On the Road to Recovery

Today I finally feel as though I am making some real progress towards feeling myself again. Not quite the pre January 2014 self that was able to manage a full week of work in retail as well as 2-3 rehearsals a week and an aerial silks class but the self that I need to accept that I am until the magic phone call comes.

Whilst I still feel like I am walking around with not only a full-term baby sized spleen as well as a baby sized rock in my abdomen, this is a definite improvement on the 2 baby sized rocks from last week. I probably wouldn't be offended at this point if someone were to suggest I might be pregnant as I am fully aware that I look as though I could be. This probably isn't helped much by the fact that I tend to hold my swollen tummy to stop it from wobbling around uncomfortably!

Back to today and it's successes. 

I managed to drive myself (first time since coming out of hospital last Thursday) to Uni for a couple of meetings with my mentoring tutor and the DSA to discuss ways to make the course work for me. When I applied for the course, my health was looking relatively good and I hadn't had any admissions for over 6 months so I was confident that I would be able to manage. Recent events however, indicate that I might need to slow down a little bit and the University are really supportive with making sure this happens as best as possible. After a discussion with my mentor, we have concluded that whilst I would like to be able to attend the full day of lectures every week, there may not be much point as by the end of the day, little to nothing is being absorbed and I'm pretty done in both mentally and physically. Having taken advantage of the note-takers a couple of times now, it is clear that they are a great help and that I can, and should, take advantage of them. This frees me up to do a bit more study at my own pace and to be able to break lectures up into more manageable chunks. It does also mean that I am likely to find myself a bit behind at all times as it is taking me that bit longer to get through the necessary material. At the moment, I am OK with that. As so many people keep reminding me, my health must come first and I am not intending to be slack on the course and want to achieve a good result at the end of the day and there are ways of getting there without ending up in hospital again! The DSA appointment was helpful and they have suggested and put forward some really interesting software that will help with study at home and at Uni. This has all helped to make me feel a bit more relaxed about the course.

After a good rest at home, and managing to listen to one of my old lectures that has been recorded, I also managed to cook dinner and get out for a twenty minute twilight walk with the puppy dog. Luckily she is good at entertaining herself and spent most of the 20 minutes running in circles around me and tiring herself out. I loved being able to do this and even though my knees are a little sore now, I feel like it is a great improvement on the last few days. Fingers crossed that I haven't spoken too soon and that I don't suffer the consequences tomorrow. I have been sensible and broken the day up with an afternoon break and am now pretty much done for the day so all should be good!

A slightly demonic looking Coco Pup at the end of our evening walk!

Keep Smiling :) 

I do love a good list!

1. Thank you

A big thank you to everyone for their love, support and words of encouragement not only over the last few days, but throughout my journey. You are all amazing and keep me strong and positive. I hope that should any of my family and friends need me, they feel able to ask. I certainly don't want others to think that I have enough on my plate - part of what makes me happy is to know others around me are happy and to provide support and care to those who need it.

Beautiful flowers that were sitting on my desk for me when I got back to work on Thursday

2. Dog invasion

Friday night was mayhem. Mum arrived for a visit with 3, yes 3, dogs in tow. Our two family dogs, Paddy and Tess, and her temporary guest, Klaus. 

We enjoyed a quick snuggle on the sofa before I needed to head off to rehearsal...

L to R: Coco, Mum, Paddy, Me, Tess

Klaus's little legs couldn't quite get him up there to join us! (He's a long haired dashund with teeny tiny legs!)

3. Meeting Ava

The purpose of mum's visit was so we could meet baby Ava, born to very good family friends whilst I was waiting to hear news about my potential new liver!

She was sound asleep in her gorgeous basket when we arrived. Chris and Lucie were glowing and didn't look at all tired (although I'm sure they were) and nana and pops were proudly watching over their amazing family. 

Ava woke and was ready for a change (time for pops to step up to the mark), then a feed. Mum and I shared feeding duty after which I fell asleep. With Ava. 

I am very much looking forward to having the chance to be a mother myself, something that is currently on hold until probably about a year post transplant to give my body time to heal. In the meantime, I will enjoy times like this with other people's delightful little miracles that I can give back when they are less peaceful!

4. Officially a Student

On Friday afternoon, I completed my registration at... UWE! I am officially a student again and will be starting my MPH on Thursday. People have questioned my timing with this. Why take on a university course when I might have to leave for an indefinite amount of time? Am I well enough to take this on? Is it really a good idea? 

The answer is simple. I don't know how long I will have to wait for a new liver. I don't want to put everything on hold whilst I wait for this phone call and if I can at least make a start to working towards a future, then why shouldn't I? If another call does come through, I pause the course and return when I'm able to. I may need to repeat modules or coursework but I am prepared for this. 

Here's to a new chapter!

Keep Smiling :)

Decisions, Decisions!

Things have been pretty exciting lately...

I recently decided (after at least a year of thinking about it) to apply for a masters in Public Health. This is a subject that I find incredibly interesting, partly due to having to go through the health system so much during my life so far and partly because it is an area that my family have had a great deal to do with. My Dad was a GP For 30 years and my Mum works in Health Improvement. 

I sent off applications to Bristol UWE and the University of Bristol to undertake the course part time alongside work.

Last week, I was offered a place at UWE and excitedly accepted. After a week of juggling, my employer managed to alter my job role and hours to suit the course and have been incredibly supportive and flexible. 

Today, I received a phone call from one the admissions team at Bristol University to discuss my capability to cope with the scientific nature of the course. Having perviously studied English and Business, they wanted to make sure i was prepared for something a little more science based than I might be used to. After this conversation, I was offered a place at the University! AMAZING!!

BUT- now I have to make a decision between the two and decision making is really not my forte... 

I will make sure I keep my avid readers informed of the outcome!

Keep Smiling :)

p.s - I will also soon learn how to respond to the lovely comments I have had so far. Apologies for not working this out sooner.