One More Sleep!

I didn't quite get time to update in the past week so this is just a quick update before I go to bed for one last sleep before Santa comes!

Last weekend was my work Christmas night out. It is the first work Christmas party I have been to in several years so it was nice to be able to join in for once! I had a great night and lasted to the very end - still dancing :-) Andrew and I were also supposed to be meeting up with my friends for a Christmas dinner on the Sunday but none of us could make it to the restaurant because of the snow! We made a pretty good effort but when the road markings on the motorway disappeared we thought it better to turn around. I was really disappointed we missed it but I did still catch up with everyone today as it is a Christmas tradition that we all meet at mums house and exchange our gifts, which we have been doing this for well over 10 years now :-)

The weather has been extreme but I am rather excited that it is going to be a white Christmas. Mum and dads garden looks like a magical winter wonderland with frost laden branches, icicles hanging from the windows and a blanket of powdery snow. I know it creates havoc on the roads (I had to get the train to work this week) but it does look rather beautiful.

Icicles!

My garden

Chaffinch

Goldfinch in the snow!

Seb quite likes the snow (being Tibetan and all) but we have recently learned that he isn't so keen on the slush. Mum took him a long walk yesterday and about 1/2 mile down the road he decided he didn't want to walk any more and mum was literally dragging him along. So she had a brain wave. She stopped at my cousins and asked for 4 freezer bags (they actually only had orange nappy bags) which she then tied around Sebs paws like little snow shoes. He did actually start walking again but the bags didn't stay on long enough. So then she had another brain wave. She had a canvas shopping bag.....and in Seb went! He sat down in it quite happily and allowed himself to be carted around - all 1 stone weight of him. I have never heard anything quite so ridiculous. I think perhaps I should get him some wee welly boots instead...



Well I am off to watch our Christmas film and then off to bed and try to sleep. I am 30 and still can't sleep on Christmas eve. I know I must though or Santa wont come.

I would like to sign off by wishing everyone peace and joy this Christmas!

Final Countdown!

Where this week go? I can't believe there are only 7 sleeps until Christmas! I have had a busy wee time of it over the last week and am so tired - but looking forward to a well earned long lie tomorrow :-)

Last weekend we had mum and dad over for dinner and a trip to see 'A Christmas Carol' at the Imax (3D cinema). I had a go at making mulled wine which turned out quite well for a first attempt so we had with mince pies in the afternoon. We then had roast ham for dinner and I tried a new recipe for individual pineapple upside down cakes which have coconut in the cake mix - yum :-) By this time we were all so full we couldn't even fit in any popcorn at the cinema! The film was really good and worked well with the 3D effect. I had a very embarrassing moment though when my phone alarm (to remind me to take anti rejections) went off half way through the film! I had my phone on silent but I forgot that the alarm will still go off regardless. To make matters worse I had this giant bag where you can't find anything so I was raking about for what seemed like an eternity before i found the phone - and of course the alarm gets louder and louder until you switch it off. Very embarrassing.

On Tuesday I had a great afternoon as it involved clothes and buying clothes. My friend Alison has just set up a business as an agent for clothing stores - mostly supplying those small quirkier style shops. She also has a website with vintage style jewellery and purses - click HERE to have a look (5% profit goes to Live Life Then Give Life and Cancer Research). Anyway she was selling off the autumn/winter clothing samples and since they are all small sizes she invited me over for a look. I could have happily bought most of the stock but had to try and curtail things a little. I say a little. I got a few tunic style tops which I like at the moment and a couple were quite quirky - one grey tunic covered in little owls and another top with russian doll print which is really popular just now. In between trying on clothes I was playing with her 5 month old Boston Terrier - Elvis - who is so cute! We then met Andrew and her partner Neal and had some dinner at an Italian which was really nice. So that was a lovely day out for me.

Last night I also met up with my friends Lucie and Lauren for dinner, which again was lovely. I am sure I am going to put on quite a few kilos over Christmas! I was a bit upset later though as this pain has been worse again in one of my wounds from the fundoplication surgery last January. It comes on if I eat anything more than my normal and then is like a stitch pain when I walk. It is so so annoying but I think I will have to learn to live with it. The surgeon wasn't sure what was causing it other than perhaps scar tissue - either from the laparoscopy or the peg tube repair. It's a shame that after I get an appetite for the first time in my life I then feel like I can't eat very much in case I get this pain. At least the surgery should help protect my lungs though which is more important in the long run!

Today was the last PBL before the Christmas holidays so I am glad to be having a short break. I am still enjoying it but it has been quite hard work so far. I am facilitating on topics I have long forgotten so am doing a lot of background reading so it's nice not to have any 'study' to do for a few weeks. My last day at my 'proper' work will be Wednesday so I can't wait - I think I deserve a wee holiday now :-)

Parcels, trees and exhaustion!

The parcel arrived! End of DHL saga :-)

The Christmas tree is up! We spent last Saturday morning putting it up and I am really quite pleased with the finished article. I decorated it with gold and red beads instead of tinsel and then just added all the ornaments. I think it almost looks old fashioned like something from the Victorian era (although we don't have actual candles on the tree!) I like sitting in the evening just looking at it and thinking of all the memories associated with each ornament. This year we were able to add a little glass angel from Nice, a wooden angel from Berlin and a glass beaded heart from Tuscany - another three memories from my post transplant adventures. Just as well the tree is 7 foot because I have so many more memories still to collect :-)



I spent Sunday wrapping up presents but unfortunately didn't feel very well by the evening and had to go to bed early. I think the bending over all day had gone for my sinuses and my head was so sore! You should have seen the room though - it was like Santa's grotto. I tend to get carried away at Christmas but it's half the joy :-) I am not sure if I triggered things off but my head/face has been so sore this week. I haven't heard from the pain clinic yet although my CF consultant was also going to drop them a note explaining how much it is affecting my post transplant health so I hope that might hurry things up a bit.

I got to the end of last week in one piece and am really enjoying the PBL facilitating! I have a great group of students who are making my job much easier. I am feeling pretty exhausted though as I am not used to getting up and out the house every day. I think it just feels extra busy because it's Christmas time so lots of organising and general busyness other than work and my wee body is not quite sure what I am up to :-)

Little Seb has to get his yearly vaccines today and I was dreading it. As expected he did make a drama - dancing around the table, trying to jump off and tossing his head around - while wagging his tail at the same time! He insisted on being examined while standing on his hind legs with front paws on Andrews arm and the vaccine itself had to be administered while I mashed his head into my face to distract him. The vet said that his heart rate was actually quite slow which would indicate that most of the dancing around is Seb putting on a show for us and he is not as anxious as he might seem! I have said it so many times before...drama queen.

Seb's foot stool had to be moved so he has moved into the tiny leather chair!

Losing the plot: My DHL saga

I made a purchase online, to be delivered by DHL. I tracked the order and waited in on the expected delivery day. I waited and waited. I saw a DHL van in the street but it turned and went away... I logged in at the end of the day to see the update 'attempted delivery - no one home'. I was outraged and a series of irate emails ensued. I was reassured an attempt is always made the next day. No such attempt was made. I received an email from DHL telling me to call and rearrange delivery - I called. The number was no longer in use. I phoned customer services and was given an email address for the local depot to check they had correct address (no card had been posted through door). I emailed. It bounced. I went onto the online chat on DHL and spoke to Colin. He was very nice and said he would get the depot to call. The depot called when I was out and when I called back it rung out. At this point I said to Andrew that I felt like I was going mad and this was all some elaborate hoax for You've been Framed. He did comment that I seemed to be the only person to think this parcel existed. Shortly after I tried to call the depot again. I accidentally keyed in the tracking number instead of the phone number but it rang and someone answered 'switchboard'. I said they had a package for me - he said "I sincerely doubt that..this is a psychiatric hospital'!! I think someone is trying to tell me something...men in white coats coming for Jac...

DHL aside, I am nearly at the end of a busy week - only one more days work before I can have a wee long lie! I have been really tired but have still really enjoyed the week. My head is a bit 'buzzy' just now with work things and PBL things flying around at the same time, not to mention Christmas trees and fairy lights. I am not good as switching off and do really need to learn some relaxation techniques. I would like to look into types of meditation....but I don't have time haha. Seriously though - suggestions on a postcard welcome.

I have been restrained and not put the Christmas tree up yet but I did set up the crib last night. Luckily Seb doesn't seem interested this year - I have to keep an eye on him after the crib raiding incident a couple of years ago. He used to get really excited with the decorations going up but now he is getting old and grumpy and doesn't like anything that interferes with his routine! Just wait until I put the tree up and he realises he can't see out the window ;-)

I will leave you with a video clip of Emily - talking about organ donation. It may be selected for a 3 minute wonder on channel 4 and I think it would be a fantastic way of raising awareness. You might need a tissue..
Video

Working 9-5....what a way to make a living!

This week (and until the end of January) I will be working every day. Why did I think this was a good idea a few weeks ago?! I already mentioned that I have agreed to facilitate a whole block at university which starts tomorrow. We had the briefing meeting last week to give us the notes and some general information on the block - it's hearts and kidneys before Christmas and lungs in January. I am looking forward to it but am a bit nervous about working every day (albeit half days at uni) but it will be a good challenge and some extra pennies for Christmas shopping! So tonight I will be reading about heart anatomy and physiology - of course this is clearly relevant to my current work in psychiatry ;-)

Last week I was talking at the carers group at work - they meet once a month in the evening for support and information, so I was wheeled in to chat about medications. It was interesting to meet some of the carers who play such an important role in the lives of our patients, yet are often left on the sidelines and I think they found it helpful to have the chance to have some questions about medications answered. It's all good experience for me in learning to talk for different types of audiences so I think it was worthwhile going along.

I had a mad cleaning thing over the weekend - last weekend I was 'sorting' but this weekend I was moving sofas to hoover behind them, washing windows and all sorts of other things. I was totally shattered and went to bed at 9pm last night! Andrew went out to tidy the hut but I am sure it was to get away from me in case I gave him any more tasks haha. It was very cathartic though and it's nice to get all sorted before Christmas - especially since it's nearly time to put up the tree :-) I can't quite decide when to put it up yet but probably this weekend, if I can last that long. Since I go home for Christmas I feel the tree has to go up as early as possible so I get plenty enjoyment from it before then - which I think is fair play. Only 25 sleeps :-)

I will leave you with a Seb picture. This was taken driving back on the motorway after buying the 7ft Christmas tree. We had to fold the seat down so Seb managed to get himself up on the raised seat beside the tree so he could stare out the front window. It was SO disconcerting having a back seat dog driver peering over my shoulder!

Update

Some good news - Emily is home from hospital to finish her IV's there and they were pleased that her lung function is going back up again. Phew!

Sadly I also heard that another young lady (known via CF forums) has lost her fight with CF - her transplant call did not come in time.

Another friend from my hospital has just had another false alarm for transplant today - this is her 6th false alarm now and I cannot imagine how that feels. Here is hoping that her real call comes soon and brings her the best Christmas present ever!

If you haven't already signed the organ donor register -please take a couple of minute to do so today. You could save a life.

Click here register.

Weekend indoors

I am so glad I was at home this weekend as it has been pouring for the entire time - some flooding but not as bad as most other areas. A good excuse to stay indoors which is sometimes quite nice! When I have gone out Seb has been forced to wear his little rain coat - a passer by commented that he looked very smart haha. Despite being indoors I have not really relaxed much as I was in 'sorting' mode yesterday and ended up clearing out the two big hall cupboards along with lots of those 'stuff' drawers where you just pile in everything and anything. I was actually looking for 2 particular items, neither of which I found...although I did come across lots of other interesting things I didn't know I had ;-)

I went into town with my cousin Sarah on Friday for some Christmas shopping - we were very efficient shoppers and didn't hang around long as it was stressfully busy. Unfortunately I got home to find I had left a carrier bag in Debenhams - which I had put down when looking at something. Argghhh. I had to go via a call centre to get redirected to the store - the first time I got cut off, then the lost property department rang out, then I got the department where I left the bag but they didn't have it. I tried again yesterday and after three calls via call centre eventually convinced someone to give me the lost property number - which was constantly engaged for 3 hrs (off the hook more like!) Eventually I got through and they did have the bag (along with several others left my people). I then got a 5 minute lecture from the lady about leaving my receipt in the bag as someone could have returned the item and being more careful in future and I was a very lucky lady blah blah blah. You would think I had left a million pounds lying in a bag the way she was going on!

This week is quite busy as I have a meeting to brief me on the PBL block I am facilitating, which I need to fit into my lunch hour on Wednesday. Then in the evening I am talking to the carers group at work (carers of people with severe mental health problems) about drug therapies. I have spent this afternoon looking over some information but to be honest I think it's quite informal and it's more likely they will just want to ask me questions about various worries. I am not really sure how it works but will be interesting to see. Then I had a letter as there has been a recall on my car - something to do with the steering shaft, which doesn't sound good to me! So that has to go to the garage, and somewhere in between I have the dentist and my second swine flu jag. People who are immunosuppressed have to get two jags as the response to the first one might not be sufficient (since my immune system will not respond the same as a normal person). I felt ok after the first one although my arm was really sore compared to the normal flu jag. However this week I had a bit of a temperature (and it flickered last week too) so I think this might be a delayed response to the vaccine. I am otherwise ok and didn't have any other symptoms so not sure why else it would happen. It has settled down now so hopefully I will be fit and ready for the 2nd jag at the end of the week. Lucky me :-)

The BIG news in this week is that I have purchased a 7ft pre-lit Christmas tree. Oh yes. It is rather magnificent(don't worry, it is still in the box). Post transplant I am not allowed a real Christmas tree due to bugs that can grow in them so I feel quite entitled to a special fake one. Not long until I get to put it up :-)

Lastly can you have a special thought for my friend Emily who is in hospital at the moment. She had her transplant before me and helped me through the journey - the same Emily who I am doing the booklets with. Her lung function has dropped recently and she has had a cough for a while now so she is in getting some IV antibiotics and they will see if lung function has improved tomorrow before deciding on next step - so some good thoughts her way that all goes well tomorrow. In her own words 'I am in hospital being mendificated'. I might try using that word at work next week..