After a few hours of monitoring, it was agreed that Billy needed to stay in until the team could reduce the swelling within his stomach. A porter came to collect us and we started to walk through a series of corridors from A&E to the main hospital, if you had asked me to find my… Read more: Flashbacks Part 2 of 2

A couple of Thursdays ago on the way home from the planetarium, I relived a faded memory. The sort of memory you hide away to save yourself from reliving the distress. This was triggered by a vivid blue flashing light which appeared out of the dip of the 2 hills on the opposite side of… Read more: Flashbacks Part 1 of 2

At times life throws you little bumps in the road, to remind you of where you are sitting in life at any given moment. Sometimes these temporary setbacks appear to remind you of your past and the strength you have. It also shows you how far you have come, or unearths areas you need to… Read more: Bumps In the Road-Blood Taking

  Today I cried out of frustration and anger, this doesn’t happen often but at times it is a reality. Who would have thought my arch-nemesis would be the pharmacy. The ordering and collection of needed meds drives me insane. To the point I try to alleviate this stress by having a little reserve stock… Read more: Medication

For many the start of Advent is the first indication of Christmas. This 4-week season represents love, hope, joy, thanks giving, and community. For many this slow build up to the Christmas followed by New Year, allows for personal reflection. In some ways this slow approach allows the mundane acts of life to be blown… Read more: Christmas- The Fear That Makes You Thankful

I love food,    bacon sarnies,        muesli and yogurt,            fresh bread and butter,                 marmite,                     over the top salads,                         fish and chips,                              meats,                                   egg pie,                                       soup,                                            Sunday roasts,                                                veggies,                                                    chilli and rice,                                                         curry,                                                             pastry,                                                                fruit bread,                                                                  and a good homemade seasonal… Read more: Food Glorious Food

12 years ago on the 20th December, Alec and I stepped through a very special door. The door to our very first home together. This quaint 2 up 2 down, started life as a worker’s cottage. It’s modest features echoed happiness, nothing to grand, but all perfectly formed. After a year, we grew our family… Read more: Where Life Started

Woken up by the noise of the dog, huffing loudly and chucking himself on the hallway floor. Checking in, just in case we had forgot about him. As, I lie there listening to Alec getting ready to take the dog. I wonder why I’m so tired, then I remember I’m 42 and menopausal. Then my… Read more: Morning Billy

Over the years I have watched you in awe, or maybe in fasciation. From your first tiny movements, the smiles, your ability to except your fate. All traits that have moulded you, into you. Some of these characteristics I have seen before within your genetic gene pool, but others are unique to you. Your ability… Read more: Organ Donation Week 2024- Guardian Angel

With one day to go until this years Transplant Games, I thought I would share the extract I wrote for Billy’s JustGiving page. This piece has been written from a child’s point of view and highlights the constant struggles an individual has with a life threatening illness. It’s a little different, but well worth a… Read more: Transplant Games- 2024

It is the 5th of December and Chickenpox is still having a party at Billy’s school, especially within his class. I will give you a little insight to the last couple of weeks antics. On the 15th I emailed the local hospital and Billy’s centre of excellence for guidance on the current situation. Advice given…………………………..… Read more: Chickenpox Saga- Part 2

In the month of June there is an annual campaign called Carers Week, this week raises awareness of the unsung heroes within our community. This week is there to highlight the many challenges they face, often on their own behind the hidden doors called their family homes. These heroes are often unpaid or if they… Read more: Carers Week- 10th-16th June

For some play is a luxury, as for others it is essential. This hidden gem promotes resilience, creativity, and innovation. It also helps build relationships, improves control, and feeds the problem-solving part of the brain. Overall, it lays the foundations within child development, physically and cognitively. Without this amazing free gift, children would struggle to… Read more: International Day of Play!

November 2023 In the transplanted world, chickenpox is a word to be feared. Believe it or not, this common viral illness requires highlighting as 1 of the big 3 within this hidden world. The other 2 are, Cold Sores and Bacterial Overgrowth. These 3 illnesses are so over talked about straight after transplant, that the… Read more: The Chickenpox Saga- Part 1

On many occasions I have shared that my preferred stance is prepared, but sometimes a surprise can appear. Back at the beginning of February 2024 I got a monumental surprise, one I certainly wasn’t looking for. After routine bloods, I received a phone call from my favourite number 4980, Southampton General Hospital. I know the… Read more: Addison’s Disease

Our Liver journey started on the 24th October 2017 with a simple blood test at the local hospital. Billy was 18 days old and life was bliss before this moment, except that half of our house had been demolished for an extension.   A couple of days earlier our beautiful Health Visitor had arrived on… Read more: Billy’s Liver Journey – Part 1

As I sit at my trusted work horse, sipping coffee and looking at this morning’s stats. A memory flashed up; a picture. A picture that brought up instant deep emotions. A picture that I instantly knew the date, the interaction, and the feelings I felt in the moment vividly. 10.04.2021    First outing after isolation     Joy,… Read more: Covid- Second stage of integration

Is a word that most people know and in some ways it is more famous than The Royals. This word doesn’t need any marketing or any encouragement to be known. Most people try not to think about it, but for most, it’s hard to ignore. Its definitely a word you wouldn’t want associated directly with… Read more: Cancer

Yesterday, I felt triumphant, smug and a little childish with the sentence                                ‘I told you so’ Over the years Clinic appointments have become a part time hobby for Billy and I. With Billy having so many different teams, we have become regular social butterflies within the hospital. To be honest, Billy has always been… Read more: Appointments, pleasure, or a chore?

Yellow is a colour of happiness, positivity, and optimism This striking colour reflects new life within nature From daffodils, chicks, and the new beating sun in the spring A happy time of year that depicts hope and new beginnings, all in the name of yellow. But, for some, Yellow is not a sign of hope,… Read more: Yellow

When you join any community the reason you are there is due to you having a particular characteristic in common, interest or in wider terms you live in the same area. This can create a great sense of similarity, belonging, purpose and even fond likeness for others within the group. That may under normal circumstances… Read more: Feeling Other People’s Losses