The first picture was taken in April last year when I was in Florida and the picture on the right was at the beginning of this year. Physically I haven't changed much - if this was a just after transplant vs 1 year later photo there would be a noticeable reduction in steroid induced hamster chops! I think there has still been some cheek bone return in the past year. My hair is longer and almost back to pre transplant length. About a year after my transplant my hair started falling out - it was so thin and fragile and all I could do was keep getting it cut until it started growing in thicker again. I would say it's now back to normal :-)
At work I think I have become more confident. Last year I had only been in the staff grade post for 6 months and it was a steep learning curve, having been out of general adult psychiatry for a while. I think my knowledge has increased significantly, as well as developing the way I undertake consultations, react to situations and create a rapport with patients.
Emotionally, the further you get from transplant, the stronger you feel. It starts to seem as if being ill was something in the far and distant past - sometimes feeling like it didn't really happen to me at all. I feel more and more like the 'old Jacqueline' who was happy, carefree and full of nonsense.
In a practical sense I am more settled. The house is really coming together and we have been able to carry out most of our long term plans within the last year. Plans that were always waiting for 'when I am well'. I had my own PBL groups a few times last year, which I really enjoyed. I also became part of Team Glasgow - pouring energy into our ball and this year a Halloween party is on the agenda :-) Through this I have also made two fantastic friends in Victoria and Kirsty.
Overall throughout the past year, I have had that feeling that 'Life is Good!' Can't ask for more than that.
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