Christmas -Handle with Self Care

Christmas Handle with Self Care.

       

Christmas isn’t / wasn’t for me. I guess I’m not alone and for every person who gets excited for Christmas there’s another like me taking a deep breath and hoping it’s soon over. Don’t get me wrong as I do love aspects of Christmas, sparkly lights (who doesn’t love them!), the Salvation Army playing Carols, coming together with friends and family and sharing the Lindt Balls.......maybe not that ! I do tend to get run down at this time of year and catch a cold then add in general exhaustion. This year I had to forfeit a wonderful night out with friends so I was well enough for the big event Christmas Day.  Christmas feels like one big rush in the end after it starting to pop up in September, you can’t do the bulk of preparation until the end. Even present buying as children have this habit of changing their minds ! There’s the running around to buy presents and wrap said presents, buy the tree and decorate the house, write Christmas cards (if you still bother), shop for all the food, and then slave in the kitchen on Christmas Day, thankfully my mum is the main chef and I’m a kitchen hand. . It is such a busy period, for some of my friends it involves visiting different parts of their family for different meals, or over different days and that can involve a lot of travelling. Christmas just isn’t my kind of relaxed. 

                                                Parts of the run up to it I enjoy especially visiting Christmas Craft fairs and markets, actually that’s probably the only bit ! I often stand there during the weeks before the event wondering what the hell am I doing, I know nothing unusual there ! My lists need lists to stay ahead of the Christmas game and organised. I just find it all a bit crazy this mad dash for one day, one extreme roast dinner and the giving of sometimes unwanted gifts just because..... Actually I stopped that this year, decided no more going around in circles in Town until I was inspired to buy something vaguely decent. So therefore if you didn’t volunteer gift ideas you got the cash cop out ! Food shopping, why does my dad have to have a jar of pickled onions and a jar of beetroot ? Why do we need a huge selection of soft drinks when 50% of the household normally drink tap water. The cheese board when we only usually have cheddar, the selection of crackers when we usually have Jacobs cream crackers. On the point of crackers (the pulling kind), I forgot to buy any, oh my god, such a huge festive crime. Which led me to scouring the shelves of many shops after work on Christmas Eve. I eventually found some I was prepared to pay up for. Let’s just say there is a tray in the dining room with ten unwanted plastic items from said must have crackers !!!! Why have we gone so crazy ? Although I did wander what happened to all the unsold Christmas trees outside Sainsbury’s on Christmas Eve, just 24 hours later I walked past and there was no trace, well a pine needle or two. Oh and the supermarkets are now reminding me that it’s nearly Easter ! It’s like Christmas never happened but it did and it took most of December in its jaws too, swallowed up in the frenzy. Actually that may have been work that did that, I did work a couple of Saturdays !  

     Over Christmas I really, really miss my space as I have to surrender my bedroom to the old folks. I have to share a room with someone and listen to them breathe all night while I battle insomnia and need the loo, ahhh yes I miss my en-suite ! Oh and I live with white noise addicts and I’m the only one who sleeps without a fan. Over Christmas I miss my routine, I miss my walks, my gym trips, my swimming and my aqua aerobics. Those are the things that help keep me balanced, they provide what I need. It’s all about self care with me, otherwise the cracks begin again. Christmas provides me with too much thinking time without offering any respite. No going to bed when I want, no long baths, no candle lit bedroom, no getting lost in a book, in its place sitting around in front of the TV making polite conversation. Those that know me , know this isn’t me. I rarely switch on the TV, I hardly ever spend any time in my living room. I have the attention span of a gold fish.  So I find it a huge strain. I stay ok because I work hard at being ok, does that make sense ?  Going to work on the 24th and 27th helped, it broke things up. 

     We have all had enough of the party type food and want simple meals again, it’s like being on holiday and eating out for two weeks, you crave a sandwich or a piece of toast. I’ve had enough of all the weird food combinations because things need to be used up, trifle for breakfast is acceptable during this week of post Christmas weirdness. We are nearly over all of that so it’s obviously time to mess things up again with New Years Eve and Day. I won’t stay up to see the New Year in unless I suddenly stop waking up at 4.50am every day ! My 50th year, I better think of some unobtainable New Years resolutions to fail at !!!! Nah why bother ! So there you are my post Christmas muttering, I’m either bah humbug or I’m just honest, you can decide. ❤️ 

   Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year 2019 ❤️ lots of love Bec ❤️

                                         

    

          

Happiness- Love the Life You Live

Love the Life You Live - Happiness

   Happiness, I think you choose it. I like to or have to remain positive to get through certain aspects of my life otherwise the sadness would consume me. I just find it easier choosing happy, it helps me adjust my mindset and determines how I interpret what’s happening. Choose to be happy. Choose to push away negative energy. Choose to be happy rather than to suffer. I like to see the good in everyday, everybody and everything. Of course that doesn’t mean I always find the good in people or situations that I find myself in but I like to try ! Only you can you make yourself happy. I would advise not relying on anyone else to make you happy. If you aren’t happy with yourself, you won’t think you deserve affection and attention. So make yourself a priority.

 I like to find happiness in small everyday things , things that make me smile ahhhh Sheldon the Lobster, wearing dresses, eating cake, reading chick lit, swimming, earl grey tea in a gorgeous Cath Kidston mug, spending time with family and friends.......the list goes on. My far too many photographs document most of the things I love in life on a daily basis. I think my choices enhance my life and how I generally feel, I enjoy creating happiness.

       

I deal with life one day at a time , I recommend this as it’s easier to focus on the present, not yesterday or tomorrow. Now this is a huge thing for me, because of what happened with Eloise and a few other traumatic and unsettling life events I don’t look back too often. I cannot change what happened but I can change how I react to it. Obviously I do reflect, I do feel anger and great sadness but I deal with it as best I can . I just feel that time is now, I am here in this very moment. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring and that’s probably for the best ! I believe in staying focused on today rather than worrying about yesterday and tomorrow. I don’t want to miss out on the happiness that’s available to me right now.

 

The art of being grateful also plays it’s part. I like to try and turn negative thoughts into more positive ones. This is especially true when dealing with Eloise’s heart transplant. Yes it’s so bloody horrendous that a simple virus left her in severe heart failure but it’s a miracle that she received a heart transplant that 16 years on is still beating strongly. I’m eternally grateful for all those who saved her, especially her donor family. I think being grateful brings on a positive mindset change, a better way of thinking and dealing with life. Just my opinion and something that works well for me. Gratitude makes me appreciate all I have in my life, my beautiful family, fabulous friends, my home and all it contains, plus all the loveliness I embellish my life with.  So maybe take a look at all the happiness you already have in your life. Focus on the great things you have already and hug those beautiful people who fill your life with love and friendship right now. I hear people saying “I will be happy when…” I’ll be happy when I go on holiday , when its not raining, when it’s payday ,when I lose 10 pounds… but happiness comes from living in the moment. By putting happiness on hold until the future,you’re robbing yourself of precious moments. Love the life you live.

              

I like other people to be happy too, it’s lovely to make someone feel happy when they previously felt down. When you turn someone’s mood or mindset around by helping them, you can sense it and that happy feeling flows back to you. People like to be around happy people.Happiness and laughter are contagious. Even if I’m really stressed out, especially at work, I try to be positive and energetic because I know it will only bring others down if I am negative (except on Mondays when I’m not at my Sparkly best ! ) People tend to dwell on the negative and bring others down. It is best to choose carefully who you let into your life. I find my life is better if it’s filled with like minded positive people who lift me up and only want the best for me and themselves. It’s good to share and spread happiness around, it’s at the top of my to do list plus a sprinkling of kindness ! Look after your friends, nurture your friendships and show them they are appreciated. 

   Do more of what you like to do, make time for the things that make your heart sing. There is nothing wrong with self care and giving yourself time to just be. Free up some time to do the things that make you happy. I love making plans , especially planning days out with my children and my gorgeous ladies. The gift of time is one of the best things you can give yourself and those you love. We live in a busy World but we do waste time that we could use in a more positive way. There is always time that you can free up, you have a choice, choose happy.

                                       

      

                              

Full of Life

Full of Life ❤️

18 years 

216 months

936 weeks

6374 days

        

      

Happy 18th Birthday Eloise. For most parents they knew this day would come. They knew they’d watch their baby girl grow into a toddler, a young girl, a young teenager and onto being a young woman. Nothing has been certain here, no promises just statistics and a whole host of post transplant issues that showed us we were in for a battle. But we are a team and we’ve got here precious.

      I hope I’ve given you a life that you’ve enjoyed , I’ve done my best and always tried to do the right thing for you. It was incredibly hard deciding whether to put you on the transplant list. I guess being a paediatric nurse I knew some of what you’d be facing, the painful procedures being the most upsetting. Could I put you through that I wondered at the time. I wasn’t ready to let you go though, I never ever will be. I hope I wasn’t selfish when I chose to sign those consent forms , when I let you go to theatre for your heart transplant. I hope the bad days have been minimal for you , I hate seeing you in pain and even then you remain incredibly brave. Post transplant life has expected a lot from you and you’ve never given up, you’ve never said “why me?”

                                  

     

      Life is cruel and I wish you’d never learnt that at such a young age. I wish you hadn’t been pushed into a world where your young friends die. I can’t protect you from the harsh reality of post transplant life as I chose not to build a bubble around you. I decided to be truthful from the onset, whether I got this right I don’t know but I think it was the right decision, do you ? I admire your strength and how you get through the toughest of days without any drama, we could all learn so much from your quiet determination. 

          I didn’t dare imagine this day but at the same time I wanted it so badly. All those growing up milestones that people are scared of because their baby is growing up I’ve been desperate for you to achieve them. Life has gone fast, can it really be 18 years since my Warrior Maiden made her 8 week early entrance into the World? I held you in my arms so briefly and then you were whisked away to Neonatal Intensive care. I’ve never got used to handing you over to strangers and leaving you. However I’ve had every faith in all the medical teams that have played such an enormous role in your life, maybe they should get the birthday cake ? 

       

         So here you are another wonderful year older, possibly still none the wiser as you often hang out in Weasy’s World ! I know you still feel like a child but you are evolving.....slowly ! Change from adult to child doesn’t happen in one day and you’ll adapt. In the meantime I’ll carry on dragging you along and helping you with your hospital appointments etc. Remember you’ve got a lot more to deal with than your peers and it’ll always ok to ask for my help. You’re an awesome creature, who had an angiogram done awake and did so well despite being so very scared. You could have said no, you could have bottled it but no you endured it as you’re that kind of person. 

              18 years, 16 of those a gift from Zara’s family, the ultimate gift, the gift of life. The gift that money cannot buy, a priceless gift from a stranger. We are celebrating today because of their decision and their bravery. Zara is a huge part of our lives and we never forget her. We are so lucky to have Zara’s family in our life so they can watch you grow up too Eloise. I’m so glad you’ve know met Zara’s mummy the time was right this year for you both. 

                                  

        So Happy Birthday precious, can you get a chocolate hangover ? I’m sure you’ll be overindulging in huge slabs of Colin the Caterpillar cake. Enjoy your day Batgirl 

    Loads of love Mummy xxx

                                 

Finely Tuned.

My finely tuned life, became a little off balance six weeks ago in more ways than one ! As you know I had a fall that resulted in me fracturing my foot and being put into a plaster cast and given crutches. The instructions being I wasn’t to put any weight through that foot. So immediately off balance, my hopping skills are poor, I’m absolutely rubbish at standing on one leg.  Then reality sets in, I’ve lost control and I have to ask for help. I prefer to do everything myself , I love being independent but that was taken away. It was so frustrating but also a humbling experience as I have friends who deal with much bigger struggles than this daily, for them it never ends. I knew that I’d be standing back on my two feet at some point .

                                

          I’ve made my life balance over the years in order to be the best version of myself mentally . If self care is selfish I’m an extremely selfish woman. I’m lucky to balance the needs of my family and my own needs. One of my biggest needs is exercise, obviously physically I’m no advertisement for fitness but mentally I’m pretty sound and that’s why I go. Anger management, solitude, tension release, zone out, happy hormones and of course it’s important to breathe. Let’s not forget that Homes Under the Hammer can be viewed on your very own screen on the cardio machines ! When life gets tough I thrash that gym, however here I was under house arrest when I so needed head space. Eloise had an appointment at Great Ormond Street, this increases my anxieties hugely and I had no way to release my tension. Another go to place when I’m stressed is the bathroom for a long candle lit soak in the bath. Again access denied. It was like I was being tested, let’s see if she cracks up, obviously I didn’t and I remain crazily sane ! I’m thankful that during the time I was in the plaster cast the weather was amazing as sitting outside really helped. I devoured books, losing myself in their adventures for hours. 

         I guess I did manage to rebalance my life during this period, I had to accept the changes and adapt to them. Finding balance again was important to me. I had to decide what was important and that was allowing my leg to heal. So I had to miss out on a few things, I had to accept I couldn’t do everything around the house but I prioritised what was important. I became excellent at hanging out washing on one leg ! 

                       

                                 

     Of course times of crisis also allow you to see who steps up who offers emotional support, who brings you cake, who ferries you around, who sits with you to keep you company to break up your day. It was a very isolating experience, quite strange I’m saying that as some days when I am out and about I get totally peopled out and seek solitude ! Maybe it was just the freedom to choose being taken from me I didn’t like. It was also good to see the kindness of strangers, the people who helped me while I was wobbling around on my crutches, the helpful staff at the train stations, the patient taxi drivers, the staff at the BRI fracture clinic and A/E. So thank you to all of you that dragged me through the tunnel towards the light and warmth of Spain. To those that didn’t bother sod you then. 

                                 

   So many lessons learnt during such a short period of time, so in hindsight maybe I just needed to slow down, take a deep breath and appreciate the people I’ve chosen to surround myself with and find some peace within myself. I didn’t fail. 

                      

       

Another Year ❤️

Another year

                                     

On the 10th June 2017 we celebrated another precious year of life for Eloise. Another year with my miracle. Another year that wasn’t promised. Another year against the odds. She’d made it. Also in June we celebrated Eloise finishing her secondary school education and attending her school prom. She looked gorgeous while still retaining her quirky style. I never thought I'd see here complete her Primary education so for her to complete her Secondary education fills me with joy. 

     In July we went on holiday to Turkey again for the umpteenth time but it’s Eloise’s favourite place and that’s important. Making memories, taking too many photos, is that even possible ? 

    In August we celebrated again this time Eloise’s GCSE results , that kid with the horrific attendance did well. She passed 8 of her exams getting 7 B’s and 1 C , this meant she was excepted into 6th form to take her A’levels. Despite having so much time off she always caught up with her work and was a conscientious student. 

    September meant more cake as Eloise turned 17 , how did that happen. Once it seemed impossible that Eloise would reach this age but here she is starting college to take three A’levels.

    October brought the end of an era as Eloise said goodbye to Bristol Children’s hospital, the wonderful team of cardio techs and her consultant Dr Martin. Time to transition to adult services. Another big step but forward so that’s the way we like it. It’s hard saying goodbye to people who are so important as without their amazing care from the onset of Eloise’s illness I wouldn’t be writing this post. 

   December another Christmas and New Year, precious memories made, family times and days that were never promised. 

    The months mingle and blur together, our week in a lodge in Somerset, our hot tub chats, Eloise starting her first job helping out at Zebras After School Club, her geography field trip, meeting other young people on a BHF meet up, beautiful memories, bonus days. Days that I never take for granted, days I like to fill with happiness. 

    In April we had the best day receiving the priceless news that Eloise’s heart looks healthy and has no signs of coronary artery disease. She was so brave lying there having that angiogram done awake. She’s such a strong and brave creature. Soon she will be leaving Great Ormond Street Hospital too so it really is the end of an era. 

          Today she told me how impressed her IT teacher is with her work and report on spread sheets, she went above and beyond with her homework and took it to another level. He's the spread sheet expert but used Eloise's work as an example. She's really found her niche and subjects she is passionate about. Hopefully this will later lead into an apprenticeship for her. 

    So here we are back full circle to the 9th of June, the day I was told a potential donor had been found for Eloise. How can you be excited and happy when you know that somewhere a baby has died ? Yet totally appreciating this is the only chance your child has of surviving. You're being given hope tied up in a huge knot of sadness. Also at this point I didn't know if Eloise would even survive the surgery, she arrested in front of me at 22.00hrs just before being taken into theatre. Once stable I said goodbye to her before she was taken through into the theatre suite. Nothing at this point was certain and I guess even now we live a life of uncertainty. 

   So as I write this I’m extremely aware that Zara never reached these growing up milestones, never had these experiences. It is such a year of change, starting to go from child to adult.  I only hope Eloise continues to give her donor family comfort. I know that Rebecca loved meeting Eloise for the first time in April. I've heard from Rebecca today, it's strange that both of us have changed recently , she's said in her email "I'm not too bad this year....." I felt like that during Eloise's diagnosis day. Time hasn't healed me but it's shown me how to deal with my feelings. 

      So Today the 9th June is for remembering Zara and then tomorrow the 10th June we will celebrate 16 years of life and living all thanks to Zara's gift. 

                    

     

       

Chasing the clouds away

                    

As you all know on the 23rd May 2002 I experienced a traumatic event. Eloise being so acutely ill on a ventilator in paediatric intensive care, Eloise covered in tubes and wires, cannulas and lines that they've struggled to put into her shut down body. Eloise with little chance of survival. Eloise diagnosed with cardiomyopathy of unknown origin at this point. Life as I knew it ended on that day. That day left me feeling helpless and emotionally out of control. This psychological trauma left me with memories, flash backs, anxiety, but it also left me numb, I felt disconnected from people. It's taken many , many years for me to feel safe and for my pain to lessen. 

                   

The  years since I've been writing this blog have helped me enormously , this has been my self-help strategy and I've let you be my support. What happened to Eloise nearly broke me but it didn't, maybe the pieces of my life are now in a different order but that's ok. Even though I found others going through similar experiences online ;my transplant family; I still felt isolated from the rest of you. 

      As well as the emotional symptoms of shock, guilt, sadness etc I also experienced physical symptoms such as insomnia, being easily startled ( I remain quite jumpy !) and I can often feel agitated when I feel tense. These are no longer constant as time is indeed a great healer, these symptoms are mainly saved up for hospital appointments or specific dates. I know I shall continue to grieve what I lost, I know I'll continue to feel anger, I know if I screw up my eyes and think hard enough I can play back many traumatic conversations in film colour on the back of my eyelids. But this means the harder times are very infrequent now. I know life can change in the blink of an eye, I also know worrying about it won't change the outcome. I can be quite wise on occasion.

    The agitation and insomnia have been helped greatly by that evil known as exercise. I need my gym fix or a gentle swim. It calms me or allows a positive outlet for my anger. It's a good place for me, not a bad addiction either ! I listen to music and focus on myself, I don't give myself time for negativity. This is self care. I try and get between 7-8 hours sleep and I do manage that 95% off the time these days. The "loneliness"  has gone I feel by writing down how I feel I'm letting you all in, I'm no longer isolating myself. This is good, I don't want to sit in a circle and discuss how I'm feeling, I don't want 1-1 with a therapist I want the freedom to write when I need to. I know how to calm myself down, time out in the bathroom, candles, music and a book or just curled up along lost in a book. Books offer great escapes ! 

    I don't need my traumatic memories erased they are part of who I am now. However it's good that they are mainly at rest. I guess it's also about avoiding the triggers with me. So nemesis day I'm ready for you, eyes wide open so that'll stop you delivering any flashbacks !  Let's just have a "normal" day ! 

       

Realisation - a positive change.

Less than an hour ago I was sat in my kitchen looking at my iPad smiling to myself as a wonderful realisation swept over me. I’d forgotten the date, well I’ve been writing the date all day so I know it’s the 14th of May but I hadn’t realised it is the 23rd of May next week. I was sharing a link on my Facebook to the BBC documentary that’s on heart transplantation tonight so I wrote a little piece about my experience with Eloise. It was only then that I realised my nemesis day was so close !
                                          The 23rd of May has haunted me for many years, the day my world came crashing down as my precious Eloise was diagnosed with myocarditis and not expected to survive. The pain has eased over the past few years and I’ve stopped crying ! I never used to get through the day without a session of weeping , usually in private, usually into my pillow. Such a lonely time to be upset. People expect you to get over such events. You’re told or expected not to dwell on the past. You’re told that “time is a great healer” maybe it is but you remain scarred. Yes the event is in the past but I cannot switch off from it completely, it’s not a light switch. I’m sure many of my friends have heard these things or maybe even said them ?  You can’t just get over a trauma like this, you cannot just move on or forget it, you have to live with it and find peace. Life will never be the same again. Having pressure put on you just makes things more difficult, you have to work on your feelings in your own time and only when you are ready.

                              For me writing this blog has really helped, I can be honest, I can express myself, I can “talk” without fear of crying. I can explain how I’m feeling without anyone looking at me. I feel safe in here and writing this is my therapy. I’m talking to you and I feel you understand that what happened to me is important. Currently biting my nails........
             I know I won’t totally get over what happened to Eloise, I cannot forget what I saw, the flashbacks still happen, they are very vivid, imprinted in fine detail in my brain. But I can live with them. They show me what a fighter Eloise is, they show me how far she’s come, they remind me to believe in miracles, they remind me how precious and fragile life is. They are part of me now. My demons are getting tamer and I can let them out of the box in my head when I need to.
                            So 23rd May 2018, I guess I’m more than ready for you. A life changing day but you haven’t broken me yet. 

Winning the Lottery

Monday Night’s thoughts.

“How are you?” 

Me- “ I’m fine, thank you “ said with a beaming smile.

Look closer at that smile it didn’t reach my eyes, my eyes that have felt the prickling of tears that I refused to let out. My anxiety level is pretty high at the moment. Thankfully it’s still being managed, I can hear myself doing the deep breath and sighing thing. I want to run away and escape from my fears for even the briefest of moments. I’m on high alert, I’m prepared to fight and do whatever it takes to get through these next few days. What am I running from ? Reality or just the uncertain part of my reality Eloise’s heart transplant and her over due angiogram. 

         Am I over reacting ? What do you think ? Should I fret before these appointments or just think “what will be, will be”  I’m not stupid I do realise anxiety or no anxiety the outcome of this appointment will be the same. The results will not change and what ever happens I will deal with it. I know I will as past experience has shown me that. Past experience has also taught me to take nothing for granted ! So I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

    So it’s 10.40, I should be asleep but I fear trying to sleep as I know I will lie there having conversations and going through possible scenarios. My panic increases, my mind goes into overdrive . Then I count how much sleep I can potentially get, then I pop to the loo, then I’m thirsty, too hot, too cold , I’m just impossibly restless right now and nighttime is one of my enemies. Im too exhausted physically and mentally to stay awake but I’m too scared to sleep. It’s lonely at night when you’re in the dark. I’m my own inbuilt enemy and I cannot escape from myself, a gagging order for my over active brain please. Perhaps I should try and sleep, tomorrow needs me......

      

  

Tuesday’s musings.

    Sleep, that’s better you came back to me ! Appetite you didn’t falter so I remain fat. I need appetite suppressing anxiety really. Let me now confess to making this trip to Gosh even more stressful. We met Rebecca, Eloise’s donor’s mum for an hour. We’d been emailing and she realised she was at Gosh chairing an organ donation meeting on picu. She asked how we would feel about meeting up, I checked with Eloise and she wanted to. I feel I have to be guided by both of them, this is more about their feelings than mine. I didn’t need to have been nervous, we chatted over coffee the most natural of conversations, it just worked and flowed. I’m so proud of Eloise you know that already but she truly is amazing. We walked away from the meeting and Eloise was happy , she just said I’m connected to that lady because of her daughter’s heart. Rebecca emailed me later, she agreed with how natural it all felt, our first born daughters are both at uni, they sound similar. She then said she liked meeting Eloise, “I see what you mean about her being chilled. How lovely is she?” I’m so glad this meeting went so well. 

      The rest of the afternoon comprised of the usual pre Anglo activity, clerking, obs, swabs, ecg, echo......transition chat, you know the kind of thing now.  Sadly, this is sarcasm the Italian Wing transplant accommodation was full so we had to stay in a hotel. Poor, poor us, a triple room, Wi-fi, TV, tea and coffee and our own bathroom, whoop, whoop. Good soundproofed windows so we didn’t hear any outside noise, win, win . Those that know the Italian wing will appreciate how wonderful it was to have a good nights sleep in a bed without a covering of plastic. Sleep that wasn’t broken by the early recycling of glass bottles. Small pleasures ! 

     We spent a lovely evening meandering around Piccadilly, and Oxford street, the weather was kind so we took our time. I visited Cath Kidstons flagship store, it’s a beauty, so I was happy. We have two more (un)necessary mugs ! Eloise has two pairs of jeans without holes in them. The “last supper” was spent in Ed’s Diner where we ate far too much but hey we had good reason! 

     

                    

       

Wednesday arrived......

So we arrived here on Walrus ward at 7.30 knowing Eloise was the second person going to the Cath lab this morning.  Poor thing had to be cannulated on the ward, three attempts, a big bruise and a tearful Eloise later they got one in. She hates cannulas and they always struggle getting one in. The pregnancy test revealed that I’m not going to be a grandma, it always makes us smile. Eloise rocked the gown and stocking look, and looked a treat in her “ f**king ballerina tights” 

                           

    Eloise eventually went to theatre at 10.40 she was introduced to her nurse who’d stay up the head end ! It was strange leaving her awake to walk into theatre. I’ve felt more emotional walking away previously it was nice to see her smile and get a hug before I left her. The wait for news was agonising, you can’t concentrate and constantly clock watch. I fixated on the fact they said an hour where was she it was now an hour and 45 minutes. Then Matt came in her consultant, he was smiling, the fear rushed out of me. Her heart is pristine, better than you’d expect after nearly 16 years. Absolutely no narrowing of the arteries, no swelling. It’s all looks amazing, they had a good look round, great pressures and no sign of the old pericardial effusion today.  When you are told to carry on what you are doing as it’s working and you know you’ve not really done very much at all. Maybe that’s been our winning formula, a normal life, everything in moderation.....except cake and cookies maybe ! 

                             

This my friends is winning the lottery , actually it’s better as health cannot be bought.  I’m so proud of Eloise, she was scared but went through with having the Angio under local. She found it painful and got quite teary but she saw it through . She’s amazing and feels so much better post procedure and no grogginess or nausea. What a complete star she is ⭐️⭐️⭐️ We couldn’t fault the care she has received this day, such lovely nurses and doctors. It’s nearing the end of an era as Eloise will soon be transferring to Papworth so it’s great to end on such a high !

                             

                                 

Winning the Lottery

Monday Night’s thoughts.

“How are you?” 

Me- “ I’m fine, thank you “ said with a beaming smile.

Look closer at that smile it didn’t reach my eyes, my eyes that have felt the prickling of tears that I refused to let out. My anxiety level is pretty high at the moment. Thankfully it’s still being managed, I can hear myself doing the deep breath and sighing thing. I want to run away and escape from my fears for even the briefest of moments. I’m on high alert, I’m prepared to fight and do whatever it takes to get through these next few days. What am I running from ? Reality or just the uncertain part of my reality Eloise’s heart transplant and her over due angiogram. 

         Am I over reacting ? What do you think ? Should I fret before these appointments or just think “what will be, will be”  I’m not stupid I do realise anxiety or no anxiety the outcome of this appointment will be the same. The results will not change and what ever happens I will deal with it. I know I will as past experience has shown me that. Past experience has also taught me to take nothing for granted ! So I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

    So it’s 10.40, I should be asleep but I fear trying to sleep as I know I will lie there having conversations and going through possible scenarios. My panic increases, my mind goes into overdrive . Then I count how much sleep I can potentially get, then I pop to the loo, then I’m thirsty, too hot, too cold , I’m just impossibly restless right now and nighttime is one of my enemies. Im too exhausted physically and mentally to stay awake but I’m too scared to sleep. It’s lonely at night when you’re in the dark. I’m my own inbuilt enemy and I cannot escape from myself, a gagging order for my over active brain please. Perhaps I should try and sleep, tomorrow needs me......

Tuesday’s musings. 

    Sleep, that’s better you came back to me ! Appetite you didn’t falter so I remain fat. I need appetite suppressing 
anxiety really. Let me now confess to making this trip to Gosh even more stressful. We met Rebecca, Eloise’s donor’s mum for an hour. We’d been emailing and she realised she was at Gosh chairing an organ donation meeting on picu. She asked how we would feel about meeting up, I checked with Eloise and she wanted to. I feel I have to be guided by both of them, this is more about their feelings than mine. I didn’t need to have been nervous, we chatted over coffee the most natural of conversations, it just worked and flowed. I’m so proud of Eloise you know that already but she truly is amazing. We walked away from the meeting and Eloise was happy , she just said I’m connected to that lady because of her daughter’s heart. Rebecca emailed me later, she agreed with how natural it all felt, our first born daughters are both at uni, they sound similar. She then said she liked meeting Eloise, “I see what you mean about her being chilled. How lovely is she?” I’m so glad this meeting went so well. 

      The rest of the afternoon comprised of the usual pre Anglo activity, clerking, obs, swabs, ecg, echo......transition chat, you know the kind of thing now.  Sadly, this is sarcasm the Italian Wing transplant accommodation was full so we had to stay in a hotel. Poor, poor us, a triple room, Wi-fi, TV, 
tea and coffee and our own bathroom, whoop, whoop. Good soundproofed windows so we didn’t hear any outside noise, win, win . Those that know the Italian wing will appreciate how wonderful it was to have a good nights sleep in a bed without a covering of plastic. Sleep that wasn’t broken by the early recycling of glass bottles. Small pleasures ! 

     We spent a lovely evening meandering around Piccadilly, and Oxford street, the weather was kind so we took our time. I visited Cath Kidstons flagship store, it’s a beauty, so I was happy. We have two more (un)necessary mugs ! Eloise has two pairs of jeans without holes in them. The “last supper” was spent in Ed’s Diner where we ate far too much but hey we had good reason! 

       

Wednesday arrived......

So we arrived here on Walrus ward at 7.30 knowing Eloise was the second person going to the Cath lab this morning.  Poor thing had to be cannulated on the ward, three attempts, a big bruise and a tearful Eloise later they got one in. She hates cannulas and they always struggle getting one in. The pregnancy test revealed that I’m not going to be a grandma, it always makes us smile. Eloise rocked the gown and stocking look, and looked a treat in her “ f**king ballerina tights” 

    Eloise eventually went to theatre at 10.40 she was introduced to her nurse who’d stay up the head end ! It was strange leaving her awake to walk into theatre. I’ve felt more emotional walking away previously it was nice to see her smile and get a hug before I left her. The wait for news was agonising, you can’t concentrate and constantly clock watch. I fixated on the fact they said an hour where was she it was now an hour and 45 minutes. Then Matt came in her consultant, he was smiling, the fear rushed out of me. Her heart is pristine, better than you’d expect after nearly 16 years. Absolutely no narrowing of the arteries, no swelling. It’s all looks amazing, they had a good look round, great pressures and no sign of the old pericardial effusion today.  When you are told to carry on what you are doing as it’s working and you know you’ve not really done very much at all. Maybe that’s been our winning formula, a normal life, everything in moderation.....except cake and cookies maybe ! This my friends is winning the lottery , actually it’s better as health cannot be bought.  I’m so proud of Eloise, she was scared but went through with having the Angio under local. She found it painful and got quite teary but she saw it through . She’s amazing and feels so much better post procedure and no grogginess or nausea. What a complete star she is ⭐️⭐️⭐️ We couldn’t fault the care she has received this day, such lovely nurses and doctors. It’s nearing the end of an era as Eloise will soon be transferring to Papworth so it’s great to end on such a high !

Never Enough.

                    

    

 Never enough, my chosen title for my latest mutterings. Who else is now belting out that hit "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman ?  Loran Allred you have competition lady ! Seriously though these words are bouncing around in the empty recesses of my brain at the minute so I thought I'd try and write something down. 

People, you have various relationships in your life, mother, partner, work colleague, friend, confidante, child , family member and many , many more.  Some relationships are significant and some are insignificant ( can I say that?) You try so hard to make relationships work, no one likes failing. I like to make people happy and I'll try hard to make people smile. It's also good to make the other person in the relationship proud of you. Then there are relationships where you could bend over backwards ( I physically can't even touch my toes.....) and it still wouldn't be enough. You try and try desperately to please someone and it's still not enough, never enough. . Now it's a bit of a problem a dilemma really not being enough. You just have to decide whether it's your problem or theirs.......Now I'm old and wise(r) I've come to realise it's not my fault. I've accepted that for some people I'll never be good enough.

It's quite sad realising that you'll never be enough for someone but it can also be quite liberating.  If a person is rejecting you and your friendship they are setting you free really to be with someone who accepts you for who you are. I guess this can go for someone who puts you down all the time too. , you realise you can't please them, so you can be brave and set yourself free. No one needs to be controlled emotionally. You can't please everyone, you can't control their expectations of you, you can't control how they view you, you can't control how they judge you. It's all a game and sometimes you have to quit playing it. 

Sometimes we have to take a step back, take some time out, remove ourselves from a situation or relationship to actually focus and see it more clearly. Why do we need to feel accepted ? Why do we put certain people on pedestals ?  Why do we let people judge us ? Why do we allow toxic friendships ? I think if we are all honest we have all been hurt before but those past painful experiences have shaped us into the people we are right now. I know I'm much stronger for it, I've met the right people at the right time. I know I'll always be enough for the core of people I've allowed into my life. They love me and I love them in return, it's a genuine love. I am enough for them, they've seen the struggles I've been through, they know my worth, my strengths , my sadness, my past. Together we can laugh and smile to numb the pain of the difficult days. It's ok for me to admit there are tough days but made easier with the right people next to me. 

You’ll never be good enough because the truth is, you’re more than enough. You’ll always be more than “good enough.”  Look in the mirror and be kind to yourself and say "I am enough."

If this is a karaoke blog post we are now all belting out a floor shaking rendition of "This is Me"  while sticking our finger up at those rejected us for being "Never Enough."  Lots of love Bec xxxx

  

                   

     

Because You Are Worth it.

       

    

Juggling life, multi tasking , all systems go that's me, I thrive on it. I like organising my life and being a mother of four who parents alone I have to be organised. I liked rushing around, I liked being busy, I liked having a full schedule . See the past tense creeping in there ? Well one day I realised I couldn't do it all any more I was burning myself out and no one had noticed. I was over committing to everything and everyone . Why ? Guilt possibly, being a people pleaser, fear, the inability to say no. I guess I allowed some people to take advantage of my kind nature and my time. So I failed and I actually liked it. 

    I now pick my battles, I can say no, I can walk away and I can put my own needs first. I feel free, life is a hell of a lot easier and I feel refreshed. Why do we punish ourselves for actually taking care of ourselves once in a while ? Why are we constantly in a rush, pushing ourselves to breaking point ? This maybe life but is it living ? 

     So I decided I was worthy of some "me time"  I embrace the feeling I get from being on my own at the gym, the time I spend soaking in the bath, the time I spend reading on the sofa etc. I've learnt that as I'm running a home and looking after my children on my own it is super important to take care of ME. I don't have a replacement and I'm on my own. I have no time to burn out, if I neglect myself I will crash and burn, I so nearly did. I used to feel guilty for taking a day to relax, let alone a weekend. Everyone asks you what you've been doing all day, it seems wrong to say nothing, why ? Why do we have to rush around and fill a day ? It's not selfish to want to just chill out, it's not a waste it's necessary. 

                                      

    

  You have to take care of yourself emotionally, it's not just about drinking water and eating leaves ! So slow down, prioritise what's important, celebrate the little successes and deal with sadness rather than hiding it away. A big one is letting go of the past, I struggle with this hugely , I have a lot on replay in my head but I deal with it all now or at least I manage it well. Learning to say NO, this is also huge, I think I've just become better at this with age, quiet nights in are often more appealing than sitting in a pub ! My time is precious so I like to choose who I spend it with and what I do with my time. So just reconnecting with ourselves, replacing fear with trust and letting go of the things we can't cannot control this is self care. Just be yourself, love yourself, embrace your uniqueness this is self care. Stay in the present, live for the moment, give yourself thinking space , this is self care. Be gentle with yourself, now that truly is self care.

Can many of us honestly say that we love ourselves ? Why are we often unhappy with ourselves so often dwelling on our faults ? You wouldn't be so harsh to a friend so why are you so critical of yourself ? You have to learn to love yourself so that you feel worthy and comfortable in your own skin. We all think we are too fat for instance, you're never as big as you think. Besides, since when did a higher body fat percentage have any bearing on what makes you a quality human being ! Appreciate your body and what it can do, basically I go to the gym as its good for my soul and not just the way it potentially could make me look if I stopped eating cake. Let's be happy being practically perfect rather that always trying to achieve perfection. Just be kind to yourself , it's one of the best things you can do for yourself.Just try and be happy as you'll feel more deserving if your self esteem improves. Celebrate who you are. I have so many wonderful friends who don't realise how amazing they are and how valuable they are to me. They cannot see what I see so maybe I need to tell them more frequently ? Also don't beat yourself up when things don't go to plan, be kind to yourself. 

To me being mentally strong helps me to handle the challenges my life often decides to throw at me. It always seems to be all or nothing here ! I try to recover as quickly as I can from these "set backs " often by self preservation. So I may retreat a bit from real life and social media, I'll take more baths, I'll swim and you'll probably see a blog post pop up, ta, da !!!! All these things work for me, so I do recommend finding your own coping strategies for dealing with stress. I'm lucky in that I'm an optimistic person, I prefer the bright side so I think that always helps me too. 

I guess part of the struggle is when does self care become selfish ? Why is it wrong to focus on your own needs, desires, feelings and opinions ? Why is this perceived as selfish ? In my opinion this is my life to use as I want to, selfishness is about a lack of consideration for other people this isn't the same as a healthy self esteem through self care. For me looking after number one has given me the mental resources I need to reach out to my friends and those I support in life without leaving myself drained.

                                         

So I give you all permission to just be you and take some down time whenever you feel over whelmed. Life will otherwise chew you up and spit you out. So relax once in a while without guilt, go on you're worth it . 

Dedicated to some beautiful souls that I'm privileged to have as my friends, who don't recognise their own worth, I love you .

         Bec xxxxxx

             

Self Preservation

Self Preservation

                                           

      

It's started the knotted stomach, the painful cramps, the insomnia, the need to be alone and the deep breathing. The countdown anxiety started on Saturday evening, completely out of the blue as I'd just had a wonderful night away watching a very sparkly Strictly Come Dancing Tour . Then bang the worries arrived. Sunday was pretty busy so not too much time for me to dwell or overthink. I tried to fill the evening too with a leisurely bath. Water always soothes me, bubbles, scented candles and music. It's a go to when I'm feeling unsettled, I can lock everything and everybody out. BBC1 kindly started a series of my most favourite programme Call the Midwife so I lost myself in that for an hour too. It's the only programme that gets my attention 100%. I then read, I've made sure I have a few Chick Lit easy reading books loaded onto my Kindle so more escapism. My sleep is very broken, I'm waking up every hour or so but at the moment the episodes of being awake are quite short. I really hope it stays like this as being awake for hours on end allows too much overthinking to occur. It's very lonely being awake while everyone else sleeps. I've been at work today so that's pushed my anxieties slightly further back into my head. I've been busy since I returned home too until now. So I thought I'd start getting a few words down as that usually helps me too. My stomach feels sore and I'm breathing deeply but really I'm not doing too badly but I've still got time.........

   Tuesday has arrived with a vengeance as my boy innocently said he wouldn't want to be Eloise while we were walking to breakfast club today. I immediately thought he'd say because she has to take pills as he'd just been given cough medicine. My second guess was the hospital tests but no I'd have coped with both of those. He wouldn't want to be Eloise as her transplant friends are dead. Bang !!!!! Obviously many of her transplanted friends are very much alive but sadly the two girls that had rejection episodes at the same time as Eloise both died. After I've dropped Henry off , I carry on into work. I'm in the street walking along blinking away tears that are forming on my eyelashes, I brush them away for once grateful that my eyes have been watering in the wind over the past couple of weeks. It's no longer an inconvenience it's now a disguise. The happy face is on. I messaged my best friend straight away and got the support and kind words I needed.  I'm so lucky to have such a rock who I trust with all my thoughts and feelings. Today's self care has included a much needed trip to the gym. I lost myself in music and pushed myself as hard as I could. Physical pain is easier to cope with, a sore muscle will soon heal. Emotional pain is much harder to deal with but I try and succeed. Now a quiet evening is needed, I need to be alone as much as possible. I find I'm quite prickly when I'm tense like this and leaving me be is better all round ! I don't want to explain why I'm wound up as saying it out loud makes it real. It's strange how I can provide support for quite a few people in and out of the Transplant support group and I have many wise words to share but I prefer to be quiet. I like to deal with things mainly on my own with my safety net friend in the background so I can concentrate and not spend time updating everyone on social media. 

              

   

    Wednesday so much to do ready for our trip to London and my mum taking over the reins at home . Yet I chose another session at the gym, the right decision ? Very much so, I won't be going for the next couple of days so to miss another of my regular days wouldn't be a good thing mentally. Happy hormones, sweat, deep breathing, losing myself to muscular pain and being anonymous. I worked hard in my limited time and that felt good. On returning home I ran around my home cleaning and tidying. The best part, taking the blocked Dyson to bits and fixing it ! They are so great to dismantle , I think mine had eaten too many pine needles and maybe some coal. I was too busy to think and that's a great thing.

Ok so here is where I confess to why I'm feeling this way, it's time for Eloise's transplant annual review. I no longer take these appointments for granted,  I can't over share on Facebook, not that it'll jinx anything. It's just so hard that Eloise needs such invasive tests to see how her heart is doing. To me she looks fantastic at the moment, she says she feels well and she's told me she's really happy. I wish that was all we needed to know but to know for sure a coronary angiogram is needed . The coronary arteries show the first sign of chronic rejection, it's like hardening of the arteries but this kind is transplant specific. It's awful relying on tests and other people to give you the reassurance that your child is ok......for now. It's never ending.

At 1 pm we are on the train to London, at 4pm we are settled into the transplant flat. The lady in the Family Services office asked if we knew where it was. 15.5 years of staying in The Italian Wing, we've stayed in every bedroom of the four flats. We are allocated flat 1, the first flat we stayed in when Eloise was transferred from the Freeman. I looked out at the view of the square, I wonder how many times I've stared at those trees? Will this be our last stay ? Thankfully the rain eased off so we walked around Leicester Square, Piccadily Circus and Covent Garden. We laughed a lot and enjoyed each other's company over dinner at TGI's. I don't spend enough quality time with Eloise, she's quite solitary and undemanding of my attention. So I'm glad I persuaded her to come out this evening.

                          

Thursday, It's 6.40 and I'm awake, the bedroom was so hot last night so we slept with the window open. London wakes up early so it's already noisy outside. I'll always associate staying here with huge crates of bottles being recycled ! Plus the plastic on plastic bedding, plastic mattress, pillow covers and quilt. I hope this flat has a powerful shower ! The bed on wheels on laminate flooring also provides many comic Miranda like moments ! The conversations have started in my head, things I need to discuss with the transplant team. Will I even get the opportunity ? This is what frustrates me, it's so hard to get anything organised or get an answer from anyone. You get more notice about the Christmas party than a Transition Day. I know we will be hanging around Gosh all day with huge gaps of wasted time, time to fill with anxious thoughts. At least one test is scheduled for 3pm as I keep receiving texts. We have to be on Bear Ward at 10am, hence why we travelled here yesterday. Let's see how promptly we are seen. It'll be impossible to find distractions today, not many coping mechanisms can be brought into action here. I'll just have to do my best and carry on, best of British .

    It was just as I thought , arrived at 10am, first seen at 10.50, then by 1pm we'd been seen by two nurses and two doctors. So a quick lunch break before going to Walrus for Eloise's tests at 2pm. These started at 2.50pm and ended at 4.30pm. I left Eloise to it and tried really hard to concentrate on my Cecelia Ahern book. My stomach was in knots as she was gone so long, I felt awful and kept looking up hoping to see her. Apparently the person who did the first echo didn't press hard enough so the images were poor. Men you are so lucky that your heart isn't covered by a boob ! So echo, ECG, exercise tolerance test all performed. Poor Eloise's knees gave out before her heart on the exercise bike. So we leave the department with Eloise's new friend the 24 hour B/P machine. Then the phone call came........Eloise's angio was cancelled. There was a failure with a vital piece of equipment in the cath lab . The engineer had tried to fix it but to no avail. Such a huge come down, a crash of emotions, just so frustrating. Poor Eloise was so prepared mentally as she was having the angio awake without any sedation if she could cope with it. 

   So we've had the huge build up, Eloise has had her tests but we've had no results as we never saw a transplant consultant. So we've had no reassurance, no post appointment euphoria, no relief, no huge smiles. Just nothing but the knowledge we will have to do it all over again, but when ? I was going to delete this blog post but I think it goes to show how things really are when we go to these appointments. 

To my rock who taught me the importance of gym therapy .