Up The Farway Tree

I got the job!

I had my job interview this morning and late this afternoon they called to offer me the position :-) It is a part time post - 20hrs/week - in general adult psychiatry as a Speciality Doctor (used to be called Staff Grade) which is a promoted post from what I am doing just now. I will be starting mid August when my current job is due to end. In the past these staff grade posts did not allow you to continue training but now some of the posts offer training opportunities, which this one does. This keeps my options open for progressing to consultancy should I wish or I can also continue to progress along this route. The big advantage of staying a Speciality Doctor is that it generally does not involve on call, less managerial/admin type work - so essentially most of the time can be spent actually seeing patients, which is what I enjoy doing. I think 20hrs is ideal at the moment - it is a bit more than I currently have but is not putting too much pressure on me and also allow me to continue doing some work at the uni. And also maybe trying to have a life somewhere in there too!

My sinuses are still driving me mad but I am really hoping the new tablet works. I started taking it on Saturday and felt a bit spaced out but not too bad. I then took my next dose on Sunday - fell asleep three times during the day, became really uncoordinated and clumsy (well, more than my normal!) and felt very strange indeed. I could not have driven the car or gone to work like that. I phoned the GP yesterday and she felt the regime I had been given for titrating up the dose was a bit OTT for a tiny person with slightly dodgy kidney function. So I have some lower dose tablets and will build it up a lot more slowly - I took the first one tonight (not wanting to take it before the interview) and so far I feel ok. I don't expect much pain relief until the dose is a bit higher so fingers crossed :-)

We also had a monumental event at the weekend - Seb was allowed off his lead!!! We have been practising recall with him attached to 30m washing line and he is really good. So we took him to the country park where there is some moorland - with no roads nearby at all. At first he didn't seem to realise he wasn't on a lead and kept following me but then he got more adventurous and started exploring. Towards the end he had found a gate which he was trying to squeeze under but he did come back when I shouted (with chicken reward of course). I would still never let him off where there are any roads as he is rather unpredictable but this was a huge step forward!

Also at the weekend we went through to Edinburgh and did a radio interview with my uncle. He hosts a few religious radio shows and wanted to interview myself and Andrew for one of his shows called 'A view from Earth'. It was to talk about my earlier life with CF, the transplant, the journey.. basically my life story. Led by questions I was talking for nearly an hour with Andrew getting a word in now and again ;-) I did manage to get some information in about Live Life Then Give Life and also spoke about organ donation and the need for people to sign the register, but more importantly, to let their family know their wishes. I am not sure when it will be aired but will let you know when I hear.

Lastly, if you haven't noticed, Team Jac has gone over the £20, 000!! In fact over £21,000 from today. I have a few more people to chase for their sponsorship so we are nearly there now. With gift aid added we are closing in on £25, 000. Truly amazing.