Thursday, September 27, 2012

Fran's Birthday

Today would have been Frances Ann's 28th Birthday.  I have annual leave today to go and run an organ donation desk at Freshers Fayre in the city centre with Team Glasgow.  We will also be there tomorrow, signing up students and chatting to them about organ donation.   I think this is probably quite an apt way to spend Fran's birthday - she would be 100% behind me in this campaign!

Tonight mum, dad and Corey are coming to visit and I am sure we can reminisce about a one (or many) funny stories!

Love you wee sis. xxx

Friday, September 21, 2012

Hen weekend

Thought it was about time I updated my blog!    The last post was on returning from the hen weekend with Nicola, but I haven't had a chance to update with some pictures yet :-)  It was a great weekend!  We travelled down to London on the friday by train - best way to travel in a group because it gave us a chance to get to know each other (over a few bottles of bubbly!) and was a great start to the weekend.  We were staying at a hotel called CitizenM which was really funky and modern, the rooms being like little pods with ipads to cotrol the blinds and lights etc.  Easily amused!   On Saturday we went on the open top bus and river cruise, which was really nice - the weather was amazingly hot and sunny so it was ideal way to spend the day.  Throughout the day the bridesmaids had various accessories for Nicola to wear and we all had our 'boppers' on (see pics) all day - making it easy not to lose anyone haha.








 In the evening we all had to dress in black and red before heading out for a lovely meal in Covent Garden.  Everyone had to bring a small present for Nicola to remind her of a time we spent together or a memory.  I had got her a little black and white cat which related to a very long story about a soft toy cat we called 'skanky' when we shared a flat at uni.  I wont go into the story here but she recognised the reference right away (as did Kenny from the flat when he met us the next day!)   After the meal we went to a Comedy Club, which was excellent! 




The following morning we were feeling fairly bright and breezy (comedy club was good idea because not too much drinking at that!)  We were next to the Tate Modern so had a lovely breakfast in their cafe, sitting outside in the sun.   We briefly met up with Kenny before heading to the train station for the journey home.  All in all it was a fab weekend :-)



I had CF clinic yesterday, which was fine.  My lung function was a bit lower but they thought it was because it was different equipment to Newcastle - chest sounded fine and not breathless so no concerns at all.  Weight was much the same, although dietician always wants me to be a bit fatter haha.   Everything else seemed fine and I will be back in Newcastle for check in December.  My joints are a bit of an ongoing issue but also seeing rheumatology in December again so will see if they have any further thoughts.  My shoulder is still quite sore despite the steroid injection, so a bit disappointed about that.  However it was only couple of weeks ago so still might settle a bit.

Next week is busy with Freshers Fayre on Thursday and  Friday.  I need to collect donor desk things from NHSBT next week and set up the stall on wednesday night.  I was thinking back to last year doing this - it was really hot because I was wearing flip flops and we were eating ice lollies - where as today there was frost when I got up!!!  Weird.

The other thing I forgot to link to on my blog was a letter I got published in the BMJ.  It was in relation to an opinon article about relatives consenting to organ donation.  I will give you the link (which will also allow you to read the original article) and you can decide for yourselves what you think :-)

BMJ letter

Sunday, September 09, 2012

Remembering Frances Ann
I can't believe that 8 years has passed since we lost Fran.  I wonder where the time has gone but then look back and realise how much has happened in those 8 years and how far I have travelled since then.  The journey has been interesting to say the least, at times scary, at times very hard and at times full  of sheer joy.   I always do wish that Fran had been there through those times, especially to share the highs, and I often day dream over where her own life may have taken her.  Doing something extraordinary I would imagine!  I am sure we will some day come to understand why she had to leave so soon, and again, I am sure it is related to how extraordinary she really was.
For my most extraordinary sister - I will always hold you and Claire in my heart and am so lucky to have my very own guardian angels.
xxxx

Thursday, September 06, 2012

Weddings and Anniversary's


Wow, we have been quite busy since the ball!   The 20th was our 8th wedding anniversary, although we were both so shattered from the ball weekend that we opted for a marks and spencer roast ham and veg, as opposed to going out!  It was rather yum though!   Great that we can celebrate another anniversary with me in good health and plenty still to dream for.

The following weekend was mum and dads RUBY wedding anniversary.  40 years - there's something to aim for!  We had a lovely family meal out and I had made some crackers with ruby ribbon nail polish for the ladies and Ruby port for the men :-)  I tried to personalise some jokes too for each cracker, so that was quite amusing (well it amused me anyway!)


Last weekend we were at a wedding in Kelso, in the borders.  We travelled down on Friday night to meet with some friends and take Seb to Anne and Johns.  A great weekend was had by all and I am still recovering from sleep deprivation after staying up half the night chatting to friends!  Alcohol wasn't even involved at the point we decided to create our own dance floor with 80s power ballads on the ipod (after ceilidh band had finished)! 
The happy couple were Grant and Victoria - Andrew having know Grant since his school years.  That group of friends have stayed in close contact over the years (we often have everyone over for a get together despite the geographical distances between everyone) so it was nice to have a group of friends to enjoy the weekend with.  We had all got together to create a honeymoon hamper for their UK honeymoon trip - with their favourite drinks, goodies and some nods to jokes of years gone past.  The army Y-fronts related to a new year party where Grant managed to sell army issue Y-fronts and vests to guests at a party I had.  I think it was only Joe that bought them but the story frequently comes up in conversation...


The ceremony was in the conservatory at Roxburghe Hotel, which was lovely and surrounded by foliage and views over the countryside.  The main reception was held in the marquee, with some great speeches and a pretty unique cake in display!
This was followed by ceilidh dancing back in the conservatory, but we were also free to mingle around the large comfortable sittings rooms of the hotel.  We were staying, which made it very relaxing - only having to fall up some stairs to find our room.  The next morning we all met for breakfast and then myself and Andrew went over to Hawick to see Anne and John and to collect wee Seb.  We were exhausted by Sunday night but had really enjoyed our weekend!
Other news in this week was that had to get another steroid injection into my shoulder as it is playing up again.  The rheumatologist said there is calcification in the tendon, which is causing inflammation.  She is also going to MRI scan my hand, because a couple of weeks ago one of my thumb joints became really swollen and inflammed, so she want's to make sure that has all settled.
Some really great news is that we now have our final ball total and we have managed to just top the £9,000!!!  Comfy chairs for the rooms are being purchased and we are consulting with other CF patients on what else is needed for the ward.
Lastly, this weekend I am off to London for Nicola's hen weekend.   I think by next week I might need to just sleep for a few day haha.  It will be great though and the sun is forecast to be shining :-)