Pretending to be normal

Week was busy (as is every week!). This time of year though it feels like you're on a crazy roller-coaster  of trying to get everything done that you wanted to do during the year and before your holiday (if you're lucky enough to have one to look forward to).

In my case there is a lot I'm trying to get done and a lot happening before we drive down to Cape Town on the 12th for Louzanne's wedding. Work is busy, trying to sort out everything that needs sorting for the trip, Christmas shopping... Got a fair amount done this week, working through a list!

Also trying to reach gold status again this year on Discovery's Vitality because then I will be Diamond status next year after 3 consecutive years of Gold status. (it involves great flight discounts.... my biggest motivation!) We had a wellness day at work on Wednesday where we could get points towards this... I always pretend I'm "normal" at these types of things... no use trying to explain my complicated health to these type of nurses. I totally passed for normal again this year... all results were good! According to them I'm as healthy as a normal 31 year old. If only they knew....

Sometimes it really helps being able to pull off the "normal" thing (basically impossible when I had the old lungs.... the cough gave it away). On Thursday someone asked me what my Medic Alert bracelet was for... I didn't have the time or energy to explain, so I just lied and said "I'm allergic to penicillin". It went down a lot easier than "I have Cystic Fibrosis, had a Bi-Lateral Lung Transplant and Diabetic on Insulin"... and that's just what the paramedics need to know... it doesn't cover the fact that I cannot vomit and dry food gets stuck when I swallow it due to having had the Nissen, the fact that I need digestive enzymes for my body to absorb food, the fact the my cervix is on this ice and will most likely be getting the boot at some point, Osteopenia, sinus issues... just off the top of my head! I know I should rather be an advocate for organ donation but sometimes you just can't do it all. The point of that story was It's nice to be able to pull off "healthy".... just don't ask me to run or anything then I'm screwed!

And on that note, next Sunday is the CF Walk at the Zoo.... in honor of a very special brother and sister who passed away from CF (have blogged about them recently when Craig died). Looking forward to it a lot. Please support if you're in Jozi, not lazy, and feel like supporting a good cause.

Another month-end at work starts this week, so will be a rough one. At least only 2 more working weeks before our one week break in Cape Town. I can do this! Had my hair trimmed today and did some shopping but apart from that just trying to RELAX this weekend!

Lungaversaries of Anna and Alice

It's the 22nd again! And a special one because Anna's lungs turn 5!!!! HAPPY 5 YEAR LUNGAVERSARY ANNA!!!!!! 5 years  is a big one because only 50% of patients reach the 5 year post transplant mark. So glad you've reached it and doing great!

It's my 7 year 10 months lungaversary today, 2 months short of the next big one!!!

Last week was pretty good. Had rain and LOTS OF HAIL for a change!!!!! Nice break from the heat. We had rain a few times after that as well which is awesome. Hopefully it continues. Almost looked like snow!

This weekend we went to visit friends in Secunda. Dean has always been there, but they got married in May and now Cecile has left is for Secunda too :-( We've been missing her a LOT in JHB so was very nice catching up. And nice to get away, even if it wasn't far.

Time is flying way too fast...in 3 weeks' time we will be in Cape Town!!! Soooo much to do before then. Hope I can fit everything in!!! Eeeeekkkkkkkk...

Crazy Awesome week and today's Dr check up and lung function

The rest of Robyn's visit was great. Had her experience the Miami Vice.... the best cocktail at Rocket in Parkhurst. Half Strawberry Daquiri and half Pina Colada.

On Thursday I went to Fawny after work, we chilled by the pool followed by a girls' night of pizza and a cocktail. Unfortunately it was cut short when I was an idiot and accidently swallowed my sleeping pill along with evening pills and had to cut my eve short!

Weekend included lunch with friends, Epic game of Cards Against Humanity with my work BFF Elzemike that I won (ie I'm the most horrible person at the party), Such an awesome and dodgy game! See especially relevant pic for the Americans below,,,

Today was my lung check-up day... lung function down 1% from 3 weeks ago when I got discharged (44%) to 43% FEV1% (bearing in mind I was on a higher dose steroids still when discharged). Weight up to a nice 56kg, although would still prefer 57kg. All bloods were fine, So all in all a good check-up. Next check-up 21 Jan... the eve of my 8 year lungaversary. Touch wood no more Drs for 2015!!!!

ALSO, ONE MONTH TO LOUZANNE AND WOUTER'S WEDDING!!!!!!! Cant wait.

BUSY BUSY BUSY week and weekend and Robyn!

This week was month-end and it felt like a rough one at that!!!! Bad luck for first full week back! Also managed to get to gym once at least, Was hard on muscles but lungs were handling it the same as pre-pseudomonas. So that's good! Was pretty sore and very tired for two days after that but it's part of the going-back process! Need to get there twice next week!

Robyn has been visiting us since Thursday from East London for this weekend's SATSA meetings (SA Transplant Sports Association). Been great catching up with her again, haven't seen her since April this yer in Cape Town! We met at my first National Games in 2008 (she received a kidney a month after I got my lungs) and it was her first National Games too. At our first World Games in Australia we shared a room (the most AMAING apartment.... "room" doesn't quite do it justice) and the rest in history...

WTG 2009 Australia...

WTG 2011 Sweden ...

WTG 2013 Durban...

2015 SATSA Management Committee Meeting...

Today's meeting went well, was really positive and feeling inspired again. Unfortunately I missed the 2015 WTG, but Nationals will be held in Joburg next year and we have a Mancom meeting in April, so will be seeing her in April again yay.

Friends forever!

Hello November!!!!!

It's November!!!!! Pretty much the busiest month of the year!!! Glad to put October behind me, Hopefully no medical drama this month, only want a good lung check-up in 2 weeks' time, That will also be the last drs visit for 2015. Yay!

I had a really brilliant weekend. On Sat morning we went to the Titanic Expo that I won tickets for on Fawn's blog. It was really really interesting!!!!! Unfortunately you're not allowed to take pics inside, so I had to buy myself the book-thing that goes with the expo. This is the last week of the expo being on Jozi, so hurry your ass there if you want to see it.... and Cape Town I can recommend it! You even end off with a lovely corny Jack and Rose pose. Will add more expo related pics later...

Afterwards we had a nice lunch at a garden shop (although the heat was killer), followed bu ice-cream on Northcliff Hill. Last night a braai and some Cards Against Humanity at Brendan's house.

This morning we slept late and had breakfast with Cecile and Bianca (Cecile recently got married and left is to go live in a horrible place called Secunda... but in 3 weeks' time we will be assessing her new home and decide if she is still allowed to be a friend) Was great catching up and had most a amazing food. P.S. My appetite that has been AWOL for the last few weeks actually is BACK, Eating like a beast and packing it in while it lasts.

Have a good week. It's going to be a BUSY one here but ready for it. Month-end and going back to gym!