A third of my life - 12 years

Last week Wednesday marked 12 years since my first transplant. Exactly a third of my life so far. A third of my life with no constant mucus trying to smother you. No persistent lung infections. No problems with being underweight. No super disgusting cough or coughing fits where you can't catch your breath. And most of all, 12 years of not being dead. So much love for this donor family.

Those lungs also enabled me to have a successful second transplant. During my rejection they were stable, and allowed me to stay physically strong and reasonably healthy otherwise. So they really behaved very well.

But back to the present.... joined my local neighborhood running club yesterday, and the first run is tomorrow. Sooooo nervous. But I have to do this in preparation for the National games in June, as well as to push myself... otherwise I'm stuck in the same gym rut and struggle to push myself. I think I have breathing-related PTSD. As soon as I get too out of breath I feel like I need to stop because this is bad. Even though it's normal to get out of breath when you run! So I need to run for a bit longer before I give in to walking.

I shared the above poem on Instagram a while back, it's written by a CF guy who has also had a lung transplant. It's quite direct but touches me very deeply. I can totally relate.

Winter Christmas

I didn't get a white Christmas, but my first ever winter Christmas was nevertheless fun! VERY different from a summer Christmas. Firstly, the Brits do xmas on a MUCH larger scale than we do. Christmas music on the radio non-stop. Christmas decorations everywhere, beautiful lights up, (makes sense, seeing as it gets dark so early LOL), and it's just a much bigger deal.

My cousin Carin and her two doggies joined us, so it was a house full of fur-kids! On Christmas morning we went for a Parkrun, which was great. It's a bit different running in 4 degrees C on ice! I had to be careful not to slip! After Parkrun, we had a brunch, followed by opening the presents!

We listened to the Queen's speech, followed by a late lunch! It was a lovely day. Very cosy!

On Boxing Day there was a hunt in the village (a fake hunt... no real foxes were hurt). A very interesting experience. Our doggies didn't like the hounds!

Richmond and York

After London, I was off to Yorkshire to visit my aunt and uncle, Annelie and Bernie. They're the reason I've been able to see so much of the UK previously! Since my last visit they've moved from Chesham just outside London, to Aldbrough St John, a small village in Yorkshire, so it was great to see their new home. I also haven't met my cousin Jasper the spaniel before!  We did quite a bit of sightseeing, two Parkruns, and a very cosy Christmas.

Richmond - This is their closest town to Aldbrough St John. We walked around quite a lot here, checked out the castle and Easby Abbey. Absolutely stunning town!

The other town we visited was York. Also amazing! So many cute little shops! And a stunning cathedral Westminster. We couldn't go in there as it was a Sunday and they were having mass.