Up The Farway Tree

Shopping

I seem to have been spending a lot of money this week. I'm really just making up for lost time, but I think the sooner I get back to work the better ;-) It started with a trip to Tiso's earlier this week to get myself some decent walking trainers. My foot was still giving me a lot of bother and I didn't want to risk doing myself a longer term injury. I took advice from the nice man in the shop and tried on several pairs before settling on the most expensive ones. Obviously. They have been much better for walking in though and my foot is really improving now. My legs still get really sore walking but I guess it's going to take several months at least to build up my muscles - considering it took them at least two years to deteriorate as much as they did. My lungs however are coping so well, and I do feel much less breathless than I did before the high dose steroids. I don't know if this means the rejection was impacting on my lung function, or whether I am just finding things easier as the new lungs settle down more. Either way, it all seems to be going in the right direction.

Yesterday I dragged mum to the shops as I had a gift voucher which was about to expire - calling for an emergency shopping trip. We went to an outdoor shopping centre so it would be easier to avoid crowds of people, but the shops were quiet anyway so it wasn't a problem. I didn't really want to buy any new clothes at this stage as I don't know what weight I will stabilise at (still putting a bit on just now). I did however manage to purchase two pairs of shoes and some nice beaded jewellery. I successfully spent all my vouchers (..and some) and really enjoyed my first shopping trip! The last time I was at the shops was before Christmas, and mum took me in the wheelchair. At the time I thought it was quite a distance we had covered, but yesterday when I was walking I realised it wasn't very far at all. Funny how quickly your perspective on things can change. It was so great to be able to wander around without getting tired and breathless, or trying to tell mum which direction to push me in the chair (and getting stuck between clothes rails etc). It also meant that mum could look at things too, instead of having to worry about me. I could try things on if I wanted, where are I had got to the stage of just buying things and hoping they would fit, as it made me far to breathless getting changed. I am looking forward to a wee spree when my weight is settled...I better start saving now!

I did something really amazing yesterday - I RAN!! Ok, it was for about 10 seconds and my legs nearly seized up, but I did it! I don't think I am meant to be running about at this stage (too much pressure through the wound) but I was walking Seb round the playing fields and he kept stopping to sniff, which gets really annoying - so the only way you can get him going is to start running, and then he flies along after you. I have seen Andrew do this many times, but its something I obviously would never have done before - but yesterday I just thought 'why not?!' and why not indeed. I don't think I will be taking up running mind you, but it was just the fact that the impossible is now possible. It's hard to believe sometimes :-)

The garden plans are coming along nicely, and we have now ordered tons of slate for the rockery and a greenhouse. I think Andrew is going to be busy for the rest of the summer. Although I have to be careful with soil, I should be ok to potter about in the greenhouse and am looking forward to learning about about what plants and veg I can grow. I sound very middle aged I think - I must keep a check on that!

I will leave you with some recent bird photos...

Coal tit

Chaffinch

Blue tit