Trip down memory lane!!!

I had a trip down memory lane today... like I said yesterday, I went to visit Ditha's grade 2 class, at my old school. Haven't been there in a VERY long time!!! The kids were so cute!!! They want me to be their teacher next year, lol! Also talked to some of my old teachers who are still there. Most of them seemed o remember me and was glad to see me! Took a cool picture, but I forgot my cable to download pics from my camera to my pc at home (in JHB)... very clever! So I decided to take my readers on a trip down memory lane as well!!! Well MY memory lane anyway! Had to e-mail the pics to someone and had them scanned at Anto's house...





I think they're quite self-explanatory... The pic to the right is me in my athletics gear! Very proud!! That was 15 years ago! The one with me in the black dress was my matric farewell (senior prom for the Americans!), which was 6 years ago. Then there is also a pic of my graduation, 2 years ago. The rest are just obvious family pics...






Had a crappy night last night. Had 2 glasses of milk before I went to bed last night, and forgot to take my creon (pancreatic enzymes)... So I woke up at 4am with horrible stomach pains and eventually I was sick. Immediately took my temperature, but it was fine. But was nauseous for the rest of the night and this morning. Took my temperature again and it was still fine. Sms'd my Dr anyway, and he said the nausea might be a side effect from the anti-rejection meds, but that I should just watch the situation. Well luckily it's gone now and I'm eating fine (although staying away from milk, lol!). And hopefully I'll be able to fully enjoy tonight!!! I need steak dammit!

98 Days and counting down...

So today is day #98 after transplant. I was told that the first 100 days are the crucial period. So just 2 more days and I'm through that!!! Without any complications whatsoever, How awesome is that? Going to celebrate it with my friends tomorrow evening, when we're going for cocktails, followed by dinner at a fancy restaurant!!! Looking forward to that and dressing up!!! Will definitely take lots of pics!!! On Friday my mom, dad, sister and I are spending the night at Storms River Mouth (my favourite place in the whole world!!!) to celebrate as a family. We haven't spent a night here together since 2001!!!

Saw The Other Boleyn Girl today, was a great movie!!! And my first movie this YEAR!!! Anto and I were the only people in the movie theatre, which was cool. I read the book by Philippa Greggory (not sure how you spell her name!!) as well, and considering they had to fit the entire book into a movie, I thought it was very well done. Great storyline...

Also went for a run/walk on the beach this morning, which was great, except that my ankles and knees hurt when I run. Don't know why the hell this is, but I'm going to visit my PE physio sometime this week, so will ask her about it. Maybe there's some kind of stretch or something I can do. That would be cool.

Tomorrow morning I'm going to my friend Ditha's grade 2 class. Her whole class prayed for me and drew me pictures when I was in hospital and is always asking about me. Bought them some sweets!!! It is also my old school, so I'm going to say hi to some of the teachers who taught me as well...that is if they even remember me, lol!!! The girl with the crazy hair who couldn't shut up!!! haha...

So anyway, I'm enjoying home, although in a way it feels like I'm a visitor and Joburg is my home now. Which is a good thing I guess. Prefer Joburg's drivers!!! These people send my blood pressure through the roof when they drive at 30km/hr staring at the ocean!!! And then it's locals!!! The sea looks the same as yesterday dammit, just DRIVE!!!!! And then they probably think I'm some Gauteng bitch when I overtake them with my GP numberplate, lol!!!

O yes, and for everyone who stays in PE, my article is supposed to be in the Algoa Sun on THURSDAY... so read it!!!

Quick update

My visit home has been very nice so far... Carli, my friend from Cape town (well one of my friends from CT anyway!) slept over last night, which was cool. Yesterday we had Antoinette and Daniel over for Sunday lunch and had leg of lamb... VERY yummy! Then I went to Anto's house again, and watched the previous week's Grey's Anatomy that I missed. Church was also great! Miss my church here quite a bit, but still very excited about my new church in Joburg...

This morning we had people over for tea and cookies, and did a bit of shopping this afternoon. Or rather my sister did, but my mom and I joined her. They keep complaining that I walk too fast, lol! Going to Anto's house again tonight to watch Greys! But first I need to go do some exercise... Haven't done much since my run on Friday morning. Yesterday morning the wind was horrible (a real 'welcome back to PE'... we're known as the windy city!). This morning when I woke up the first thing I listened for was the wind... and there was none... but then I saw the rain... ugh! So now it's me and the eliptical trainer... a real torture machine!!!

O, and I'm really getting nice and fat now!!! I'm at least 4/5kg heavier than in January when I weighed myself on our scale. Think I want to stop gaining weight now. Although another kilo or so won't bother me. But then it has to be muscle and not fat! In fact, if we're talking muscle then I'm not opposed to quite a few more kilos...

First evening in PE

Back in PE!!!!

First things first... I'm back in PE and with Antoinette right now... her health is not good. They did the scope, found internal bleeding, could not figure out where it's coming from or what's wrong, so they just sent her home. In pain. So she is, very understandably, quite upset. All the pain for nothing!!!! I wish I could just take her to one of the excellent doctors at Milpark hospital...

Sorry for not blogging the last few days, I used up our internet quota for the month, oops!!! So I have not had internet access since Thursday. We left Joburg yesterday afternoon, and spend the night in Bloemfontein, where we have family. The pics are of me and my cousins, ML and Nicola. Nicola graduated yesterday, so it was her graduation dinner! Unfortunately she didn't feel too well, as her dad took her out to eat skaapkop (a sheap's head... I know, gross) after graduation, so she was feeling a bit sick!!! )mental note: never eat skaapkop!!!!

Arrived in PE at about 12 o'clock. Very excited about my week here, will keep you posted!!! And so excited about Tricia being home...

Blog chain-letter thingy...

7 Random or weird things about yourself:

I was tagged by http://mizasiwa.blat.co.za/...

• Link to the person who tagged you
• Post the rules on your blog.
• Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
• Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
• Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

1. When I was little my friend Louzanne and I used to chew our toe-nails and suck our big-toes. (gross, I know)
2. Me and the neighbourhood kids had a 'gang' called 'Die Stoute Plannetjies Bende' (Naughty Plans Gang- although it doesn't sound right in English!)
3. I used to tell my sister that I'm a ghost, and that I died long ago, and then I would tell her all these stories about what life was like 'in the old days'. She beleived me.
4. I used to wish that I lived 100 or more years ago. Untill I discovered the medicine was pretty crap back then and I would've died quite early on!
5. I wanted to become a composer when I was in Primary school, and actually finished my grade 8 piano exam, but I'm too lazy to practise these days.
6. I don't really like pasta
7. I love medical drama's (go figure!)

I'm tagging:

http://www.bree-theblogblog.blogspot.com/

http://princesssam-sam.blogspot.com/

http://clamshellmuni.blogspot.com/

http://www.pinkandsmiley.blogspot.com/

http://dancing65roses.blogspot.com/

http://talanaf.blogspot.com/

http://katelynharlow.blogspot.com/

Wednesday morning

So I had another bad dream last night. This time it involved no coughing, but lots of not-being-able-to-breathe-ness. I dreamt that we were having lunch at our neighbours in PE, and I was really battling to breathe. Like when I used to feel after I haven't coughed or nebulised for a few hours, very tight-chested. And I was struggling to eat, which is what used to happen then. And I was getting anxious about getting home, stressing about having to walk ALL THE WAY NEXT DOOR.... When I woke up I had to take a few deep breaths, because it still felt like I was battling! So I went for another run/walk this morning, and went a bit further than last week, just to make sure the dream wasn't real!


The strange thing that I have realised though is that when I'm awake, I can't remember what it felt like struggling like that! Seriously, I try to remember, but it's hard. I remember my limitations and all the things I loathed, like climbing stairs, but I can't quite pinpoint how my breathing FELT. However, when I dream about not being able to breathe or coughing up blood, I know EXACTLY what it feels like and it's SO REAL. It's like my brain remembers it and wants to remind me. Which I am thankfull for, quite frankly. It reminds me to thank God for these beautiful lungs and appreciate them to the full!



Yesterday was quite cool, went to visit my surgeon, haven't seen him in ages! And the guy who came up and talked to me at church, Craig, came for coffee! Well, we had loadshedding, so technically speaking he came for juice (and cookies), lol! So excited about making friends here!!! After that my dad and I went out for supper to celebrate my 3 months post tx. And of course the power was still off so I couldn't cook (yay!) This afternoon Peter is coming for coffee (or juice if he wants, lol!) and tomorrow afternoon I've got an interview with the Sunday Independant!!! About winning the blog award. Hopefully I'll get to see the article on-line (and post a link!), as we're going to be in PE on Sunday and don't get the paper there!

Oh and the pic of the cat is just because I miss her so much and can't wait to see both of them on Saturday! On the photo she is being very naughty, lying in my room where she's not allowed to be anymore! Just look at that face... you gotta love her!

3 MONTHS and another headline...

Today is my 3 month anniversary!!!!!!! On 22 January this time I was waiting in the hospital, scared, excited, a bit anxious... Praise God that everything has gone perfectly so far!!!!

The new article that I submitted this morning has also been headlined!! It's a totally different topic than the previous one, but take a look if you want to: http://alicevosloo.instablogs.com/entry/when-does-patriotism-become-offensive/

MY ARTICLE WAS HEADLINED!!!!!

Yay!!!!!!!! My first article that I wrote for http://www.instablogs.com/ has been headlined!!!!!!! Go and read it!!!! Look under Citizen Voices... or http://alicevosloo.instablogs.com/entry/organ-donation-neglected/

I HAVE FOUND A CHURCH!!!!!!!

Church was great last night!!! The moment I steped foot into the church people greeted me. It is a small church, so everyone knew that I'm new. And as I entered the auditorium a very nice guy immediately came up to me and introduced himself and sat next to me during the service. It's very simmilar to Harvest, my church in PE, just WAY smaller, but that's nice. I met the rest of the youth as well, and will be joining their cell-group when I get back from PE in 2 weeks time. SO EXCITED!!!! Just want to mention that I didn't wear my mask. (only have to wear it to the hospital and when I feel threatened by sick people/ too many people from now on) I only told the one guy about my transplant. Will inform the rest when I join the cell-group, but it was quite a nice feeling not being different. No mask, no couching, just a normal girl in a new church...

Although speaking of coughing... had a horrible coughing dream last night. Dreamt that I had started coughing up bloody green junk. Was horrible, I woke up with my heart racing and only relaxed once I realised my chest is clear!

Antoinette is going to the hospital at 12 today, so please pray for her and that they figure out what's wrong once and for all! Have a good week!!

weekend so far

It's been a great weekend so far! Went to fetch my mom at the airport on Friday evening, and got some pizza on the way back. I also made some brownies for the weekend (although it came out a bit hard...). Yesterday morning we went SHOPPING!!!!!!! Was very successful! Got some nice winter stuff!

After our shopping expedition we had lunch in Melville, which was very yummy. We spent the afternoon just relaxing and reading, and watched La Vie En Rose on dvd. Very good movie!!!! I've also started kniting another scarf (that does not mean the previous one in finished, I'm just a little bored with it and bought some amazing new wool with my Aunty Deanie 2 weeks ago, and couldn't wait to start any longer!), which is looking beautiful!

Went to the same church as last week with my parents today, and again thought that it might be way too huge for my liking. Checking out Church Alive tonight! Hopefully I'll feel more at home there... After church we went to Sandton City! It was my first time there, and although we only bought food and stuff, it was an experience to see. Amazingly huge shopping centre. Next time one of my girlfriends come to visit we're definitely spending a day there! Will have to save up some money first!

Going to have some coffee now and either knit or read... My mom's visit went by so quickely (she's leaving tomorrow morning at 6am, so she has to be at the airport at 5am, luckily I'll still be sleeping, lol!), but at least we'll be seeing her again on Satuday, when we'll be back in PE for a week. CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Something quite exciting and the weekend ahead

I've been invited to be a Citizen Journalist for www.instablogs.com ... Cool and a bit scary at the same time!!! You have to submit 2-3 articles a week and get paid for them (in US$!) Articles should be about politics, economics, society, hot-toppics etc, and they should be your own viewpoint. I've registered, so hope I'll have enough to say!

My visit to Dr Williams went great today, everything was fine. Went for another jog/walk this morning (so all in all I did 3 runs and a 6km cycle this week), and my legs aren't even tired! Going to go a bit further next week! And the week after that we're going down to PE again, where I can RUN ON THE BEACH!!!!!

My mom's flying up tonight, so will be great to have her here for the weekend! Missed her quite a bit. Going shopping etc!!!! My poor sister has to stay in PE to study... :-( But at least I'm seeing her next weekend when we go down there!

Also... Antoionette, my friend who blogged for me while I was in the hospital and even after that when I didn't have internet yet, has to go for some kind of kidney surgery/scope on Monday. This will be her third one. They can't figure out what's wrong, and she's in pain, feverish and nauseous all the time. That's no way to live, so please pray that they figure out what's wrong with her this time!!!