My....How Time Does Fly....

Good Afternoon All....

Here I am...back at last. We had a lovely Christmas, the Girlz got spoilt rotten (as usual) and I managed to put on 3lbs!!

Just before New Year I woke up with a nasty sore throat...then the dreaded bug struck :( I was coughing, sneezing, terrible chesty but couldn't get to clinic because of the weather. So I did the sensible thing and stayed in the warm with plenty of fluids, paracetamol and sleep. I'm over it now thank goodness but the strange thing was all the pain and chestyness were all on the right hand side...

It is a year to the day since I had my LVRS at Harefield. When I was researching Alpha1 and transplants I came across Native Lung Hyperinflation, so when Dr Carby told me this was the the cause of my breathlessness after my transplant I wasn't too worried. I spoke to my surgeon and she went through everything with me and we decided to schedule the surgery in the New Year. We started off with a VATS but unfortunately there were so many adhesions, and scarring from the constant infections, it had to be converted to a full inscision. I went into recovery where my blood pressure dropped and I had to go back into theatre to fix a small bleed. It developed where the bottom of the right lung had to be detatched from the diaphragm...but I came out of it alright.

I actually had two thirds of my right lung removed but WOW...I noticed the difference straight away. I had terrible trouble getting the pain under control...I mean I'd been through two major abdominal surgeries and a lung transplant but this was a whole different ball game. In the end I was on so much pain relief, I was seeing and hearing things...I've never been so frightened so in the end I had to get home as soon as possible...so I discharged myself.

So here I am now...heading towards my third TX anniversary and doing really well...I can't believe it has all gone so fast...Four years ago I was in our local hospital and my DBH was told I wouldn't make it through the night...Now here I am, running around after the Girlz and being a part time carer. Every single day, with every single breath I take, I give thanks for my donor and their family.

On a sadder note..

A very courageous young lady lost her fight for life...Sleep softly Jess, Breathe well my friend.

Love and hugz to all

Stevieanne

Good Evening One and All...

Last post from me untill after the Holidays.

Tomorrow is a very special day for me (hence the photograph)...I'm celebrating my 33rd wedding anniversary...Not bad considering we were told it would only last six months!! In case you are wondedring, I was a child bride!! (Well eighteen and a half LOL) ;p

The last three years have been extra special as they are years we thought we would never have. We celebrated our pearl wedding in 2006...By then I was completely bed bound and bearly able to breathe, even on 4ltrs of 02 an hour...24/7. My amazing DBH was my sole carer, doing absolutely everything for me...watching me struggle for each and every breath...Even helping me plan my own funeral :*(

Then I was blessed with the gift of life...and while my life has changed completely...my love for my DBH has only grown stronger. So tomorrow we will be going into St Edwards church in Romford as usual and light a candle for all the family and friends we have lost and for being given another wonderful year of marriage...but most imortantly for my wonderful donor and their family.

May you have a wonderful Christmas filled with the joy and love of family and friends...And a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year

Sending positive thoughts, light and love to all

Love and Hugz

Stevieanne, DBH, and the Girlz.

The Start of a New Week...

Good Day to all...

It's a day of ups and downs here in H/wood

I had a lovely weekend as my younger brother came over from Hendon. It's always good to see him and he gets on well with my DBH...he'll be back Thursday and we're having him for Christmas ( I know...most people have turkey!!!! LOLOL)

Today is one of my dearest friends birthday...Lee lives over in Texas and has been one of my internet Angels, always there to pick me up on my down days. Many Happy Returns of the day my little Texan cupcake :)*

A lady who I truly admire and whose wonderful artwork I love and use a lot in my PSP (see the two tags on this page) has had a terrible year and will be in hospital over Christmas so lots of positive thoughts, love and light are heading to Suzy Woolcott in Glasgow :)*

Young Victoria had a bad night, last night. Poor love has been up and down all night and feels really run down today. My heart goes out to her and everyone who had a lung condition...I remember only too well what it was like and I don't intend to forget...It reminds me of how blessed I have been. Lots of positive thoughts, blessings, love and light coming your way sweetheart. :)*

Hoping you all have a brighter day

peace and karma

Stevieanne

Good Day Everyone...

Beautiful, sunny, and cold here in H/Wood...But a very unhappy camper here :*(

I was going into town today for a bit more shopping...got up nice and early, bright eyed and bushy tailed...then the meds struck!! So I'm tucked up in the warm with "tummy issues" !! It's nice to spend time with the Girlz, but it does get me down sometimes.

It is almost as if you swap one set of "illnesses" for another...A lot of people think once you have your transplant, you're sorted, cured, life goes on as usual...NO, NO, NO!! As a TX patient I have a whole routine I have to go through every morning...check weieght, check temperature and put into Blue Book...I also check my blood pressure, pulse rate, sats and peak flow...Then as a Lung TX I also have to check my FEV's with a spirometery machine. Then I can have a cuppa!! Then there are the Meds.

I am lucky as I don't take as many as some people I know...9 in the morning and 5 before bed...Some of them have horrid side effects but it's something you learn to live with...just think of the alternative!! With me it's head and tummy troubles...I can be laid flat out by a migraine for a couple of days at a time and it's no fun running to the loo with the Girlz at your heels!! LOL

Do not get me wrong

I would do this and much more to be where I am now...I feel I have been truly blessed...Instead of being totally bed-bound, on oxygen 24/7 and STILL be gasping for breath, thinking (and wishing?) the next breath could be my last, I can now do so much more...just simple things like taking a bath, getting dressed, playing with my Girlz, going shopping!! LOL Each day, with every single breath I take, I give thanks for my donor and their family.

Lunch for me now...chicken soup!! Have a good day all

peace and karma

Stevieanne

Baby...It's COLD out there!!!

Good Afternoon All...

Winter is definitely here in H/Wood...flurries of snow according to my DBH (Dearly Beloathed...er Beloved Husband!!) LOL I'm just teasing...He truly is my soul mate and my rock...Without him I would not be here...We will be celebrating our 33rd Wedding anniversary on the 24th. :)

Mind you, the weather won't stop the Girlz going out in the garden every five minutes...Well maybe Perdy won't be so keen...Cassie and the baby, Dodo never let a little thing like mud and wet stop them!! They go tearing round the garden like whirling dervishes...usually with Dido hanging on for grim death to Cassie's tail!! LOLOL.

My clinic visit went well...All my levels are all within normal (me, normal? they must have the wrong patient) LOL My FEV's are UP again...AND my weight, 122lbs yikes!! Mind you Martin (Dr. Carby) is not concerned so...With my height I can afford to still put on a couple of pounds!! I go back to clinic on 27th of May next year, it will be my three year anniversary on the 29th :) I actually like going to Harefield...I get the chance to catch up with everyone ...And you feel normal, cos we are all in the same boat :p

More good news...one of my Alpha "Sisters", Nancy got The call for a double lung tx and is doing fine...so positive thoughts and blessings are winging their way across The Pond!! Victoria, a lovely young lady who lives close to me is waiting for her call and has been low so the same thoughts and blessings go out to her...Keep your chin up sweetheart!! :)*

Once I get the hang of all this, I'll rustle up some pics of the Girlz and pics of the PSP "tags" I have created...You have been warned!!! LOLOL

Stay well and wrap up warm

peace & karma

Stevieanne

Hope I've got this right!!

Good morning all and welcome to my world!!

To be honest, I`m not too sure about this...I mean I enjoy writing and I was always good at English at school (mind that was some time ago LOL) But can I find something to write about every day?

What I can do is to write honestly and as often as I can.

peace &karma

Stevieanne