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!

Argentina FOMO and countdown to birthday.

So the WTG 2015 started this week in Mar Del Plata. I've known realistically since the 2013 Games that I wouldn't be there. At the 2013 Games my lung function was 69%. I played squash and did the 3km race walk. The walk went fairly well, achieved my personal best time. The squash was harder though. Even though the altitude helped a lot, I struggled to keep up and would have probably had a better outcome if I were able to run more and had more energy. So now with lung function in the low 40's I know I wouldn't even be able to play for 15 mins without wanting to pass out and die. Being at a MUCH higher altitude in Joburg, I haven't actually even touched a squash racquet again since that day. I miss it.

We also would not have been able to do the Argentina trip AND the California trip, and I know we experienced much more in California and had way more fun, as well as a longer holiday. So the right choice was definitely made. But seeing the pics on Facebook does kind of make me sad, as I know that the next Games in 2017 will also be out of the question health-wise. We could maybe go and support and make it part of a holiday, but as far as competing goes it's highly doubtful. I've lost almost 30% lung function since the last games... and I know I have stabilised, but there is not much left for me to lose if I even just want to go as a supporter. So sadly I think my participating career is over. I might still take part in some less strenuous items at Nations next year (which will be in Joburg and that I will have to help to organise).

So this past weekend I did something that I've been procrastinating since 2009.... I mounted my medals in display boxes that I found at @Home. I think it looks pretty cool, and beats all the memories just rotting in a shoe box. Now I just need to get them up on the wall.

This weekend we're off to Dullstroom with the family (2 family trips in one month!!), and on Monday it's my birthday. Let's hope it's a good one. Have a good weekend

My birthday and back in SA!!!!!!

I'm 25!!!!!!!! Quater of a centuary old today :-D Obviously wouldn't have been here without the new lungs, so very grateful for every birthday... feeling like a child about birthdays (although that's never been different, lol)!

What a rough last 48 hours!!! We almost missed our flight from Brisbane to Perth because our bus was late, and I've slept 4 hours in the last 2 days (couldn't sleep Sat night and also can't sleep on a plane). Luckily I slept the whole afternoon so feeling better. Chris took leave for the day, so we had a chilled day, went out for lunch, had a nap, unpacked etc!

Not so excited about being back at work tomorrow, but it'll be better once I get the first day back over and done with! Posting some last pics from the athletics on Sat and Gala Dinner...

AAAAUUUGGGGHHHH and oops

Was SOOOO annoyed today!!!! Came 3rd in the race walk, was so excited abt my bronze medal!!! Then I find out AS THEY HAND OUT THE MEDALS that I have been disqualified. WHY??? Apparently I bent my knee or lifted a foot when I wasnt supposed to. Great. I walked so well ... I think so anyway. So finding a new sport for the next games, not walking again, those stupid walking people can go stick their silly rules, who WALKS LIKE THAT??? Atl least I got to see Suzanne (donor's sis) again! See came to watch me and Trev compete. By the way, I haven't been this whita and pasty all my life, it's just cos I'm not allowed to tan anymore cos Prograff ncreases skin cancer risk :-(

Tomorrow is the 800m... was crazy to enter it, but can't withdraw now unless it's for medical reasons :-( So WISH ME LUCK. The walking around and shopping etc has been GREAT though!!! It's so nice here, can see while the place is full of South Africans who have emigrated. Anyway, I'm posting some pics as well...

Oh, the OOPS is that I deleted the counter on the blog... not so clever Alice!!!! Too lazy to add a new one, and forgot how to anyway... so you'll have to comment otherwise I'll think no-one is reading!

More thorough update!!!

Have a few minutes to spare so time for better update! We arrived here at 2am on Sat morning. I went to bed, took a sleeping pill (was scared I won't be able to fall asleep, and at that point NEEDED to sleep after the flight!) Woke up the mext day at 2pm!!! I had set my alarm for 7am, but my phone's battery died :-( Was rested at least! Been struggeling to get into my normal sleeping pattern, but last night was the first night I slept well without taking anything. (the other nights I slept like 1 or 4 hours without sleeping pill).

The atmosphere's been great, we're 1008 athletes. Impossible to look around and imagine ALL those people had transplants. Mostly kidneys though by FAR. Food's great, weather is HOT. Been above 30 degrees every day. Not so good for my walking on Friday though... we're walking at 2pm :-( might die from the humid heat, lol!

Our accomodation is 4 star, REALLY smart! And my roomate is great, so that's awesome. The opening ceremony was a tad long (because we were behind the scenes for hours before the time!), but very cool nevertheless. Also did a 5km beach walk in aid of awareness in Australia.

Oh, and the BEST so far, apart from the medal for squash, is that Trevor and I met our donor's sister! I've been e-mailing with her for quite a few months now, and she lives pretty close to where we are, so she took us out and about Brisbane for the day! Was soooo cool. No weirdness or anything, just awesome. Definitely the best day so far.

We also went to Seaworld last night, we we watched a dolphin show, had supper and went on a roller-coaster! Roller-coaster was the best part of course :-) I'm posting some pics, they're pretty self-explanatory I think! Will post some more pics later when I get some time...

Sorry for the late update!!!!

Been SOOOOOO busy enjoying myself I haven't had time to blog!!!! Been AWESOME here, weather's great, people are great, everything is fantastic! Anf got gold for squash today :-D Not that I had competion :-( Seems like females aged 18-30 who have had transplant aren't really into squash for some reason... anyway, it's almoet midnight here in Oz, so off to bed now. Will of course post LOTS of pics on here, just 1 for now though...

D DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DEPARTURE DAY!!!!! Don't have time to say much... just that I haven't been sleeping well for 2 nights and feeling tired before I even get onto the plane!!! Will be updating the team blog: http://transplantgamesteam.blogspot.com as well as my own of course... WISH US LUCK AND SWINE FLU-FREE TRAVELS!!!

4 sleeps to go...

Only 4 sleeps till we fly... crazy!!!

Having an extremely busy weekend so far... went for bloods yesterday morning (because gynae put me on Sporonox and I had to reduce my Prograf because of that... so need to check of levels are still where they need to be), got masks for the flight and wherever I may need them, got Tamiflu (all athletes are strongly recommended to start swine flu treatment 2 days before we leave). Had my car brake lights fixed-unrelated to going to Oz! Did last minute shopping... got ear plugs, pants for opening ceremony (didn't have the right colour), protective eye-wear for squash (apparently the rules say we need them. Played with them yesterday and it sucked :-(), and some other stuff I can't remember now. Also did radio interview with SAFM, which was very cool and interesting!!! Then played squash with Chris and walked... and shins were better, yay! Lets hope they stay that way. Was in bed and asleep by 10pm!

Going to church this morning, and gym/squash. Also want to visit a friend waiting for transplant in hospital. Have started pacling a bit, because my week's going to be even more busy. Have SO MUCH to do at work still before I go. Will be working late, so won't have time for much else, especially if I want to fit in some gym still.

Update on Bree: She's got 3 out of 5 chest tubes removed and eating whatever she wants! She's also talking away a storm with the new breath :-) Oh and she's out of ICU... so excited for her!!! The recovering and finding out all the things you can do while breathing normally and gaining strength and slowly getting your life back is the most awesome experience!!! And then comes the part where she has to start training for the Games, because her and I BETTER be there together in 2 years time at the Games in Sweden so we can finally meet after like 2 years of being internet-friends!!! Taking part in THIS year's WTG was her idea after all... see this post I did last year...

http://livinglifebreathlessly.blogspot.com/2008/05/me-and-brees-dream.html

6 sleeps.....

That's all that's left till we fly to Oz!!!!!! Very exciting stuff :-D These 4 days at work have been insanely busy. Trying to get as much done as possible before I leave. Went to gym twice, and my shins were sore :-( I'm hoping they were just stiff from running on the beach, but it's stressing me out.

Going to the Dr after work to get scripts for sleeping tablets for the plane and jet lag, Tamiflu (we've been told to go on Tamiflu for Swine flu precautions :-(, get copies of my scripts to carry with me, buy masks... And the weekend's going to consist of much the same: last minute admin and shopping!!! Have received all my clothes now :-) So all of that's sorted.

Also going to play some squash and walk this weekend. And of course spend time with Chris, seeing as I'm not going to see him for a while!!!!

Bree update for those who don't know yet, she's doing GREAT, off the vent and walking and chatting etc :-) Never doubted she'd have a fast recovery! Hopefully she continues with her miraculous progress and we can talk on MSN soon!!!

Have a good weekend... it's my last weekend of being 24 in South Africa :-D

Getting REALLY excited and weekend.

The two things I received in the last few days making me very excited :-) The previously mentioned visa for Oz and my official blazer! Now just waiting for the rest of the clothing...

Played squash again this weekend and the 6 days off didn't affect anything, so that's great. All set for a busy week!!!! Monday gym, Tuesday squash, Wednesday gym, Thursday probably gym, Friday fly home to PE (birthday gift from Chris), Saturday run/walk along the beachfront!!!!, Sunday night 25th birthday party, Sunday chill with family, Monday do the beachrun or gym thing. But anyway, getting ahead of myself here, will still blog about all of that!

This weekend was great too. Was nice seeing my mom again (and next weekend!), lunch at my grandad's place was YUMMY today (fillet steak and veggies-you can see my mom was here- and brownie for dessert). It was just FREEZING cold. Yesterday AFTERNOON when Chris came over his car said it was 3.5 degrees C... in the freaking DAY.

Anyways, I'm off to take my meds and get into bed... havwe a good week...

Weekend and exam!

So I passed my exam! Got 72 %, but it was harder than I though/hoped it would be! At least it's over and done with, now I can register for the next one :-/

Weekend was fine, nothing exciting, just chilled, bought some stuff for the Games (pillow for the plane, locks for baggage, an electrical plug-converter thing for the Oz sockets, and a backpack with space for my laptop for hand luggage that I got for half price!!!!!!) Athletics was rather tough on Sat morning, did a 2km timed walk, time was 17mins50secs, which is rather crappy, but I've tried my best, and just nor a race-walking person. Also my shoes are wrong, but borrowing proper shoes from a lady that trains with us and is my size (and has a lot of pairs!), so maybe that'll help. Next Sunday is the Discovery Walk the Talk where I'll be doing the 8km, so looking forward to that. Will be doing NORMAL walking, not race-walking, lol!

This week will be another thriller work-wise, but at least it's my 18 months-with-lungies on Wednesday :-)

Alice + Chris = 9 months tomorrow!

The shirt is one that I got from Annelie who did the London marathon for CF fund-raising! Have worn it to gym twice now, and you can imagine how much attention the bright yellow attracts! Pretty cool :-)

Like the title says, tomorrow is our 9 month anniversary! It's a big one for me, as my previous relationship lasted only 9 months and a few days, so in a week's time or so C has officially been the longest boyfriend I've ever had! We'll probably go for a movie and supper tomorrow evening.

I'm ALSO writing my (first of a few) Registered Persons exam tomorrow... apparently you get your results immediately, which I hope will be the case! Have been on study leave for the past day-and-a-half, which was nice, and meant I could stay in bed a bit later this morning!!! Not too nervous, but keen to get it over with. Shouldn't be as hard as the Compliance Officer exam I wrote in March.

Have got athletics on Sat morning, which I'm not really looking forward to. Disliking the walking thing more and more. Much prefer running or something fast!!! It's just painfull, literally! It feels like it doesn't use my lungs to full capacity, my shins hurt when I do it, I have an urge to start jogging the whole time, and I CAN'T SEEM TO GO ANY FASTER!!!! So I'm REALLY looking forward to not having to do it anymore! BUT, at the same time it was my ticket to Oz, so it had it's purpose.

OK enough venting... REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO AUSTRALIA!!!!

17 and 2 months!!!

Today I celebrate 17 glorious months with the new lungs and it's also exactly 2 months till the WTG!!!! Had bloods done this morning and seeing my Dr somewhere in the week as well, as my medical reports have to be in on the 1st of July... training's going OK, and now I just have to stay healthy!!! No colds or flu, as the Ozzies will prob assume it's swine flu :-( So I'm pumping the Vit C and avoiding sick people even more than normally...

Oh and one of my facebook friends Meghann got her lungs yesterday/today (not sure with the time difference!)!!! Very excited for her, and if all works out nicely I'll be seeing her at the next WTG in Switzerland :-) Now if only someone in SA could get lungs again... there's been NO double lung transplants so far this year... shocking and sad...

Almost weekend again, yay!!!

What a disjointed week with Tuesday being a public holiday! For some reason Wednesday and Thurs felt really long... But Friday's here at last :-) My dad's going home today for 3 weeks, so it's Home Alone! Although time flies by so fast I usually start noticing he's in PE when he's on his way back!

Tuesday was cool though, the highlight being having lunch with Aviva!!! Haven't een her in ages, so was really great catching up! My dad also made me and Chris some awesome steak and I FINALLY won a Monopoly game, although maybe not so legitemately...

Tomorrow evening we're having supper with Gideon and Marlize who's wedding we went to in April! Looking forward to it! Still can't believe my friend is married!!!

Been good about gymming this week... the new calf exercises are WORKING I assume, as they are so stiff the next day!!! Had a crap dream last night though... dreamt that the organisers wanted to test how prepared we are, and I failed! Had to walk 2km on the treadmill, and was walking relaxingly... untill I realised they're actually testing us! So started walking fast then, but it was too late :-( So I got kicked off the team... speaking of Aus... my Visa application is in! Think when I get my passport back with the visa in there it'll feel more real!

Anyway, have a great weekend, I know I will!

Weekend and training update.

So our mini roadtrip was very nice! Was a 3-4 hour drive both ways, but I haven’t seen that part of the country yet, so it was cool. Baberton is a charming little town and the weather was nice and warm! Wasn’t impressed with the cold when we got back to JHB L The party was great, ate the most yummy pork and salads etc, and an even more yummy punch… not sure what was in there (apart from the jelly babies), but it had the desired effect, lol! Sunday we all had brunch/lunch together at Wimpy before we headed back. So all in all it was a weekend well spent.

This week’s been just as crazy as last week work-wise, but it should get better from here onwards. Will be spending this weekend just relaxing with Chris and maybe seeing some other friends too… looking forward to it!!!

Training for the Games has been going well I think. My time and stamina is improving, so that’s good. And I’m beating Chris at squash more often. Even lost weight in the process… added bonus!

100 DAYS TILL THE TRANSPLANT GAMES!!!!!!

*GULP* That's all I have to say.

Update and news...

MY SISTER’S COMING TO VISIT NEXT WEEK!!!!!!!!!!! SOOOO excited, as I haven’t seen her since Xmas… Already planning all the things that we’re going to get up to!!! She’s landing on Thursday morning and leaving again on Monday morning. Only 6 sleeps….

Also, I’ve found a coach for the 3km race walk!!!! He’s from the university, and my first training session is tomorrow morning at 8am at the track… pretty nervous, as I’ll be training with other (non-transplant and very fit) athletes… but it’s something I have to do, and after the first time it’ll be easier to go!! So wish me LUCK… I also gymmed 4 times this week, so calves are a bit stiff… hopefully they’ll be fine tomorrow.
I went to the Transplant Group Network meeting

for the first time last night, and it was very cool… mostly people waiting for transplant and a few post transplant. Dominee Japie, die guy who councilled me before I got pushed in theatre and talked to my parents and prayed with us led it, so was great to see him again too. Wish I had a meeting like that to go to pre-tx… it’s really an excellent tool.

What else? Oh, I’m going to be featured in an article about the WTG! Had an interview and going for photo-shoot on Tuesday afternoon!!! Should be fun!

Don’t think there’s much happening this weekend, apart from my training session, but should be nice to relax a bit, as the following weekends will be BUSY with road-trips and weddings and parties!!!!!! April’s definitely going to be one AWESOME month :-D

Had bloods done again this week to see how my CMV virus is doing, but haven’t got the results back yet, as my Dr’s been at some lung converence in Brussels the whole week. Should hear on Monday by the latest, but feeling so much more energetic and not slightly nauseous anymore, so I’m sure the gastly expensive pills did their job…

Anyhow… have a good weekend!!!

IMPORTANT: SPONSORSHIP

This is aimed at all the South Africa readers of this blog. In order to participate in the World Transplant Games in Australia in August, each athlete needs about R30 000.00 in sponsorship. Even though SATSA (South Africa Transplant Sports Association) is registered with the Deptartment of Sports and Recreation, and each athlete receives full SA colours from SASCOC, we don't receive financial support from these bodies.

SO... if you think your company might be interested in sponsoring me or some other athletes (it has tax benefits), please e-mail me at alicevosloo@gmail.com for more info or a sponsorship form. Thanks!!!!

I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So by some miraculous stroke of luck I managed to make the time by 16 MILLISECONDS!!!! How scary is that? Was supposed to walk the 3km in 27:30, and did it in 27:29:44 . If I finished a SECOND later (well less actually) I would not have made it... I still can't believe it. It was pretty hard and my ribs were hurting quite a bit and felt like I was going to collapse and die, but I DID IT!!!! YYYAAAYYYY!!!!! Now I just have to complete the registration forms for Aus and I'm IN!!!! (The SA Transplant Sports Association are having a very important meeting regarding sponsorship for us on Friday, so PLEASE pray that we get that sponsorship!!!! It's from the National Lottery people.) Just SOOOO relieved the stressing about it is over now. Will rest from gym untill about Wednesday or so (legs also pretty stiff after yesterday), and then start going religiously again.

The rest of my weekend was also very cool. Went to the MPC/Top Gear Live Motorshow at the Coca Cola Dome with Chris and my dad, and it was pretty awesome! Amazing tricks and very very cool cars. The also had 6 Chevi Sparks play SOCCER against each other, which was really wow. And they only bumped into each other 2 times. Afterwards we checked out some cars close-up and got behind the wheel to see what it felt like sitting in them. (For more pics check my Facebook profile) The rest of the weekend was just spent relaxing and watching TV/playing boardgames.

On my way to church now. Hopefully this week isn't too stressfull, although I'll have some more (relatively) big news by tomorrow or Tuesday, involving work/carreer/that type of thing. Seems like the next challenge is here, now that this qualifying thing is out of the way, lol!

The start of another week...

The end of last week and my weekend's been great. Firstly, on Friday things began moving along regarding organising mt 3km race walk to qualify for the WTG... I'm still waiting for a final confirmation, but seems like it will be Sat the 24th... quite fitting seeing as it's 2 days after my 1 year transplanteversary! Pretty nervous about it... want to qualify SOOO BADLY! Will be training almost every day.

Friday evening we just watched DVD, Sat morning I did some shopping (nothing exciting, just exercise pants and internet stuff and going to bank and a birthday present for someone etc.), Sat afternoon Chris and I played some squash and did 2km on the treadmill. Sat evening we went to Montecasino and saw Defending the Caveman (part of my Xmas present from him!) and had THE BEST BURGER EVER afterwards. The show was very funny and I enjoyed it a lot. The burger was so delicious my mouth is literally watering thinking about it... Had a Jalapino (spelling?) and Mustard Burger with a Greek Salad. Heaven....

Yesterday was just as cool. Chilled and did nothing during the morning, and had lunch with Paul and Jenny and some of her family. Yet again, the food was so great... roast beef and roast potatoes and yummy veggies and choc pudding with fresh berries afterwards... DELICIOUS!!!!!! Mmmmm... should diet or something this week, lol!

My dad came back from PE after his LONG holidaylast night, so now I'm not alone in the flat anymore. And other good news... my glasses seem to be ready today, so will be picking them up after work!!!!!!!! My poor eyes will be SOOO happy. Hate my stupid contact lens (I have a bad left eye, so wear only 1 contact lens), and if I don't wear him my poor right eye suffers cos he has to do all the work!

Hope your week is cool, especially to all those lucky people who had a holiday and are back at work today! Unfortunately I don't have much sympathy, lol!