Up The Farway Tree

Parties and Pains

I've taken a while to update because I've had a fairly busy week. I had a great weekend, as it was my aunts 50th birthday so we had a big party. It was a brilliant night - a lovely meal and then a good mix of dancing (disco and old time) and some singing as well . It has been rumoured that the 'oldies' had a sing song until 4am back home, but I wouldn't know as I was staying at my other aunts house. Just as well really ;-) I managed a fair bit of dancing and even had to get up with my cousins girlfriend to show everyone how to do the Macarena. Andrew said everyone would think "poor Jacqueline, it's been so long since she danced, she still thinks the Macarena is in vogue". Cheeky man. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera, as did my dad, so I have no photos. Actually, if anyone reading this was at the party and has some photos, please send some to me!

The week then didn't get off to a great start as I had this niggling chest pain, which was really sore when I breathed in. It actually started last Friday but I was just keeping an eye on it. I suspect the dancing on saturday did very little to help the problem. By monday morning it was still there, so I thought I should get it checked out. By chance I was getting my routine bloods done by the nurse on Monday morning anyway, so I asked if the GP could take a quick look while I was there. He said my chest sounded clear and then took some extra bloods to exclude a blood clot. I was happy enough with this until I had a slight flicker in my temperature on Monday night, so I phoned Newcastle for further advice. They said I needed a chest xray and lung function tests done, so I thought it easiest just to contact my CF team. They were fantastic - told me to come straight up and everything was organised. The CF consultant came down to clinic to see me, so that I wasn't wandering about the wards. The chest xray was fine, and although the lung function was down marginally (2.62 to 2.47) this could be easily explained by different equipment. He was completely happy that it was no more than a muscular problem or due to some adhesions forming after surgery (the pain was over part of my scar). Incidentally the CF doc used to work in the transplant unit, so has a good knowledge in this area. My temperature has been fine since and the pain is easing off, so looks like it was all a big fuss about nothing. Better to be safe than sorry though! I did also mention the joint pain (knees are still really sore) but he said it was something that is still likely to flair up from time to time. Hopefully it will ease off soon though so I can start walking a bit more again.

Yesterday we went out for lunch with mum, dad and my aunt and uncle (before they head back down south). We had a lovely meal and I really did eat far too much. In fact all I could manage for the rest of the day was a packet of crisps :-) Last night we attended a concert which was being held in aid of CF. It was organised single handedly by a secondary school pupil from my uncle's parish. He talked about me after my transplant - getting everyone to pray for me - and because of this she felt inspired to raise money for CF. The concert was held in her school, although the teachers etc were not involved in the organisation. It was absolutely fantastic!! So much talent - there were people singing, dancing, bands, piano playing. It really was top class. I had to get up at the end to say a few words, and I must admit I was more nervous that I had been speaking at Scottish Parliament! I managed ok though - just told them a bit about myself and my story and explained the CF trusts need for continued support. I'm not sure of the final total raised but I think they must have done pretty well, as there was certainly a very good turn out.

Today has been much quieter and I am doing some more work on the CF and relationships booklet. I was working on this earlier in the year, before I was rudely interrupted by some transplant surgery. Myself and Emily are finally getting ourselves organised and are nearly finished writing the sections now. I then need to put it into a publishing programme so I can make a downloadable pdf....I think this may prove harder than I think, as I can't remember how to use the programme at all! Hopefully it will all just come back to me.

I am now preparing for another busy period, as it is my cousins wedding on Saturday and my friends is the following weekend. All go, go, go!

Seb is tired at the very thought of it....