Last day of being 31!

As the title suggests, today is my last day of being 31! I really don't mind birthdays or getting older, and not sad that I'm not in my 20's anymore either! My 30's have been pretty interesting!!!

Been sick since Friday/Saturday, NOT impressed... been working so hard to stay healthy for Anna and Casey's trip and then this happens! My head felt like it was going to explode on Sunday and yesterday! Luckily I got to see my Dr  yesterday afternoon and got some antibiotics and nasal spray for sinus infection. Slept almost 12 hours last night after two nights of sleeping less than 4 hours due to intense headache and sneezing my ass off with the oxygen blowing into my nose NOT helping the situation. So it seems like Ciprobay is working and I'm feeling human again! Just resting now until our visitors arrive! Unfortunately had to cancel ALL my birthday plans :-( But just glad to be feeling better.

Spring is also here in full force. Flowers everywhere! Unfortunately I haven't been able to smell the jasmine for the last few days (it's right under our bedroom window!) but it's looking amazing.

Last week I was lucky enough to see an old PE friend that I haven't seen in AGES! Antoinette was here for work and we managed to get together for supper. Was soooo nice, and she will be coming up for work again, so that's super cool. She once updated this blog many years ago after my transplant when I didn't have internet access yet.

Not much other news, counting the days until our epic holiday starts! Come on 7 Sept you beautiful day! Oh and below is a blanket I'm busy with for Chris (and me). He has said that he doesn't mind the pink bits :-)

The 22nd... my favourite day of the month

The 22nd will always be my favourite day of the month, no matter what my current health situation! It symbolizes a new start for me and always will. Next month Anna and I will be able to take a pic together again! Her lungaversary is also on the 22nd :-)

Have had a good time catching up with people over the weekend... On Sat evening Cecile and Dean stayed over at our house. Cecile used to live in Joburg but moved to Secunda after her and Dean got married last year. She is pregnant and baby Dean is due very soon!!! Next time their family will consist of 3 people! Can't wait to meet the little guy. We had brunch at a cool "french" little place that we haven't been to before. Will DEFINITELY be going again. In the afternoon we had a braai and the guys watched the rugby.Was quite bushed by the end of the day! Energy levels are far from what they used to be but as long as I get a good 9 or 10 hours of sleep in I'm fine again in no time.

My mom and sis and I also had a mini reunion with our old neighbors from PE...Their daughters are also in Joburg and their mom was here for a visit, so we got to have a very nice nostalgic catch-up and meet some new babies.

Will be seeing another long-time friend on Wednesday, Antoinette from PE will be here for work. Haven't seen her since Jan 2015! So looking forward to that as well.

RIP Oom Tys

On Monday my dad's brother Tys passed away after battling cancer :-( My heart goes out to his wife Cheryl and son Adam. (Adam was here a while ago, he lives in New Zealand). I have fond memories about being on holiday with Oom Tys, especially at Mapungubwe. I also remember them visiting us in PE a few times, and always seeing him when we did our annual Pretoria visits growing up. One year in particular he helped me get a new nebuliser while we were up for a visit.

Him and Cheryl were also very kind to me when I first started working at the family business a few months after my transplant in 2008. The memorial service will take place on Tuesday. May he rest in peace now. The below pic was taken at my sister's wedding in 2012.

At the end of last week my long-time friend Jo-Mari who now teaches in Quatar was in Joburg for a quick visit. It was lovely seeing her again. Not much else has been happening... trying to stay strong for Anna's visit... less than 3 weeks to go now!!! I'm making sure I have enough meds, making shopping lists, list of things to pack, list of things in Jozi/Pretoria we need to do... exciting times!

Wedding Anniversary and LESS THAN A MONTH!

Sunday was our 6th wedding anniversary. Have we already been married for six years???? Apologies for all the pics, but it was the best day of my LIFE :-)

Had a chilled day (like most of my days are). Headed to Northcliff Hill which is pretty close to us to take in the view. It was also what felt like the first nice and warm day! We also went to the nursery and picked up some compost and orchid soil, followed by us playing chess on the patio (because it was warmer outside than inside the house). It was the first time ever we've played chess against each other... was rather fun.

It's also officially LESS THAN A MONTH until Anna and Casey arrive! Sooooo damn excited. Can't wait to get away for a bit and to my favourite places. First off we will be going to Kruger National Park (all pics taken on previous occasions obviously)

Then we head down to my ULTIMATE favourite place in the world, Storms River Mouth:

After that we shoot over to Addo Elephant Park just outside PE...love the elephants there because they are so TAME compared to the Kruger and other northern elephants.

So I really need to stay healthy for this trip. Doing everything I can to stay strong so that I can enjoy it as much as possible. Eeeeekkkkk, please hurry up Sept!

#ORGust and Women's Month

August is National Organ Donation Awareness Month, as well as Women’s Month in South Africa!

LLGL has decided to share the stories of the unsung heroes of transplant – specifically, stories of the women making a real impact in organ transplantation in South Africa. These are the stories of nurses, transplant coordinators, surgeons, doctors, psychologists, specialists, physiotherapists and activists – a team of incredible women who are all working tirelessly towards making a difference in transplantation in South Africa. LLGL believes that while it is extremely important to celebrate the lives of recipients and to honour the donors and their families, too often, the healthcare professionals involved in transplant do not get recognition for the essential part that they play. No transplant patient would be here today, if it were not for the extensive team of people, so often behind the scenes, making miracles happen.

In addition to giving recognition to prominent women in the field of transplantation, LLGL has created a way for all South Africans to show their support for Organ Donation Awareness Month. Organ donation and transplantation is represented internationally with a symbolic green ribbon, and so, for the month of August, LLGL is encouraging everyone to add this ribbon to their Facebook profile image to show their support for organ donation. We are all well aware of the reach social media has and after our successful #Save7Lives campaign went viral, we are optimistic that this campaign will also have a great impact within the online community.

By showing their support with the green ribbon, people are not only creating awareness for the cause but will undoubtedly give much needed hope to the thousands of disheartened patients awaiting a life-saving transplant. TO add a green ribbon to you profile picture on Facebook ot Twitter simply follow this link http://twibbon.com/support/green-ribbon-3