he has gone I don't know what she'll do, she is only 8 bless her, she'll need a lot of attention now, I think she will pine for Ro a lot. My head was all over the place for the rest of the day, I was devastated losing our dog but it was for the best, I was just gutted I couldn't say goodbye. I still felt really drained & I couldn't work out if I was feeling ill or not. I just didn't want to talk / move / do anything really. I was glad when the day came to an end to be honest.

Rest in peace Rolo, I love you lots puppy dog xxxx

Whilst writing this, I recieved a call from Heart Radio & have just finished a small interview piece with them on CF & Transplant as part of CF week which is this week! They have my number so will be calling to let me know hopefully if & when it'll be aired. I hate my voice, especially recorded & I could feel myself getting quite shakey with some of the questions asked, but hopefully if people do get to hear it, I get my point across, reach out for more awareness & have done my donor proud.

Which now, before I sign off & hope that this blog hasn't sent you to sleep, leaves me to next week... We have a friends wedding to go to on Saturday, I have missed many this year due to being unwell & complications, this will be the first I have attended, & although I may not be able to stay for the duration, it should be a lovely afternoon, especially if the weather holds out. Plus any quality time spent with my husband is a complete bonus in my eyes. Then Tuesday, (2nd July) Stefan & I celebrate two years of married life together. A special meal is booked for us on Friday evening at bistro called Memories, very apt I think! Then, on Saturday 6th I turn 30. 30 years old. I don't feel old, because of my donor I get to celebrate these special milestones with my husband, family & friends. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my hero & their family. I am utterly blessed & thank them every single day for giving me the best gift anyone could possibly give. I wrote in my blog last year that I would be having a big party regardless of if I had recieved my transplant or not, but this is not the case. Over time, you think about whats more important in life. To me, making memories with people that care about you & enjoy your company, no matter how small or insignificant are whats special. It's not about the presents, the cake or how pissed up you can get.... So I plan to just take each day as it comes & celebrate my day of birth with special people who I hold dear to me, to make the most of every second & be thankful that I am still here. Here's to turning 30 & whatever my life will bring after that.........

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

Excited Much! Smiles All Round :-)

My naughty little lungys are being a pain the arse but I'm too excited to even stress about it! I've had a busy time here & there over the last week & despite doing all my meds / nebs / exercise & physio as I am meant to, my lung function just isn't improving, in fact it's slipped quite a tad. Grrr!! I feel fine in myself however & will be at Harefield for clinic & my impedance test a week today so unless I become drastically poorly I will keep on doing as I am doing - I am still smiling, still walking, still breathing, so I am happy!!!

We had our gorgeous nephew Jack stay with us over night the weekend before last. We took him to the park for a bit & then went home & played with his trains & new fishing toy we had got him. Stef gave him a bath whilst I cooked dinner & we all sat down together to watch the Britains Got Talent Final under the blanket! He was as good as gold. So affectionate, always giving you kisses & cuddles. He slept like a log too as did Stef, but I didn't sleep a wink! I was so aware of him being there, I was listening out for every noise & murmer in case something was wrong but no, all was fine & they slept soundly until 6am. I went down to get him a bottle & he had already filled my place in the bed watching cartoons, before he wanted to see the snake babies! He wasn't too keen on them at first but by the times it came for Stef to drop him back home again he was going ahhhhh, hissssss & poking his tongue out left right & centre because thats what the snake babies do!

 

Jack & I In The Park

 

Eating His Dinner, Turkey, Onion, Mustard & Phili Pasta !

 

My 2 Favourite Boys In The Whole World, Jack With His Uncle Stefan

 

In The Park!

It was lovely to have him, but it's also good to give them back! We definately would love to have him more often though, especially as he's growing up so fast & changing everyday.

 

Cuddles :-)

I caught up with some of my girls during the week, Kim & I went for a 'picnic' in the clouds on the Monday afternoon, the sun had decided to do a runner but we thought sod it & went anyway only to get bombarded with several dogs drooling all over our plates & leaving slug trails on my leggings & then freeze our bits off as the wind could have blown us into the river! It was still lovely to catch up though, those are the best, random days that never turn out quite as you planned!

We also had our new baby (which we were getting at the end of July) arrive early in the middle of the week & he is now fully settled in & already eaten his first meal with us. He is a proven male Champagne royal python & I have named him Razor. We are just waiting for our racking to be delivered now & then we will busy sorting them all out & getting them all up to weight ready for next season. 

 

Razor

 

Male Champagne

My Hannah Banana (from Portsmouth who recieved a life saving heart transplant) turned 22 on Friday & she came to stay with The Southams in Exeter for the weekend & brought her 2 baby sisters, Beth & Emma along with her. On the Saturday I went & spent the day with them, it was so good to see her again. We had lots of catch up time & a nice bbq (even though the weather wasnt great) in Dave's garden, his minted lamb burgers are immense!! It was such a lovely day & I was sad to say goodbye but I know I'll see her again very soon, you can't keep away from special friends for too long...

 

Trying To Lift The Hank!

 

Coz We Are 'Ard

 

Beth, Hannah & I Stuffing Our Faces!

 

Cheers!

 

Simples ;)

 

Beth, Emma & I

 

KimBerry & Nana

 

Clowning Around!

 

Dave & His Mean Machine !!

Yesterday Stef & I spent the day chilling out mainly. We went for a walk in the pissing down rain which was surprisingly really nice. I then had a nice hot bath (my back is really hurting lately) & then I got into some nice clean pj's & we watched a movie & cooked some lovely roast beef with butter crushed potatoes! It was a perfect weekend!

I'm feeling all smiley today & it feels great, I was up at the crack of dawn & have already picked up my prescription, done the weeks food shop & all the other odd jobs I had to do. I've got the afternoon to chill out & see my friend for an hour & then relax this evening after dinner. Tomorrow, My hair is being dyed again (nothing special just to cover the grey!) seeing my mate Sarah & Leo for a cuddle & cuppa & then we are off to Stef's mum's for his birthday dinner. Just a few hours later, after proberly a very excitable & disturbed sleep, we will be heading to Oxford! Checking in at our farm b&b & going out for a nice little meal before his Birthday on the Thursday & meeting Shaun at Crocodiles Of The World! I cannot wait!!! My phone camera will proberly go flat in the first five minutes of being there! I must remember not to sneak a baby camien into my bag when leaving.... I cannot wait to tell you guys all about it. I just hope that my little lungers will give me the couple of days I want to be able to enjoy with my husband.

 

Attractive!

 

 

I am so grateful to my donor for giving me the chance to share another one of my husband's birthday with him, I wouldn't have been here today if it wasn't for him & his family. & Stef, you are my rock, you have got me through so so much - I truely hope this is one of your best birthdays ever. I love you baby. Happy 24th xxx

To quote my dearest Lady Lungs.... 'Ain't Life Great' xxx

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

Social Sunny Times

It's a week on since I had my clinic in Harefield, it was a bloody exhausting day even more than usual as I had done all my tests by 10.30am & had to wait til very late in the afternoon to be seen as they were short staffed. My lung function had actually dropped so I wasn't feeling too optimistic even though everyone was telling me I looked great, the wonders of make up (even if it was applied in the dark at 3.30am) !

I saw Dr Reed & I wasn't in there for very long at all, as expected there were no changes whatsoever to any of my results really so the plan was simple, to go home, with a very low threshold on if my lung function drops further I'm to come straight back & to remain on my high dose pred & antifungal treatments & be seen in 3 weeks time... This however landed on a very special day, so I sneakily moved the appointment forward til after the weekend. After all, I am always so careful with my lungys that if anything feels wrong I know I will be the first to call, & I'll be dammed if I'm having a 'clinic' day on my hubby's birthday & missing out on our special trip!

Stef turns 24 on 20th June & on the day before, he is driving us to Oxford where I have booked a little working farm B&B for the night, that evening we will have a nice dinner (I have already scouted the area with my tastecard in hand & booked a little Italian!) & then the following day on my amazing man's birthday we are off to meet Shaun Foggett at Crocodiles Of The World!! What a treat! I am absolutely buzzing & cannot wait, I just don't want any blips or anything to ruin it in the meantime, I'm counting down the days & it's exactly a fortnight today so please behave little lungys.... !!

Since coming home I have been really quite busy this week, for once, the weather has actually been bloody lovely & the sun has been shining, even though I am not really supposed to be out in it, I have been using my factor 50 & definately tried to make the most of it whilst it's here...

We had our first BBQ of the year on Saturday evening (thanks to our friend Darren who actually surprised us with a new BBQ because ours went bang!) so we invited him over & I got some yummy meat from the butchers especially. Stefan & I haven't drank a drop of alcohol in 16 weeks since his cousins wedding back at the beginning of February, I've felt brilliant for it, both mind, body & pocket! For me, it was a real sense of achievement especially as I used to drink quite a lot before. However, as it was a nice sunny evening we thought we might have an ice cold beer / cider or two with our food - We really shouldn't have bothered! I think I had about 3/4 bottles & it did absolutely nothing for me, I would have rather an ice cold mango juice & I reckon I would have enjoyed it a lot more, not to mention the money we paid when I got to the checkout just for a crate & a few bottles, it came to our normal weekly shop! Let's just say, I can live without it! I am really not bothered in the slightest, it has done me good not drinking for so long & I certainly don't intend to go pissing it up the wall anytime soon, don't get me wrong, I'm not dead against it. If someone was to ask me out for a glass of wine on a nice summers evening then hel yeah I haven't turned t-total! But I am just enjoying looking after my body a bit more & reaping the benefits from all angles of not boozing it up every weekend...

This week I have been catching up with some lovely friends & making the most of getting out the house, on Monday I went to Cockington with my friend Hayley & her son Chase before he went to preschool, we had a giggle on the swings & in the park & then once we dropped him off we had some girly adult time with a nice cuppa & a toastie!

Hayley & I

 

 

In The Park With Chase Man!

 

On Tuesday, I called into see my basically 'sister in law' (Stef's brother's partner!) Kelly at her beachhut & my nephew Jack & spent a few hours in the sunshine with her catching up, Jack spent most of it asleep mind! But we had a lovely few hours before I went to do the food shop & meet Stefan from work. We have arranged to have Jack stay with us on Saturday night so we are both really looking forward to that, the weather is meant to be staying nice so we will do something fun with him on the Sunday before taking him back to Kelly & Dame.

 

Our Nephew Jack

Yesterday, (I sound like Craig David now) I went to see my lovely friends Dave & Marie in Exeter before having to go to the RD&E for what I thought was clinic but turned out it was just pre annual revews tests! I had a lovely morning in their gorgeous garden catching up on all the gossip, Sarah, their daughter & Vic, their niece called into, aswell as his sister Penny & just before I left Dave grilled some lovely burgers on his BBQ so I was all set for a boring afternoon in the hospital room.... I had to be there for 1.30pm, & all I done was my bloody bleep test, some bloods & had my picc line changed! I still didn't get out of there til 5, the only thing I came away with really was some new exercises as I have a really bad neck / top of spine from where I was unable to breathe pre transplant, it's become all swollen, almost like a hump at the top of my back & my physio doesn't want it getting any worse so I have some exercises to try & help it, whether I remember to do them daily along with everything else I have to do is another matter however! I also spoke to Harefield yesterday who have booked me into have my impedance test on the day I go to clinic, this is where I have a tube placed up my nose & down past my throat for 24 hours to test for acid reflux, one of the most common causes of rejection post transplant. If it comes back positive I will more than likely have the fundo op like a few of my other post tx friends, but we will cross that bridge when I come to it. Having the tube in for 24 hours does mean I won't be coming home that night though & will have to stay until the following day... All being well I hope to be back without a problem as the following week starts my wedding anniversary & 30th Birthday celebrations! Not that we have anything planned for my birthday. Just a very special meal on the Friday night for our anniversary at a place called Memories, we have never been there before but you have to book well in advance & some very special friends kindly put some money in a card towards the evening so we can splash out on some delicious food!

 

I May Be Turning 30 In 4 Weeks But I Won't Grow Up!

The sun is shining again today, I don't have any particular plans as I have been so busy I could do with some rest, but I will more than likely pop out later to give my lungs some attention & enjoy a bit of sunshine, then tomorrow I am catching up with my friend Sarah & her son Leo, so all in all a busy & social week! I hope it continues!

 

Having A Swinging Time At Cockington

Thank you as always for taking the time to read, I hope you have a great weekend in the sun wherever you are xxx