Up The Farway Tree

ONLY 2 MORE SLEEPS...

I am now back home at my parents for Christmas, so it feels like the festive season has now begun. Even wee Seb had a bath today in preparation for Santa coming. I am nearly finished the IVs and feel ok-ish - not a whole lot better than I did when I started them, but not any worse. Hopefully it will tide me over the festive period though and as long as I pace myself I should be ok.

It feels strange coming to the end of another year on the transplant list, and now looking forward, wondering where I will be this time next year. It is also strange looking back over the past year, which has seen some important changes in my life. At the beginning of the year I started to use overnight oxygen, then shortly after, oxygen for exercising and now laterally, require it much more during the day. Mid way through the year, I finally realised that work was beginning to take its toll, and what started as a months leave has now become almost 7 months away from work. In that time I expected to stabilise in health, but instead had a summer of frequent infections, spiralling weight loss and for the first time since I was placed on the list, began to wonder if that call would come in time. Thankfully the winter months, so far, have brought me stability, weight gain and the feeling that I have pulled back some control over my health. I am ever hopeful that this can continue into the new year and that stability can be the key word for 2008.

I have also had some interesting experiences over the past year. I was short listed for the Breathing Life Awards and travelled to London for the star studded ceremony, and thereafter, appeared in the Daily Mail to raise awareness to the issues of Organ donation. I gave a speech at Scottish Parliament in the Summer as part of the Live Life then Give Life campaign, and more recently had a further foray into public speaking at a palliative care conference. So, despite the downs of health related issues, there I have also had my fair share of positive experiences this year, which I can take forward as the highs of 2007.

As I now prepare to spend the festive season with my family, I remain positive and hopeful for the coming year. I have made it successfully through this past year, and am still here and still standing. I have plenty of fight left to see me through this coming year, and whenever that call comes I am ready to take that step. A step which will see me moving forward to a new and exciting life, filled with endless opportunities and new beginnings.

So, on that positive note, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and wonderful New year!