Alice had a relatively good day today. This morning's pain has subsided. The remaining two drainage tubes came out, but the one 'wound' from the tube kept on oozing ... seems like it stopped now, but it is likely to be from all the movement today (according to the physiotherapist). Apparently it wasn't very painful when they removed it, but it felt very weird when they pulled it out. She also walked around twice, which I believe is very good. And her sats is 100%. At the moment she is waiting to see the Doctors and to get the results from x-rays that was taken earlier today - she's quite nervous about this, as it will determine whether she needs some more drainage tubes.

She's also very excited to watch Private Practice (the 1st season started last week here is South Africa) as she missed the first episode ... And she is enjoying a coffee table book about Elizabeth I, which her mom bought for her.

I think, all and all, a good day!

Just an update

I again spoke to Alice last night! I'm sure that once she has internet access again, and is able to update her blog she'll have tons of stories to tell!

We spoke mainly about the operation and how scared she was - but, seriously, who wouldn't have been??

She is also managing without O2 for longer periods of time, which is great news - I can't wait for the day when she doesn't rely on O2 all the time. As friends we always use to joke that we need to 'plug her in' (referring to her portable O2) whenever she came to visit ... and, when she would laugh, the machine would start to beep like crazy (probably thinking something is wrong) because she wasn't inhaling from her nose - we use to tell her that the one of fundementals of living is breathing, and she shouldn't confuse her machine (and I think, deep down, scare us)! We had some wonderfull times, and I'm sure there'll be many more to come in the future, albeit without her O2 machine :)!

This morning she is in a lot of pain, but as she said, when somebody 'ripped' open your chest, who wouldn't be in a ton of pain? Please pray that the pain subsides and that she can manage.

Also, a message from her mom (which I forgot to post earlier) - although the thought is appreciated, please do NOT send flowers or sweets to Alice. She may not have flowers and she is diabetic (CF related diabetes) - just a card at this stage will be great!

I also posted some photo's of Alice ...
The one of Alice and her sister, Chrislie on New Years Eve this year - Alice is on portable O2 and she still has her PICC line for the IV antibiotics.
The other one was taken last year in October, at my birthday party - we've been friends since primary school ... from left to right it's Louzanne (now living in Cape Town), Alice, and me.

She's back in the land of the living ...

Alice is back on planet earth... i.e. she can communicate to everybody! Just spoke to her - have been waiting for this moment for so long! She's sounding a little bit hoarse, but that's because of the vent pipe, but other than that she's sounding great - not short of breath at all! Isn't this just wonderful news?!

She's VERY bored, and annoyed - she's just irritated!

She's also in her own room in a general ward, having a view and verandah to sit on, as well as a TV set!

Will be talking to her again later this afternoon, so will write more then.

PS: Tried the photo thing, but not sure if the layout looks right....

Just wanted to let everybody know that if there are some of you guys out there who would like to send Alice a card via post, please contact me directly for the address. My e-mail address is antoinettegreeff@gmail.com. Thanks for all the support so far, it is really much appreciated!

Sunny days

I'm so happy to report that Alice is doing better as each day passes.

Spoke to her mom, who reports that Alice will hopefully be moved to a general ward tomorrow - she is currently in isolation in the ICU. Once in a general ward she will have her own private room with a TV, and she will be able to sleep much better, and have some full time company via the TV set! She is also returning to her old self, not wanting her parents and sister to leave at the end of visiting hours, and I'm pretty sure she misses all her friends. As the weather has improved in JHB (it was raining last week) she also got to sit outside for a while today. And, she managed without oxygen for a while, with her O2 sats being 86%. The doctor's hope to take her off the O2 from tomorrow.

Her mom also said that the doctor's believe that the first 100 days are critical, as the lungs and her body are busy adjusting to one another. But things are looking very good thus far.

Alice is also in for some fun visits in the near future ... most of her PE friends will be flying up at to JHB over weekends, and I believe her aunt from England will be visiting soon too.

I can't wait for her to be back in Port Elizabeth. We are having a wonderful summers day here and I'm sure she would've loved to go to the beach for a swim and tan session. Thinking back to how she was before her CF became so much worse, I think all her friends will have a lot of trouble to keep up with her once she is back home. So we better prepare ourselves...

Just spoke to Alice's mom, René. Alice is doing REALLY GOOD! Her mom said that she overheard two doctor's talking - the one saying that Alice is doing 'fantastic', and the other agreeing - isn't that just great?!

She's also developed quite an appetite - she's eating very well, and finishes all her food at meal times, as well as two Tab softdrinks.

On behalf of the Vosloo family - They would really like to thank everybody for their ongoing interest, support and prayers for them and Alice!

GOOD NEWS

Hi, Antoinette here, for the moment I will be updating Alice's blog - Chrislie will be travelling to Johannesburg to be with her parents and Alice today.

An update on Alice's progress: She's VERY GOOD! Since this morning she has been able to sit up in a chair, and she's been eating and drinking (she's managed to finish a whole packet of chips and a Tab softdrink). At the moment she still has two of the drainage tubes in, as well as some of the drips. The drip in her neck and the other tubes have all come out, and I'm very sure that she is much more comfortable now! She is in some pain, but, according to her mom, she's managing it fine. Her dad also told me that her O2 sats are 100% - this is really awesome and just breathtaking, really :)!

She also wants to let everybody know that she says 'hi'!

Will keep you updated as often as I get news!

I'm leaving on a jet plane...

Chrislie is packing in, I believe, everything she can find. We have traveled through her parents, her and Alice's room, trying to find just the right stuff to take with. Chrislie will be leaving tomorrow afternoon and will only return in time for Varsity classes. She is very excited to go and is truly an amazing lady in the way she cares for her family.

Riaan is also here and gives a hand where he can. It is strange to see my friend get ready to leave on her own. I am left with a fantastical sense of reality that Alice will be coming home, 'living' again. I don't know about you, but it is all to much for my small brain to even comprehend.

Sitting here is Alice's room, I suddenly (and actually for the first time), read a quote on her wall...

"It is the possibility of having a dream come true that makes our life INTERESTING"

Alice had a big dream; she wanted to live. That made her become the wonderful person she is today. Looking around, I see the nostalgic pictures that remind me what a full and amazing life she has lived up to now. We are truly excited to see what she will be able to do now that her body will not be restricted anymore!

Keep up the prayers...we feel God at work more and more. May we all see the glory of His love being enveloped in Alice's 'new' life...

Fantastic news on this beautiful, sunny late Sunday afternoon

Alice is not on the ventilator anymore! During my parents visit this afternoon, they took it off and she now has an oxygen mask on. The doctor is very pleased with her. Alice is still doing really good; she asked my mom for Tab soft drink. Praise the LORD!

Great news on this beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon

My mom just phoned me, Alice is doing very good!
Her fever and her white blood count is down. The doctor is very pleased with her condition, but Alice is struggling to stay awake. My parents sat at her side the whole morning and tried to keep her awake by speaking to her. She understood them and also wrote on a paper that she wants her oxygen (she doesn't need it). The ventilator is set at low level of usage and the doctor what to take it off but Alice has to be completely awake.
Alice is really doing good. She waved at my parents and showed a thumbs-up when they asked her how she is doing.
Thank you so much for your prayers!

Good news on this beautiful, sunny Sunday morning

Alice's fever is down! My mom phoned the doctor this morning; they told her that Alice's fever is down, but they haven't done a white blood count this morning. She is also more conscious and more relaxed. Praise the LORD!

A peaceful heart, brings new breath...

Just spoke to Chrislie. Her mom says that it seems that her body is accepting her new lungs, because she is starting to breath on her own. She is more peaceful and has received new medication which calms her. Her white blood count and temperature is still high, so please pray for that. Riaan and myself (Euzanne) are still with Chrislie and she is doing a great job keeping everyone up to speed. Thank you for all your prayers, we are feeling and seeing it becoming reality! Praise be to God...

Saturday Night Fever

The doctors didn't allow my parents to visit Alice this morning. Alice is still restless and she has a fever. Her white blood count is up again, which could mean that she has an infection.
Please pray for her to be calm and that her fever will go down. Thank you

Restlessness

My mom went to see Alice again this afternoon. Alice is very restless, especially when she sees my mom. It seems as if she just want to touch or hug her, but she can't - her hands are tied to the bed. Alice is also very frustrated with the ventilator. The doctor said that my parents should not visit her tonight, because its when she sees them that she gets more restless. And her restlessness will cause that the ventilator would have to stay longer in her mouth.
Please pray that Alice will be more calm and relaxed.

The News @ 2

During my mom's morning visit to Alice, the doctor told her that Alice is doing good and there is not any problems that I know of. Alice again tried to tell my mom something, but couldn't. Then my mom gave her a pen and paper and she tried to write something, but she is too confused. She is also still quite restless. Later on this afternoon, my mom will try the writing-thing again. My mom told her that I miss her and asked if she understood. Alice nodded her head, so at least she understands her.

I think I'll be flying up to Johannesburg on Monday afternoon. Can't wait! I probably won't be allowed to see Alice, but it would be nice to be there and spend the day with my mom while my dad is at work.
One of our cats, Emma, turned 9 years old today! Emma was Alice's cat originally, but later on I adopted her because no one in our house likes Emma. I must admit she can be a pain most of the time (she is VERY demanding), but she has her nice moments.

Thank you so much for all the support and messages!

Alice's condition is still the same. The doctor phoned my mom this morning to tell her how Alice is doing. They say that she is frustrated and restless (probably because the ventilator irritates her), but they are still happy with they way she is doing and with her progress. My mom will be visiting her again later this morning.

Alice is still doing fine. She was awake and tried to tell my mom something, but she couldn't because of the ventilators in her mouth. She also seems confused. The doctor sedated her to make her sleep again. According to the doctor, Alice is still doing as she ought to.
The staff at Milpark is taking good care of her and is very strict with visiting hours.

Alice is awake!

Alice is doing fine. She is not under sedation anymore, but still on the ventilators. The doctor is very satisfied with her condition, but her white blood count is high.

Thank You!

There isn't any news yet. My mom just phoned me; the doctors were still busy with her at the time and she can only see Alice at 11h. But I'll let you know as soon as there is news.
On behalf of my mom and dad, I would like to thank all of you for all the prayers and messages. We really appreciate it so much! It still amazes me to see all the interest from around the world.
May our LORD Jesus Christ bless each one of you richly!

The News @ 10 o'clock

I've just spoken to my mom, Alice is doing fine. Everything is still going as it should. My parents had to wait for a while during visiting time, before seeing her since they were busy changing her linen and cleaning her. The doctors are now going to start reducing the sedation.

My parents are also doing well; my dad went back to work today in Johannesburg.
I'm also doing very well. Euzanne is still staying with me and tonight my boyfriend ,Riaan and one of my friends, Juan, came over to visited me. Juan made us some delicious honey and mustard chicken. I'm still so excited for Alice! And so grateful! I will never get over how God provided for us and how He is looking after His children.

Latest news

There's not much news, Alice is still doing good. The doctors say that is doing how she is suppose and expected to be doing. So all is good at the moment!

The doctors say that Alice is doing well and that her condition is stable. Shame, my mom and dad can only see Alice for through a glass window for a few minutes at a time. The doctors don't know for how long she will be in ICU; they are just taking a day at a time. The staff at the Millpark hospital have really been fantastic and their service is excellent! They are taking good care of Alice.

I wish I could also be in Johannesburg to see her and be with my parents. But I will probably fly to Johannesburg later on this week once she is out of ICU.
Once of my best friends, Euzanne, is staying with me at the moment which is really fun. It helps having someone else around. Gardi, Alice's lifelong best friend's mother also came to our house last night to wait with us. It was so nice having both of them here!

Thank you so much for keeping Alice in your prayers. It amazes me to see how many people thought of her and continues to pray for her!

God's timing...

It is now exactly 24 hours ago that we received the wonderful news. Surgery was 7 hours long.

The Perfect Fit

Doctor said the surgery went exceptionaly well, couldn't have gone better! She's in ICU right now recovering. My mom saw her and she seems okay. Her new lungs fits her like a glove! Please pray that her body accepts her new lungs.

We will never forget the 22nd January 2008!

Praise be to God!

Finished

Alice's transplant is finished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So far so good

Hi! The doctors are still busy operating on Alice. They told my parents that she is doing well and that they can go home to eat and shower and so on. So everything is going good as far as I know.

I still can't believe that Alice is getting new lungs. It's so surreal. Last night, just after falling asleep, I heard Alice and my mom doing something downstairs (we live in a double storey house). So I went downstairs to asked them what was going on. When they told me, I thought I must be dreaming! It was on of those moments where someone has to pinch you to make sure you are not dreaming. This is an absolute dream come true! An answered prayer! It just shows how good and faithful our LORD Jesus Christ is. He alone is worthy to be praised.

My dad just phoned me, the lungs have arrived! Doctors are already busy operating on Alice. So, it looks like the lungs are fine.
Please pray that God will be with the doctors, keeping their minds alert and making the right choices. The duration of the operation is about 6 hours.
We really appreciate all your prayers

Latest news

My mom just phoned me, they came to fetch Alice a few minutes ago. They are preparing her for the operation in the theatre, while waiting for the lungs to arive from another hospital in Sandton.

New beginings

Hi! I am Chrislie, Alice's younger sister. For the time being I will be updating Alice's blog.

Everything is going really well so far. Last when I spoke to my mom (20 minutes ago), they were still waiting. Alice is doing great, very calm but also very excited! The operation was suppose to start at 15h30 sa time, but they are running a bit late. The doctors are still not 100% sure that the donor's lungs are good enough, but it's very unlikely that it won't be fine. They are running late because the donor's heart first have to go for a heart transplant.

That's all I know at this stage. I will update as soon as I have news.Thank you so much for your prayers! To God belongs all the praise and glory and honour forever and ever! His timing is perfect!

I GOT THE CALL!!!!!!! CAN YOU FREAKING BELIEVE IT???? PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!! How TOTALLY unexpected!!!!!!!! You may be wondering why I'm typing this right now... well I've only got to be at the airport at 5am and it's 1:45am now... Flying at 6:30. Seems like operation is scheduled for 12 tomorrow. It's so unreal. I won't be able to sleep even though I'm so tired, it's been a long day!!! Filled with disappointment, physio, a cocktail (thank you Daniel) and a phonecall at 11:39pm that rocked my world.

I'm quite nervous!!! Shaking a bit! Had a bath now. Will lie down a bit after I've posted this. Please pray for the following:
1) that everything with the flying etc works out
2) that the lungs are good to go!
3) no unforseen problems
4) my parents' nerves!!
5) the donor family
6) that the op and recovery goes amazingly well

I think that's all... Don't know what else to say... this is surreal ;-)

Untill next time, when I will be breathing well!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.s. my sister will update this blog and keep you informed!!!

Bad news (for me)!!! :-(

The woman waiting for transplant whose place I would've taken at the hospital in Florida (she said that she would be coming home at the end of Feb if she didn't get lungs) GOT HER TRANSPLANT!!!! Which is awesome for her and her family!!!! But not so awesome for me!!! It means I can't go... not untill 2009 anyway...

But I'm sure they'll be able to refer me to another hospital or something. I mean that can't be my only option. Will keep you posted. I want a tx THIS year! But what I do know is that when one door closes another opens. Now I'm waiting for that door!

Great weekend!!!!

Wow, what a cool weekend this one was... I feel like I've got weekend-hangover. It happens when you've had an awesome weekend and then the Monday is just SUPER boring and depressing. Let me recap...

Saturday afternoon I did a bit of exercise, followed by a nice bath. After that my mom and dad and me drove out to a restaurant just outside the city overlooking the sea, The Sacremento. Had wonderfull coffee and Lemon Meringue (my favourite). In the evening 3 friends came over. We had nothing planned, my mom and I had just made some food for us to eat. We just talked and talked, was great. Couldn't stop talking untill eventually at 11:30pm we were all getting pretty tired and they left.

Yesterday a friend of mine who is leaving for the UK on Thursday had a farewell braai (BBQ) at my CF doctor's house. (She knows him from church, and they offered their garden for her party) I thought it might be a bit weird socialising with my Dr but it was fine. They've got the most amazing house and garden! It was very nice, and the weather was perfect. So we all just sat under the trees and ate etc. Some people were swimming but I tried not to be jealous! Two hours after being back home my parents had friends over for coffee, chocolate and sherry. One of the couples' daughter is one of my best friends from school, who works in Cape Town. She was here for the weekend, so we managed to see each other for a short while before she had to leave for the airport again! She wants to really raise awareness about organ donation (especially under all those drunk university students!), so that's great. After that I went to church, which was also very nice, and we had coffee afterwards. Well, cooldrink actually because it was so hot!

So all in all it was my best weekend of the year so far. This year's getting of to a good start, I hope it's a indication of things to come! I'm almost off to physio now. And this afternoon I'm having coffee with my ex's brother. Really looking forward to it! It's horrible when you used to feel like part of someone's family and then all that comes to an end when you break up. So it'll be great seeing his brother again, it's been a few months!

Hope everyone has a great week...

Thursday...

Wow, the number of views this blog has had has really picked up over the last few days, or so it seems! My week's been fairly quiet after Monday with it's exciting news. Just the normal physio and hanging around the house building puzzles and stuff. The highlight was eating out with a bunch of friends yesterday evening. Will post some photos of that, since it's been a while since I posted any pics and my blog is starting to look pretty boring!

We went to Spur, which is like a family steakhouse, and a South African institution (with an American Indian theme...very lame!). We always used to go there a lot with our parents, but they're tired of the place now! So for the past couple of years I've always gone with friends. They've got the best burgers and you always have a great time there! It was my portable O2's first Spur experience...

A bit about my friends... The guy with me on the pic above is Daniel, he just started working as an aspiring Architecht. The girl with me to the right is Dieta, she just started working as a grade 2 teacher. The guy below is Andrew an aspiring CA and ex-ex-ex boyfriend doing his second year of training (I studied with him, that's what I would've been doing now if it wasn't for Mr Pseudamonas). The girl with him is Antoinette,

she's the one that I visited in hospital. She's still studying Interior Design. They are basically my close friends in Port Elizabeth. I've got 2 very close friends who now work in Cape Town and who I miss a lot!

Looking forward to the weekend, my dad's coming home!!!! Yay!!!! Also having lunch tomorrow with a friend after physio. Hope you have a good Friday!

Finally, some news!!!

Yay! I got some long-awaited news today! (ok maybe not THAT long, but a few days can seem like forever if you check your e-mail every 10 minutes, lol!) The big thing is that I'm trying to arrange to have my transplant in the USA. I mentioned on the 13th of December (I think) that I received a potentially life-changing phonecall... well it was a guy who I very randomly and 'coincidentally' (I don't believe in coincedence. Everything happens for a reason) got into contact with who has had 2 lung transplants in the USA. He is also a South African, very nice man. So with his help I've tried to investigate the possibility of also going that route. Apparently the US is the only country who does organ transplants on foreigners...

So after sending some medical records and info over, I've been waiting for a reply. And I finally got it today. I just have to add that after finally receiving the long-awaited e-mail and almost falling off the chair when seeing it, our suburb was hit by a POWER-CUT just as I was halfway through the e-mail!!!!! I almost freaked out. I had to wait 2 hours before I could finish reading it. Torture! But back to the story... The reply was that the amount of foreign transplants the hospital can do has been lowered to 5%, which translates to about 2 a year. And there are already 2 people from outside the US waiting there. BUT one of them might be going home if she doesn't receive any lungs by the end of Feb... (For various reasons) And it seems like I might be able to take her place then. So it's still more waiting ( they weren't kidding when they called it a WAITING list!), but at least I know a bit more of what's going on now. Really just praying and having faith that everything will work out!

Had a great afternoon/evening. Went to visit 2 sets of friends, was great getting out of the house! And just chatting and talking nonsense. Lungs were fine. HAVE to excercise again tomorrow! Going to have a quiet/boring day tomorrow. I'll dedicate it to my lungs... so what's new?! Hope the start of your week was also exciting...

Sunday night

Still waiting... Had quite a nice day, lunch with family friends, and a 2-hour long nap afterwards. Heard that a friend that I haven't seen in ages and that I had a crush on 3 years ago (can't believe how time flies!) got engaged! Wow.. very happy for him! Hopefully this week will bring some answers so that I might have some sort of idea what's going to happen this year!

Ugh...

Feeling very downish. Still waiting for news. Just SO TIRED of sitting around. And it's not like I've got nothing to do, I'm just tired of everything that there is to do. It's a Saturday evening, the weather's lovely. People my age are going out, having fun, falling in love etc and I'm just being bored and going to bed early hoping I'll have an exciting dream. Because I can honestly say that's the most exciting part of my life right now. Sometimes I dream I run, and in the dream I'm thinking 'I can't believe how easy this is'. Other times my dreams are filled with passion, but those leave me unsatisfied and wanting more when I wake up!!! So bottom line is: I feel like venting because my life's so boring right now and everyone's getting ahead in life EXCEPT ME!!!! My whole freaking life revolves around stressing about transplant and trying to keep my lungs in shape. (I use the term 'shape' loosely) Your 20's are supposed to be your best years dammit!!!

My day was ok though I guess. Saw a friend, had tea with my mom and 4 of her friends, and went out for supper with my mom. 1 Good thing though... The mucus from yesterday is gone.. Today was like all the other mucusless days. That's very good and I'm really happy about that. Hopefully yesterday was just a weird glitch in the system.

That's all I've got to say. Hopefully tomorrow I feel less depressed and I get that all-important long-awaited news!!!!

Freaky Friday indeed

Today didn't turn out as I hoped. Firstly I didn't sleep much last night. I'm currently awaiting some big news (which I will write about at a later stage), so lay awake wondering, thinking, playing around with all sorts of 'what-if' scenario's in my head. So I was tired the whole day. Secondly, the mucus has begun it's journey back into my lungs.. So I coughed a bit this morning. But by the time I went to physio there was not much left, so it couldn't have been too much. Nevertheless, I will just have to put in an effort to keep any infections at bay. Not that I'm not doing my best already.. Thirdly I had some kind of sinus headache, which didn't mix well with the hot weather.

I took a nap which helped with the headache and tiredness, but I didn't get round to visiting my friend. Watching tv with my mom right now... waiting for a BBC documentary, The truth about food. Looks interesting. Then last nebuliser and SLEEP!! Hopefully tomorrow is better! And thank goodness this week's finally over, it felt so long!!! Now if only all this waiting could come to an end.. that would make me very happy ;-)

Thursday evening

Wow, 70 people have viewed my blog so far this week! Feels like a lot of people! I don't have much to say really. Wanted to post a link.. this story has really touched my heart.. http://www.cfhusband.blogspot.com/ Please check it out if you've got the time. It's about a woman 2 years older than me who found out she was pregnant while needing a lung transplant. It's an amazing story in the making.. I'm really praying everything works out and that she and her baby are ok.

Didn't do much today. Exercised, nebulised, ate... all the usual stuff along with some building puzzle and watching TV. At least I saw 2 friends who popped in after lunch. Last night was very nice though, a friend and I went to the hospital to visit our other friend who had surgery, and then met up with other friends for coffee and cake! (I think I used the word 'friends' too much in that sentence!) Was great to be laughing and making jokes and feeling ok. Among our friends there's a new couple who got together a few weeks ago... I'm very happy for them, but they made me so jealous, they're so cute! Seems like new couples are just everywhere this week!!!! Ugh...

Tomorrow I've got a busy day, yay! Have to go to physio, and need to have blood work done for tx purposes, after which I'm going to visit the surgery-friend who is back home and doing better! Hope you also have a good Friday!!!

P.s. I almost forgot I actually...wait for it... played PIANO today!!! Proud of myself. Now I just need to keep it up!

wacky wednesday

The title is definitely not a description of my day (so far), but I thought it matched Monday's title and it's the name of my favourite fast food special. You get 2 burgers for the price of one, and they're REALLY yummy. Now I just need Freaky Friday then the week's complete!

The coffee with the friend on Monday was very nice. We had so much to catch up on, and after we left the coffee shop we had even more coffee at my house! She's so in love, I'm so envious! But not in a bad way, just miss that feeling! I've been to my friend in hospital twice since the last time I posted. She needs another operation, I feel so sorry for her! At least I know what's wrong with me and my goal is transplant. Not knowing what exactly's wrong with you and having operations and pain and stuff is luckily not something I'm familliar with!

Yesterday was like a shock 'back to reality' for me in the sense that all of a sudden I'm alone again! Holiday's over and my sister is doing summer school. And normally that suits me just fine when I'm feeling crappy and take hours to nebulise and cough and sleep and cough some more and nebulise some more etc. But now I'm feeling just fine, and find myself kind of bored and alone. Trying as hard as I can to find some stuff to do. Luckily I've got physio in an hour's time and then I might visit the hospital again. I've got a lot of stuff to keep me bust mentally (puzzles, books, internet...piano), but I want to go out when I feel good.

Ooo, I almost forgot... I've started doing some exercise again! Not a lot, but I'm working on it! My legs feel a bit weak when I exercise, but they're just lazy, because I'm not even stiff the next day! So I shall push them harder. I've got an eliptical trainer in my room that I exercise on, together with doing some leg exercises and we've got 2.5kg dumbells that I use for my arms (although my left arm is still stiff from the picc line, so I haven't used them recently). The eliptical trainer is really tough, so I can only go for a minute and then I have to stop to catch my breath. At the moment I do 5 minutes, which takes me about 20 minutes to do. The longest I've ever managed without stopping was 3 minutes (without O2), when my lungs were still a lot better. I then used to do about 10/15 mins in total. I'll try and work up to 10 mins for now. If I can do that as often as possible it would be great.

As you can see, I've added a counter to the site (applause for my technological skills please), to that should be interesting... Have to get dressed and clean my room now... bye

Just another manic monday!

Or not! Seems like everyone is back at work today! Good luck to all my friends starting their first real job!!! I had a productive morning, had physio, went to the bank to do some long-procrastinated stuff, so that's a relief. Then my sister and I went out for lunch. I had a delicious smoked salmon croissant! Now I'm feeling quite stuffed!!

A close friend of mine is in hospital, she had an emergency operation and it looks as if though she might need another operation. So for once I'm not the sickest one! Quiet a weird feeling going to the hospital just to visit her. So nice not being the patient and not getting all the attention. I can get used to it! Just being part of the outside public... Although my portable O2 might've caused some stares..

This morning I didn't wear my O2 to the Bank or lunch, and thus REALLY felt like I could get lost in the crowd! It was a nice break, not having to feel a bit self-concious. I'm meeting an old friend for coffee this afternoon (I know.. all these people from my past keep popping up!), and I'm not going to wear my O2 again. I feel pretty much the same when sitting down, I just get breathless when walking and try to limit my movements. So sitting in the coffee shop with close parking should be a breeze. I don't like wearing O2 in front of friends that I haven't seen in a long time. To them it seems like I went from being 100% healthy to SICK in no time. I used to hide any signs of CF as far as possible, and if something seemed too much for me I just didn't do it. Now I'm wearing O2 and I can see them thinking 'O my word she's going to die!'. It's just tiring to say the least. At least the transplant thing is positive in that aspect as well. It allows them to think 'O my word she MAY die'! Just that bit of hope makes them act more human! I downplay the risks and inflate the success rate and everybody's happy! No more akwardness...

Have to go downstairs now, she's picking me up.. Will update on how it went. And I'm missing my dad! He's gone back to Joburg :-(

Short post

Just a short post...

The visit yesterday afternoon was VERY nice! Was so good to see my teacher again after 5 years! The 3 of us chatted the whole afternoon, had so much to catch up on! We probably could've kept going for longer if I didn't have to go home because my mom, dad, sister and I had a reservation at a restaurant. Like I predicted, she was very emotional and all teary eyed when she saw my O2! Serves her right for all those times she made me cry in my lessons! :-)

The dinner yesterday evening was also great. The restaurant is called Old Austria, and is really smart, with someone playing piano and great food. I decided to have a started instead of dessert (and I figured it's healthier!), and had a Salami salad, followed by fillet steak. It was to die for! And after listening to the piano the whole evening, and spending the afternoon with my piano teacher, I'm inspired to do some playing again. I'm usually too lazy, but screw that, I should play a bit! I've got the time!

I had coffee with another friend this morning. It's so good to drive again! My arm still hurts a bit when I have to change gears because the muscles are weak and stiff! I'm just trying to get out as much as possible, because my good health is not going to last, and friends are starting work soon and going overseas etc, so I won't be seeing too much of them! Haven't felt this good in months. Actually I can't even remember when last I had this little mucus, probably a year ago, also after IV's.

Ok so maybe this isn't a short update.. I read a 'letter' that one of my 'cyberfriends' who had her 1 year transplant anniversary yesterday wrote on her blog to her old lungs. She was thanking them for having been there for her for 22 years and that even though they were naughty, they did their best. It's so true, and I've often thought about it... I've also got a love-hate relationship with mine. I hate it when they don't do what I want them to, but at the same time they fight so hard for me... I would be weird, but wonderful, to be rid of them. They won't be missed. But I will have appreciation for the fact that I owe them my life.

I'm going to end my 'short' post with a photo of my cat. I just took it, because she looks so cute right now. 'Look' being the operative word! She can be a real bitch!

stuff...

Yesterday was great!!! Shopping was so nice!!!! Bought a denim and 2 tops, all of which are really nice!! Also had coffee and chocolate brownie with ice cream at Dulce, YUM... And the best part was being able to walk around without being too short of breath! Didn't really get any stares with the O2, except from this small black boy, who couldn't stop staring... But I didn't mind him, was quite funny actually! I just wish this easy breathing could last...

AND... I also got a laptop yesterday!!!! Have been thinking about getting one for various reasons for a while, and yesterday I bought one! It's so much fun! Had a much more technologically advanced friend over this morning who helped me set up our wireless internet, so now I can do everything in my room, and there's no more fighting over the computer!

This afternoon 2 schoolfriends of mine who I haven't really seen in ages are going to visit our music teacher who we also haven't seen in 5 years. She was my favourite teacher, so I'm really looking forward to it.. just wondering how she'll react to the O2 though... she's kind of emotional!

Have to wash my hair and get ready for that. It's funny how you always want to look your best if you haven't seen somebody in a while, especially your peers. It's stupid really, because they're too busy worrying about how they look to really care. But we do it anyway...

I'm free!!!!!

My pic line is out! And I feel great! And I'm going SHOPPING today! This is as good as it gets!

The pic line came out yesterday evening at 6:30. Was a bit painful, but worth it! It was so funny, when the nurse was busy waxing my arm (ie ripping off bandages), she asked the stupid question 'does it hurt?'... I obviously said 'Yes!', and so she laughed and said 'You should never get a tattoo'...The reason why this is so funny is because I do in fact have a tattoo! And it was honestly a more bearable pain than having your hair slowly pulled out of your arm! My dad and I just kept quiet and smiled... My arm muscles are a bit stiff still and my arm is 'dumb'! It's so weird, it feels like someone else's arm or a fake limb that I'm trying to manouvre! Had 2 of my best friends over afterwards last night to watch a movie on tv and play cards... I lost :-(

Feeling good, which is why I'm going shopping this morning! And all the post xmas sales are on! Yay!!!! Haven't been shopping in AGES!!!! And have a lot of xmas money that all the grandparents gave me! The only scary part will be taking my portable O2 with... I've never shopped with it before. I used to just do the getting-blue-in-the-face thing. But this should work better! I'll do a update later today to let you know how it all went (and what I bought!)

I also want to thank those of you who add comments! I LOVE getting them! It's so nice to know that someone is actually reading this! Untill later...

Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay!!!!!!! It's here!!!!! 2008!!!!!!!!! Apparently (and I never knew this before yesterday), and i'm not sure if it even means something, the number 8 symbolises new beginnings... Well I'm sure 2008 will hold some new beginnings for me. It better, because I'm SO frustrated. Not feeling too happy today. Spending too much time with my parents in the house and it's driving me mad. 23 year old's shouldn't be so dependant on their parents, it's NOT HEALTHY!!!! And I'm not allowed to complain because they do so much for me, but it just gets too much. especially if you have the same fights as you did 5 years ago, then you wish like hell you could just move out. BUT I'M STUCK.

Luckily my health is still ok. Stupid picc (ok he's not really stupid, I'm just tired of him. He's been great actually, behaving himself nicely) coming out tomorrow!!!! Then I'm taking the car and getting out of the house!!! Really missed driving. Hopefully the mucusfreeness will last for a while..

I went to a cocktail party last night at a friends house, which was really nice, but i wish I could enjoy it more! I wished I could drink more, have more fun, also jump in the pool, move around more without getting out of breath, and also stay the night! But nevertheless, it was beter than being at home! Can't wait so see what I'll be doing next year!!!! 2009 here I come!!!

My biggest wish for 2008 is obviously new lungs, followed by LOVE!! Having had 2 short flings (which lasted only 25 days and 6 weeks) and a 9 month one I'd rather not go into, I feel that the perfect way to celebrate my new lungs will be to find love...mmm... that would be great yes...

Apart from that, I have no new years resolutions, except obviously STAYING ALIVE!! So I wish you all a Happy 2008!!!! May God bless you!!!