January
Christmas 2012 was a bit scary when I was admitted back into hospital after experiencing declining symptoms in my health. I started the New Year precariously, wondering what would be in store. Would I stay well enough for transplant? Would I get my transplant? How long would this eternal wait go on for?
Still, we started the New Year as we meant to go on, with a zest for life and trying to live in the moment. With January we got lots of snow, but it didn't stop us getting out and about to keep up our spirits!
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| Sherrardswood Park in the snow |
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| Snowdrops at Astonbury |
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| A short winter walk at Rutland Water bird reserve |
February
We were given lots of opportunities to promote organ donation through national TV, local TV, local radio and the local newspapers.
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We had a wonderful chance to promote organ donation in the ITV 'From the Heart' campaign' |
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| A bit strange having a TV crew in your lounge! |
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| And then a chance to promote organ donation in the local papers! |
March
March started off with more hospital, as it was decided that my disease was deteriorating and it was time to increase my drugs to try and keep me stable. I also had a visit to the transplant clinic for my regular check up and saw the transplant team while I was hospital.
We celebrated Sarah's 21st, another big milestone for me!
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| Sarah turned 21, we had a family celebration in London |
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| Exploring Westminster in my wheels! |
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| Mother's Day |
April
Still feeling quite stable in my health, we had a lovely trip to cumbria and celebrated my birthday, yet another milestone, at Kew gardens.
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| A trip to Cumbria, daffodils in Milnthorpe |
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| Water lily at Kew |
May
We had some lovely springtime days out including Wrest Park in Bedfordshire and a weekend in Cambridge, when we enjoyed the first burst of promising warm sunshine.
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| Tulip time at Wrest Park |
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| Sunshine and punting on the river Cam |
June
Juggling around my illness, which was a little up and down, we managed to enjoy a few days in Christchurch visiting Rose down at uni in Bournemouth and more days out. I had more visits to pre transplant clinic and Ph clinic, things were still quite stable again.
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| Enjoying the view of Christchurch harbour |
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| Wisteria at Hatfield House |
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| We had blue tits nesting in the garden |
July
We went back to Dorset, staying at Sandbanks, to bring Rose back from uni, had some more lovely days out and were back on the radio again and in the local papers. Rob and Rose presented a talk on organ donation at John Henry Newman School, Stevenage.
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| Sunset at Sandbanks |
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| Cambridge Botanical Gardens |
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| Back on Jack FM following Rob and Rose's talk at John Henry Newman School |
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| Pupils signed up to the organ donor register! |
July
It was National Transplant Week and more opportunities to promote organ donation both in the local papers and on the radio again. Rob took part in the Transplant choir celebrations in Sheffield. We had a lovely afternoon tea at Papworth with Stacie and Bernice and other pre and post transplant patients and the Transplant Team The weather was fantastic and we had a fabulous week by the beach in Whitstable. We were also deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our friend Ann.
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| Poppy field near Cambridge |
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| Me with Bernice and Stacie, all waiting patiently for heart and lung transplants! |
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| The transplant choir event in Sheffield |
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| Sunny days at Whitstable, Kent |
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| Thoughts of our lovely friend Ann, who will always be remembered in our hearts |
August
More glorious weather and days out and a lovely break back in Cumbria!
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| A visit to Windsor Castle (in a wheelchair they take you to parts of the castle where others can't go!) |
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| Highlight of my holiday in Cumbria, meeting up with my lovely friend Bente and her husband Les! |
September
Another visit to transplant clinic, things were still going relatively well. Rose took part in the Run to the Beat half marathon, raising £3137 for the PHA UK. We had another fantastic weekend in London, with some careful planning around my illness and using my wheelchair.
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| Rose and David going for it! |
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Congratulations!
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We took Rose back to university, moving her into her new house and enjoyed a couple of days back in Dorset.
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| Sunset over Sandbanks |
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| Kingston Lacy |
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| Last of summer |
21st September and I had been waiting for my new heart and lungs for exactly two years and had been working towards this two year milestone since I had been listed for transplant. (I had been advised the average wait was two years.) The day came and went and I adjusted my mindset that I would now be passing the average 'wait' and my wait would carry on into the following year and beyond even. We began to plan more good things to do to try and keep positive, emotionally and mentally well and physically well and stable, while we endured the wait.
Just after passing my two year wait for transplant I was taken back in hospital, as I experienced declining symptoms in my health yet again. I was worried the fainting symptoms were coming back again and my heart wasn't coping. I was seen by both the transplant team and my PH team. It is frightening, I wonder how long I can keep going on like this; I worry if my drugs need to be increased once more and just how much I will tolerate or even if they will keep working. The side effects of the drugs are continually dragging me down me, especially after the increase in drugs in March.
At the end of September we celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary, another milestone on the calendar for me.
The very last day of September and my life was then changed forever with one short phone call. 'Kathryn, we have a potential match for you'.
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| Taking that call, which came at the most unexpected of times, Monday morning rush hour! |
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| On my way to theatre |
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| The hardest battle I have ever fought. |
October
I went into theatre in September and woke up five days later in October. At the beginning of October I fought hard for my life, by the end of October my brand new, better life was in full swing. The power of the human body and mind is amazing and the abilities of the consultants, doctors, nurses and staff at Papworth is awe inspiring.
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| But I did it, I always knew I would! |
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| Each week I got better |
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| and better... |
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and better still...
Three and a half weeks later and I was formally discharged from hospital.
November
November saw many post transplant clinic visits, overnight stays in hospital, bronchoscopies and further tests to monitor my progress and check for both infection and rejection of my new organs. I recovered each week and made my first visit back to Lancashire and Cumbria by the end of November. It was harder than I expected and at times I didn't feel so well, but I managed it and enjoyed myself and was so delighted I had done so. It does no harm to test what you can manage from time to time and push the boundaries! |
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| And so back in Cumbria once more and out with my camera again, even better... |
I started getting organised with my Christmas shopping, it gave me some focus, other than the shock of my transplant and trying to recover. I wanted to be organised just in case I ended up staying back in hospital.
December
December was soon on us and last minute Christmas preparations were done. I had chance to catch up with many of my friends and give out presents and cards, in between hospital stays and clinics. As a family we had the most special and wonderful Christmas I will never forget.
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| Before we could blink it was Christmas! |
So 2013 ends today in the best possible way for me and my family. It has been a roller coaster year that will be marked in our memories forever. It is three months now since my transplant, I have felt the benefits from day one of my transplant, but now I am feeling much better than I did pre transplant and my exercise tolerance is improving by the day. I can see endless possibilities for the New Year and my hopes and dreams coming true.
All this, is because of one very special person, my donor, and one very special family, who agreed to give the most precious gift that can ever be given or received, the gift of a new life. Do you believe in miracles? We do in our house. My new life just gets better and better...
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| In memory of my donor, who is with me always on my new journey in life |
Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy, prosperous New Year and may it bring all your dreams and hopes!
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