Cyprus

We got back last weekend but I have been rather caught up this week!  Will summarise the holiday in pictures :-)

Paphos harbour

Small castle in Paphos - view from top of castle

Andrew with the very small castle!

Paphos is a national heritage site due to ancient ruins and the uncovering of many mosaics.  These would have been on the floor of villas previously on this site.  The heritage site is massive and they are still working to uncover items.

Above sunset is from the veranda of hotel bar.  The picture below is from where we had lunch in the hotel everyday.  There was a private cove at the beach, although the beaches are largely rocky in Cyprus.

Hotel pool

Ready for dinner

Andrew braved the pool - it was rather chilly!!!

If we didn't like the evening entertainment we played cards :-)

These pictures are at the Tombs of the Kings.   Although no kings were ever buried here, it was a burial site.  There are tombs carved out of the rock - that's me standing in the entrance to one below.

Monastery and Hermitage

Andrew with his Godparents, Pat and Andy, who now live in Cyprus

Above, my wee water shoes for wandering about rock pools!  I did go in the sea one day with them :-)  Below, the beach at the hotel with Andrew looking out to sea.

Making a 'handy heart' - the symbol that the organ donor battlefront campaign are using :-)

Undersea Walking!!  We basically had to climb down a ladder at the end of a pier (see last pic) and they lowered these massive diving bells onto your head - they weigh about 30kg but as soon as your head goes under water they are weightless.  You then climb the ladder down to the sea bed and then they walk you out away from the pier.  It was really choppy that day we went so they had to take an instructer down per person to make sure we didn't fall over or float away!  The equipment stays on land, and there is air being pumped into the diving bells - so you breathe normally and it doesn't fill with water.  The instructers then had bread to feed the fish and we all got given some.  I really loved that - although the fish were quite nippy!!  I managed not to fall over (which is a surprise).  My lungs were great but my ears were really sore with the pressure change - but i was just so glad I was able to do it!!

We had a lovely time and managed to relax.  It's a shame that work awaits when you come home, but that's life eh?  I will be back later to post about the halloween party and a change in venue! 

Just Giving

I am all set for my holidays but there will be only 10 days left before our halloween party when I come so wanted to make a quick post!

We have created a Just Giving page for the Butterfly Trust to run alongside the Halloween Party.  This is for anyone who would like to support the event but can't come along - every penny is welcomed by the charity.   I have created a widget on the right on this page for easy access.

For those who wish to attend, don't use this page to pay for tickets.  Either get them online or email teamglasgow for more information.

Freshers Festival and Friends

It's been a bit non stop this week!  I had a quiet day on Tuesday (Fran's birthday) and went into meet Andrew for lunch on this break.  Wednesday I went to pick up the organ donor kit at 8am then I was presenting a case for teaching at work, then busy clinic and then drove straight into town to start assembling the desk for Thursday morning.  You could get access in the evening to park nearby to transfer items for your stand and to start building this, otherwise you needed to be there at 8am and have it done for the health and safety check at 8.30am but with no unloading at the site.  Luckily Andrew met me and provided his flat pack building skills to put together this podium that you post completed forms into (on loan from Scottish Government) and to pull all the banners up (which I am too small to do) and carry heavy boxes I can't lift!  They had upgraded us to a bigger desk which was good because we had lots of stuff to spread out :-)

Thursdsay morning I got the train in and realised when I got there I had forgotten a table cover (these weren't included) so had to leg it up to John Lewis for it opening and buy some paper ones.  The desk looked fab once we had it all set out though.  We had the two LLTGL banners and also the purple Scottish government one for organ donation.  It was myself, Victoria and Kirsty in the morning and then after Kirsty went to work, Gregg came to help for the rest of the day.  It was absolutely mobbed - they have about 15,000 students through the doors over 2 days!  The encouraging thing was that a massive amount of students had already signed up through their provisional driving license, Boots card or when registering at the GP after moving to uni.  For those who hadn't signed up we had a lot of good chats, gave out info and made people atop and think.   The students went a bit mad for the logo bugs and we gave out all 300 (having to hold them back to make them last the two days).

Day two was marginally quieter but busier for us as we were able to stop more people and have a chat - when it was too busy it was harder to do this.  It was mostly myself and Victoria, although Gregg managed to come down again and help.  We got all the people at one of the other stalls to sign up and promised them a logo bug for each person they got to sign up after that - they brought us quite a few as a result!  It was good fun although I was utterly exhausted - we were there from 9-5pm both days and I didn't sit down at all.  It was also the freak heat wave and inside the tent (with no air con and next to a stall making popcorn) we were melting!   However in the two days we signed up 121 people on the spot and gave away hundreds of leaflets to people interested.  So it was definately worth it and I think Team Glasgow did well!  For pictures go the the Team Glasgow Blog, where Victoria has uploaded them.

I didn't slow down for yesterday as we had a big group of friends over for the night, but it was great fun and I had a fab night.  I just tend to cook something easy for people to help themselves so we had chilli con carne (with my portion having no spice haha) and rhubarb crumble.  More importantly this year we had a fridge almost entirely dedicated to beer which was rather useful ;)  Everyone has just gone home now and I might just need to go for a nap soon...!

Only one day at work then it is my holidays and I can finally stop for a while :-)

Frances Ann's Birthday

Today is Frances Ann's birthday - she would have been 27.  Will be thinking of her today and always xx

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough."

Rabindranath Tagore

Speakers Project and Parties

Emily was staying last weekend as she was running a Speakers Project in Glasgow. This is a Live Life Then Give Life initiative which aims to help people who have had experience of transplant (themselves or relatives/friends) learn skills on how to speak publicly about these experiences.  Although I have spoken before, I found it particularly useful for looking at time keeping and condensing the message effectively when given a short time slot.  I am not so good at stopping talking haha!  Andrew also came along and I think he enjoyed the experience and he was very good at giving his talk - I think it's actually harder for a partner or relative to talk about the experience than it is for the person themselves.  There were 2 sessions because you can only about 5-6 per session ideally, as every one has to practice giving a talk.  Myself and Victoria went to both session because Emily decided she needed some 'lungs' for the afternoon.  I really enjoyed the afternoon as I met a lady who had a heart transplant 10 years ago, a lady who had undergone 2 kidney transplants and also caught up with Catriona, whose son had a small bowel transplant.  It was fascinating to hear their stories.

Deep concentration

It was also great to catch up with Emily.   Seb was delighted to see her again, and as he did the last time she visited, he followed her everywhere!  I think he was in love.  He did knock her door a few times during the night but was then quite good and just lay outside the door.  At one point he heard her coughing though and started crying because he wanted to go into the room!!  It's very odd but rather cute :-)

Work has been super busy and I ended up staying late every day, which is not a good habit to start.  I think possibly the fact I have had quite a few study days and holidays coming up has also made things busier, as you do end up still trying to fit in the same amount of work.  It's not as if patients can choose to not get unwell just because I am going on holiday.  Today is a bank holiday so that is giving me a wee rest and then it's a busy week.  I am presenting a case at teaching on Wednesday morning and all day Thursday and Friday we are running an organ donor desk for LLTGL at the Freshers Festival.  This should be a great opportunity to get people signing up, although I imagine an exhausting couple of days.

At the weekend we have all Andrews friends (also mine of course) coming to stay.  I am looking forward to this and it should be a good laugh.  I have at least finished decorating so the place is in some kind of order haha.

I am also working hard on getting support for the Halloween Party.  I will only have about 10 days once I am back from holiday to get sorted so if people want tickets can you let me know asap, before I go away.  I had a meeting down at the union and had another look at the venue - it should be fab with all the decorations.  They are going to put some posters up, as are the medical school.  We do need more people though so if you are at all interested please get in touch.

Email

Tickets

Anne's 60th

Very busy week so not had time to blog!  I am leaving shortly to pick up Emily from the airport, so thought I should do a quick blog before another eventful weekend begins :-)

Last weekend we were down in Hawick for Anne's 60th birthday party.  We had it in the village hall and it was a fab night.  I think everyone invited was there and we had a mixture of chatting, dancing and a bit of a sing song as well.  There was a lovely atmosphere which is always a sign someone has lots of very good friends :-)

Fab cake by Lindsay Banks - Sweet as Cakes

Me and Corey

I made little lights for tables 

I was also at a couple of day conferences this week - one about medical conditions presenting in psychiatry and the other about personality disorder.  Both were very interesting and helpful for clinical practice.  I really enjoyed the medical one as there is always a little bit of me misses that side of medicine.  The only downside to being at these conferences is that I had to work superhard  on Monday to get things organised and finished as I wouldn't be back in for the rest of the week.  Work is very busy at the moment as they have not filled the vacant staff grade job.  I am doing my best to cover things but am starting to feel the pressure now.   I will have to be careful about not getting overloaded although it's easier said than done.  Just trying to keep a level head and calm approach - I can only do so much.

Exciting news is that we have booked a holiday for beginning of October to Cyprus.   I can't wait!!!  I haven't taken any annual leave since May so am really looking forward to some relaxation and a last minute top up of sun before winter is upon us.    We are going to Paphos although faffed about so long that by the time we booked it we had missed flights, so have to fly into the other airport in Cyprus and transfer.  Never mind, it will still be worth it.

This weekend Emily is up because she is running the Speakers Project in Glasgow tomorrow.  I am going to the morning session then will help out in the afternoon.  The aim is to provide people who have had transplant, are waiting on or are involved in some way (relatives usually) with the skills to speak about organ donation.  I think its a really useful project because the people who have experiences transplant really are the best advocates.    It will be interesting to hear about other people's stories.

Life is busy but good :-)

Fran's Anniversary 9th September

Hard to believe that tomorrow another year will have passed and it is now 7 years since we lost Frances Ann.  I always do find September really hard and this week I have felt quite emotional.  I think it's always worse at work because I am trying to listen to people's worries and woes, yet at times I would just like to have a wee greet myself! 

I have a memory box (I say a memory box, it's actually a Barratts shoe box!) with loads of pictures, cards and letters from Fran.  There are pictures dating back to when she was really young and although the pictures are really good, the spelling is quite funny lol.  I think there was a 'hossy' (horse), golden egel (eagle) and I was apparently the 'best sister in the wirild'.  The latter pictures are really good and she had great artistic flair.  Then there are the letters.  Some of these are written to me when I was in hospital, most of these finish with p.s I fed the fish.  Some are just random - there is a cute one where she is telling me she has left my breakfast out for me because I wasn't feeling well.   Some are written when I was at uni and she was still at home - she was in her teens.  There was a couple of things that just made me laugh out loud tonight:

"I made dinner tonight.  Mum was mad at me because I told her I didn't know what to do with tatties.  She gave me a row and went out but I still didn't know what to do."    I remember this incident - mum was horrified that she had got to this age and didn't know how to boil a tattie.  There was another time when mum had phoned home from work and Fran answered but mum thought it was me.  She started telling her to put on the meatballs for dinner ....Fran just said "mum, you obviously think it's Jacqueline so I will just hand the phone to her."

Another quote was "Granda came up to the house today.  He said my room was a total mess.  It must be really bad if Granda can even see it."  My Granda had macular degeneration and was practically blind at this point!!  Fran was one of the messiest people I know.  She used to get a row of the nurses in hospital all the time because her hospital room was such a tip.  I was the complete opposite and when we shared a room seemed to spend most of my time tidying her half!

The other amusing thing was the number of names she signed letters off with.  These included 'banana milkshake', Batman (formally known as Fran), Queen Fran and in another letter she was telling me that at a church youth event she had to wear a name badge, so she changed her name to Zara Lane for the day. 

I am glad I have all these wee memories and it's nice to have letters and cards to help bring these back.  Always in my heart xxx

Catch Up

Another few busy weekends!  This weekend we had a lovely treat, going to Cameron House Hotel in Loch Lomond for afternoon tea :-)  This was part of Anne's 60th birthday celebrations, so it was Anne, John, my mum and dad, Andrews gran and great aunt and myself and Andrew.  It was a lovely tea with lots of cakes and great coffee.  Me and Andrew drank about 2 massive pots between us, so I was a bit buzzy for the rest of the day.  Never a good thing since I am pretty buzzy without!

On Sunday we were at Uncle Hughs parish fete.  They were so lucky with the weather and had a massive turn out of people - I am talking hundreds!  They have raised over £11,000 in one day.  Fantastic.  We also managed to finish building the wardrobe and drawers for the spare room - so that's finished.  Phew.  I was going to paint something for above the bed but decided to make this collage instead - cutting out little birds from some cool paper I had.  It's a bit mental.  But then so am I.

Yesterday I was at the 2nd meeting of the Transplant Psychiatry Group.  I think we are changing the name to Transplant Psychological Medicine or something though because it is open to psychologists, nurses and social workers affiliated with transplant in the UK.  The idea at the moment is to get an idea of the current services provided for pre and post transplant patients in the UK and how this varies across regions (and organs!)  We would then be looking forward to how these services can be improved and what transplant teams, and the patients, are looking for.   I somehow managed to volunteer to speak at the next meeting about the patients perspective, which I think is vital.  The group were in agreement about this.  I am not sure of the format yet - perhaps taking them through my experience of the transplant journey but also will try to gather some information from other transplant recipients and those on the list, about their thoughts on psychological input (or lack of).  Andrew said I only volunteered because "you like to get your wee neb in!"  Correct!!

We have been at two very different concerts as well over the last few weeks.  On our wedding anniversary we went to see Dolly Parton at the SECC.  It was fab!!  She is a fantastic singer and sounded the same live as she does on her recordings.  She also played tons of instruments.piano, guitar, saxophone, banjo, penny whistle and others.  Andrew wasn't quite so sure but he did still enjoy it!   The last week we went through to the Edinburgh festival to hear our friend Tomoko Kinuta playing the flute.  This was in the art gallery and she played a combination of Japanese flute and the European flute.  We had only heard her play once at a friends wedding so it was lovely to get a chance to hear her perform and we thought she was amazing!  I have also booked tickets for Alabama 3 who are playing at the 02 Academy.  No one seems to know who I am talking about though.  They describe themselves as 'acid house country rock'.  You can tell from the above three concerns/gigs that my taste in music is somewhat eclectic.


Victoria was over last week and we had a skype meeting with Kirsty about the Halloween Party.  Skype because Kirsty had a cough and we can't mix if any one of us potentially has infection.  We have decided to focus on the Halloween Party as purely a party, with DJ, dancing and only having some prizes for best dress etc and hopefully face painter and tarot card reader. We are not going to have tomobola etc this time as it doesn't seem like that kind of evening.  We are going to work hard on the decorations to make it super cool, and on selling as many tickets as possible - we need the place to be jumping!  I will also get round to setting up a Just Giving page for donations if people cannot attend but want to support us.  We really need to sell tickets at the moment as we have things to pay for and no money to do it!  So ways to help:

1. If you are planning to come, please purchase a ticket online or email me direct if you are going to see me and can therefore get tickets from me.  I know it seems a long time away but its only next month and we need idea of numbers!  See link below for online tickets.  £10 or £8 student.
2.  If you have any halloween decorations or contacts for decorations, please let me know.
3.  We are still trying to get a tarot card reader/angel card reader/palm reader type person.  If you have any contacts please get in touch!!!!
4. Please circulate the facebook page and help us to get as many people as possible!

HALLOWEEN PARTY 

In Memory of Margaret

I wanted to share a link to a fundraising walk that my best buds brother is doing next weekend.  It's a night time marathon for Cancer Research and is in memory of their mum, Margaret Gilchrist.

Margaret sadly lost her battle with cancer less than two weeks ago, very suddenly, having initially responded well to treatment last year.   It has been devastating for her beautiful family of five daughters, a son and her husband.  She was one of the most selfless and thoughtful people I have ever met.

I used to go round to Claire's house every week when we were at school.  We had decided to join a badminton club - not really to play, but to sit about and chat!  So it seemed necessary for me to go to Claire's house straight from school, have dinner with them and then Claire's dad or brother would drive us to the club.  I only lived 5 minutes car drive away so I am not sure why this seemed so necessary!  Given the size of the family I am not sure how they squeezed me round the table, but it never seemed to be an issue.    We always knew that if Claire's mum or my mum said we were allowed to do something, then the other would also agree.   When we were older and at university, we used to have these phone calls about various dilemmas.  It would often end with 'ok, you phone your mum and I'll phone mine, and see what they say'.  We would then discuss their advice, which was inevitably the same.

Claire's mum has supported every charity event I have had - even joining us on the team Jac walk after my transplant.  She was one of those people who always remembers your birthday and every important date.  She wrote my anniversary card and had it posted the day she died.  I will treasure that card for ever.  That really sums up the kind of person she was.  I am sure she will be looking down on the whole family and will always be proud. 

If you want to support this fab family and give to a great cause, here is the link:

Brians Walk

Happy 7th Wedding Anniversary!

It was our 7th wedding anniversary on Saturday :-)  7 years seems a long time although we have been together for over 12 years this new year.  I thought it would be fun to post some pictures through the years, especially since it has been quite a journey!

2000

Just before we got together, New Year in Edinburgh (andrew doing the 'arm hover' haha!)

2001 

Me looking a bit skinny - I think Andrew had to take me home that night as I wasn't well - first of many times having to do that!

2002 

My graduation
Andrew kept me sane through the exams - Frances Ann had been very ill in the lead up to my finals and I needed someone to keep me on the right track!

2003

Central Park, New York - day we got engaged!

2004

Our Wedding!

2005

At my cousins wedding
Missing Frances Ann at a big family event, but lucky to have Andrew there with me

2006

At a friends wedding.  I am starting to get quite unwell by this time and was placed on transplant list in May of this year. 

2007

London - when I was short listed for CF achiever award

I was really not well that weekend but amazing what plenty of make up can do :-)

2008

Just before my transplant call - and only couple weeks after the false alarm, where they started  surgery.   Looking surprisingly well (courtesy of steroids) but feeling rather rough!!  Andrew had to carry my massive oxygen concentrator into the hotel because I wanted to stay all weekend haha.  He also carried my wee cylinders about for me :-)

2008 (few weeks later)

First walk along the corridor post transplant!!  An amazing moment!

(ignore the mental hair and dodgy tracksuit!)

2009

Able to enjoy a good party and I think Andrew looks more relaxed!

2010

starting to lose the steroid look and enjoying another party!

2011

Sorrento - up a hill!!  Finally getting to go on holidays and enjoy them :-)

....and now to look forward to many more years!!

London

I had a lovely weekend in London. We headed down on the Friday and took Victoria's laptop so we could watch films on the train journey. We went to the cinema that night and headed into London on the Saturday. I did get Victoria lost looking for the underground near her cousins house, and after all the walking and asking people, we ended up getting a bus anyway. She now knows never to rely on me for directions haha. We managed to get some last minute tickets for Shrek the musical for the Saturday night and just spent some time during the day wandering and sitting in the sun.  Some random tourist asked if he could take a picture of Victoria's hair - we weren't sure if it was the style (it was pinned in a curl at back) or because it's red!   Shrek was really good, although Wicked is still my favourite! On Sunday we were getting the train at lunch time so chilled with Victoria's cousin, his wife and wee boy, Joseph. It was a pretty relaxed weekend and nice to get away :-)

I arrived back to find Andrew had been very busy with DIY and had finished the floor in the spare room and decided to lift and start laying the new flooring in our room. It is starting to look really good - just some last minute sorting of skirting boards, and we should be fine to put furniture back into spare room. I was thinking we were nearly finished and could just stop painting and sorting for a while - but there seems to be some loose plaster in the hallway ceiling, where we had artex skimmed last year. I have a horrible feeling they are going to suggest re-plastering the whole area, which is rather messy. Will just have to wait and see as the builder is coming to look at it soon, and to also look at patio area again.


Work has been busy as they are still trying to find someone to replace the other staff grade, who has moved onto a new job. I know it will eventually get sorted but it's annoying at the moment, as I am really the only person around for the crisis team at the moment. I think I am also a bit stressed about our Halloween Party. I start to worry about enough people coming, selling tickets, having enough help, making enough money etc...I know I just have to learn to go with the flow but my mind does tend to race ahead. The early bird tickets are only until the end of this month so get your tickets now before price goes up :-)

Tickets Here

The house that Jac built..

Another busy couple of weeks, so not much time for blogging!  We are having a last push on finishing off all the painting and decorating in the house, so over the past couple of weekends we have been trying to decorate the two spare rooms, which we had been leaving until last.  We have painted walls, ceilings, skirting boards, lifted and removed old laminate flooring and now laying new laminate.  One bedroom is finished and the floor is half down on the second one.  We are both exhausted!  My knees are covered in bruises and I am slightly hobbling after I tripped over a pile of laminate flooring yesterday and went clattering down, paint pot flying and brush in hand.  Luckily the pot of paint I practically threw at the wall in my effort not to fall over was the right colour for the wall, so that was handy :-)  I have managed not to fall off any ladders yet and am becoming rather adept at removing skirting boards, and filling nail holes, sanding skirting boards and all sorts.  My dad taught me well.   I was really offended at the weekend when in B+Q this assistant asked me if I was lost because I was in the joinery section on my own - he said "whenever I see a woman up here it's because she is lost!"  I politely told him I was not lost and knew exactly what I was looking for thank you :-)

The garden has improved massively since I last blogged  - the tree is finally all removed with roots dug out and the hole filled.  Apparently there was another set of deep roots under the earth so it took the guys a full day of digging.  The shed was then delivered and built last week and looks great, although it's massive.  Andrew said he couldn't downsize and got the nearest to what we had, but I am not sure I believe him.  You could easily live in there ;-)   I couldn't believe how quickly they built it though.  I offered the guys a cup of tea and by the time I take it out the shed was nearly built!  The greenhouse was built at the weekend and Andrew dug all the vegetable beds out, so the garden looks a lot tidier.   We need to build up the rockery where the tree was but there is no rush to get this done.   We are almost back to where we were in May before this happened!  Hopefully we will manage to get our patio finished this year after all.

shed - greenhouse is now built next to this

Seb has been very sad at the loss of his shed, however I am sure he will find something else to amuse himself with soon enough.   Today he managed to more or less smash through the fence trying to reach dad, who was painting the side of the extension from the neighbours garden.   There has been a little hole in the fence panel that Seb has been gradually making bigger by picking off bits of wood with his paws.  I kid you not.   He went a bit mental today though because he could see dad on the other side of the hedge, so now there is a large hole.  I was going to replace that bit of fence anyway...

Seb wonders where his tree has gone..

Seb lying on the floor of the old shed...somewhat mournfully

This weekend myself and Victoria had planned to visit Lu, as it's her birthday and transplant anniversary.  However poor Lu was admitted to hospital in Newcastle after her appointment last week so won't be home in time.  She is having some treatment so keep your fingers crossed it is effective.   Me and Victoria are going to go down to London anyway as we have our train tickets already and we are staying with Victoria's cousin so we don't have cost of accommodation.  I am looking forward to a lovely weekend that doesn't involve painting or flooring!!