My good friend Rachael Wakefield got her lung transplant on Wednesday. She got off the ventilator today but had to go back on it again. She needs your thoughts more than ever at the minute
Keep strong Rach, we're all behind you xx
Friday, 12 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Keeping up Appearances
I'm a bad blogger. *Slaps Wrists* Since my last blog not a lot has happened. I've managed to get properly back to college. I've had a clinic appointment and even tidied my room along the way, although it didn't stay like that. Oh and me and Chris went to Torquay for the weekend!
I'm well pleased at being able to get back to college. I've managed two full days at college so far this week and I would love to manage a full week, it would be the first completely full week I've managed since September. I do enjoy college though, so I'm happy enough.
Clinic was interesting... Let's just say I'm not entirely sure what the hospitals long term plan is. They seem to think I'll get Xolair but my levels aren't right apparently and because they can't get a decent skin prick result off me because of my anti-depressants, we'll see what happens. It's not something that's going to happen overnight anyway because a lot of things need checked. i.e my compliance with meds.
Torquay was good fun. I really needed a weekend away and I got to spend some proper time with Chris and we got to sort a lot of things out. I came back a lot more chilled and so did he. We both really needed it. The hotel was really nice and wasn't very expensive so I'm pleased! It had a heated indoor pool, gym and the room was really nice. It was all good fun and I'm happy enough.
And even better is my lungs are semi behaving! I got a peak flow of 400 this morning! It's all good!
I'm well pleased at being able to get back to college. I've managed two full days at college so far this week and I would love to manage a full week, it would be the first completely full week I've managed since September. I do enjoy college though, so I'm happy enough.
Clinic was interesting... Let's just say I'm not entirely sure what the hospitals long term plan is. They seem to think I'll get Xolair but my levels aren't right apparently and because they can't get a decent skin prick result off me because of my anti-depressants, we'll see what happens. It's not something that's going to happen overnight anyway because a lot of things need checked. i.e my compliance with meds.
Torquay was good fun. I really needed a weekend away and I got to spend some proper time with Chris and we got to sort a lot of things out. I came back a lot more chilled and so did he. We both really needed it. The hotel was really nice and wasn't very expensive so I'm pleased! It had a heated indoor pool, gym and the room was really nice. It was all good fun and I'm happy enough.
And even better is my lungs are semi behaving! I got a peak flow of 400 this morning! It's all good!
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Out of the Zoological Society of UHL
Well, they moved me to the other hospital. And low and behold I splatted on the way. I told them. I told them I don't like being moved when I'm unstable, but hey. What do I know? They're only my lungs after all. I'm not very happy with the way I was treated this time. They kept me there a lot longer than I needed to be. I'm the first person to admit when I need to be in hospital, but this time there was just no need. To be honest I think it's about time I argued my case for home nebs. Because this is getting ridiculous. Had I have had home nebs I would've been home a long time ago. They also said on my discharge letter that I discharged myself, was admitted because of "Foolish Behaviour" and went "Against Medical Advice" so I'm going to be having major words with my consultant about how his junior doctors write their damned discharge letters.
I think this time I've learnt a lot about how I need to speak to doctors. Normally I'm quite "Well if you say so" but from now on I'm going to have to start being more assertive. Nothing will ever get done if I sit back and say "Well if you say so" which was part of the reason I was in for 15 days. It's not fun. Specially when you're on a ward with a woman whose NIV makes farting noises and keeps you up all night so you don't get a proper nights sleep for 4 days. How they expect you to rest is beyond me.
I'm starting to accept my asthma is more severe than it was this time last year. I've gone from having a peak flow averaging around 500 to getting at the highest 400 and that was on an altered peak flow meter so I could get out of hospital. I don't want to admit it but I'm going to have to start making a few changes to my lifestyle. I won't be able to go on Red Cross duties where I know I'm going to be sitting outside all day, I won't be able to go running as much as I might like. Although when I get a bit more money I'm tempted to join the gym because at least then I'm not running in the cold. The question now is though, where do I go from here? They're talking about a trial drug called Xolair which is something they're looking to see if I'm eligable for. Also I think until I get Xolair, home nebs is something I'm going to have to push for because an admission a month just isn't fair. Prof has suggested it, but I don't think he's very keen. But we'll see, I'm in clinic on Monday. Even if it's only a temporary thing until he gets me under control again.
Anyway, I'll leave you with a few pics of me and the drugs I take on a day to day basis etc.
Even in hospital I manage a smile :)
Sats and heartrate where playing silly buggers on 10L. We weren't amused.
Daily Drugs of an Asthmatic
I think this time I've learnt a lot about how I need to speak to doctors. Normally I'm quite "Well if you say so" but from now on I'm going to have to start being more assertive. Nothing will ever get done if I sit back and say "Well if you say so" which was part of the reason I was in for 15 days. It's not fun. Specially when you're on a ward with a woman whose NIV makes farting noises and keeps you up all night so you don't get a proper nights sleep for 4 days. How they expect you to rest is beyond me.
I'm starting to accept my asthma is more severe than it was this time last year. I've gone from having a peak flow averaging around 500 to getting at the highest 400 and that was on an altered peak flow meter so I could get out of hospital. I don't want to admit it but I'm going to have to start making a few changes to my lifestyle. I won't be able to go on Red Cross duties where I know I'm going to be sitting outside all day, I won't be able to go running as much as I might like. Although when I get a bit more money I'm tempted to join the gym because at least then I'm not running in the cold. The question now is though, where do I go from here? They're talking about a trial drug called Xolair which is something they're looking to see if I'm eligable for. Also I think until I get Xolair, home nebs is something I'm going to have to push for because an admission a month just isn't fair. Prof has suggested it, but I don't think he's very keen. But we'll see, I'm in clinic on Monday. Even if it's only a temporary thing until he gets me under control again.
Anyway, I'll leave you with a few pics of me and the drugs I take on a day to day basis etc.
Even in hospital I manage a smile :)
Sats and heartrate where playing silly buggers on 10L. We weren't amused.
Daily Drugs of an Asthmatic
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Hospital
Well, it didn't last. My good lung streak finally came to an end and I type this from my hospital bed a very unhappy girl. Had the attack last friday and am still in with no hope of home until at least Saturday. Getting a bit bored of all of this now. I may do 12 of 12 tomorrow of a day in the life of a hospital patient lol. That's if I manage to stay awake all day. Right now sleeping is always seeming to be the best plan.
Oh god, the woman next to me has gone off on one. She's a detoxing alcoholic and given my past I'm a bit weary of having her around. She was that bad last night they had security in here holding her down most of the night. It freaked me out.
I'm a bit pissed off, they don't seem to be doing a lot to get me better. I seem to be as good as I was about 4 days ago when I had that bad attack. But I don't really have very good sats on oxygen so they don't really know where to go from here. They want to transfer me to another hospital but they don't really know whether I'd end up in a worse state when I arrived as a pose to when I left so they're not exactly very willing to transfer me atm. Spec because I'm needing so much oxygen to keep my sats up. It's well annoying, but we'll see what the doctors have to say in the morning when I see them.
Oh god, the woman next to me has gone off on one. She's a detoxing alcoholic and given my past I'm a bit weary of having her around. She was that bad last night they had security in here holding her down most of the night. It freaked me out.
I'm a bit pissed off, they don't seem to be doing a lot to get me better. I seem to be as good as I was about 4 days ago when I had that bad attack. But I don't really have very good sats on oxygen so they don't really know where to go from here. They want to transfer me to another hospital but they don't really know whether I'd end up in a worse state when I arrived as a pose to when I left so they're not exactly very willing to transfer me atm. Spec because I'm needing so much oxygen to keep my sats up. It's well annoying, but we'll see what the doctors have to say in the morning when I see them.
Monday, 1 February 2010
Well, Yesterday was my one year of living in England mark. I was ok all day, because I spent it with Chris and we went for sunday lunch and went bowling and stuff, but in typical Vicky fashion the nights got to me the most and I ended up in a heap last night sobbing to Chris. I am more upset at my family not caring to be honest. Not once since my last admission has my mum rang to see how I am or anything. It's annoying and it's not making me a very nice person because I'm constantly thinking about it, and as a result I'm being a cow to Chris and he doesn't deserve it.
I'm in the middle of my mocks in college. It's a nightmare. Because I've missed so much time I'm struggling to learn everything. I had chemistry today. It was fine up until the last question which was the bit I hadn't had a chance to look over, so whether or not I've passed it is another story. I've biology tomorrow and I'm feeling reasonably confident about that. I've been doing a lot of revision for it so hopefully I'm not completely screwed.
Anyway, this is like a day in the life thing. I thought it would be a good idea to show you what I get up to on a day to day basis.
Morning drugs! Don't say it's too dark, it was 7am. I was half asleep lol
Biology Revision in college. I was the last one to leave the library lol
What we were doing in chemistry today after our mock lol. Needless to say the lungs didn't agree, but it was pretty to look at!
Dinner! Spaghetti Hoops on Toast! Fantastic food!
Brain food, and brain mush. All in one.
Bought a new puffapouch for my inhaler today!
My pile of washing is getting a bit silly now...
Chris bought me a load of stuff from Paperchase today, and I bought a new wallet because my old one just was going to give up on me at any moment. But £12.12 for all the stationary wasn't bad!
My drugs drawer! There's no atrovent or ventolin in there at the minute, that's in my college rucksack. I take every one of those drugs every day, except for the random amoxicillian.
And finally into my bed!
I'm in the middle of my mocks in college. It's a nightmare. Because I've missed so much time I'm struggling to learn everything. I had chemistry today. It was fine up until the last question which was the bit I hadn't had a chance to look over, so whether or not I've passed it is another story. I've biology tomorrow and I'm feeling reasonably confident about that. I've been doing a lot of revision for it so hopefully I'm not completely screwed.
Anyway, this is like a day in the life thing. I thought it would be a good idea to show you what I get up to on a day to day basis.
Morning drugs! Don't say it's too dark, it was 7am. I was half asleep lol
Biology Revision in college. I was the last one to leave the library lol
What we were doing in chemistry today after our mock lol. Needless to say the lungs didn't agree, but it was pretty to look at!
Dinner! Spaghetti Hoops on Toast! Fantastic food!
Brain food, and brain mush. All in one.
Bought a new puffapouch for my inhaler today!
My pile of washing is getting a bit silly now...
Chris bought me a load of stuff from Paperchase today, and I bought a new wallet because my old one just was going to give up on me at any moment. But £12.12 for all the stationary wasn't bad!
My drugs drawer! There's no atrovent or ventolin in there at the minute, that's in my college rucksack. I take every one of those drugs every day, except for the random amoxicillian.
And finally into my bed!
Friday, 29 January 2010
2009 in a nutshell
Well, Seeing as I've been a rubbish blogger and really can't be arsed doing a big feck off blogpost, I thought I'd do like an in a nutshell thing of 2009!
January
I had the row with James that changed everything, and moved to England on the 31st January 2009!
February
I started learning how to do things reasonably for myself. I still had Emma and Alison to help, but I did some of it on my own. I got the income support and stuff started. Don died so I had to go back to Ireland for a few days.
March
Went back to Ireland for a few days to see family.
September *done a skip, not much happened for 6 months! :P*
My 18th! And I started college again. I went back to Ireland for a few days after my 18th and started my GCSE course at college.
October
Moved into my own place! Started going out with Chris and learned how to use a washing machine!
November
Ended up in hospital with my asthma. Everything started going downhill with college attendance.
December
Christmas! Ended up in hospital again a few days before I went to Ireland which was annoying. Went back to Ireland and learned exactly why I left. Stupid stepdad ruining everything.
January
Backk from Ireland for 4 days, and yep you guessed it, back in hospital. But this time in a different one, so was seen by a reasonable doctor and managed to snag a side room. Result! Started being seen by a specialist center and things have started looking up on the asthma front. Had my first huge money worry when I didn't have enough money to pay my rent, but got that sorted!
I think in the past year I've changed a lot. I have had to learn to do a lot for myself and I think it's made me a much more mature person than I was. I've started to learn when I need to ask for help which is a huge deal for me. Getting a proper boyfriend and making the relationship last more than a week was a big deal for me aswell. Chris is fantastic and I wouldn't have been able to do the past few months without him. The past 12 months has taught me that I need my friends more than I thought. Because sometimes your family can let you down. It's when that happens that your true friends show who they are, and for the people that have stuck by me, I'll never forget you.
Friday, 4 December 2009
Long time no blog.
Today is now Friday. In my eyes it's still Thursday. Does that give you some kind of indication just how screwed up my sleep patterns are? I'm meant to be in college in 4 hours. I think the term is "I'm Screwed." Just thought that would make for an interesting start!
It's been a bit of a shit November. I know I posted on the 20th, but it was a bit of a rubbish post if I'm honest, so I'd better fill people in on what's actually happening in my life. In a month I left where I was living, moved into a house with 5 other people, been in hospital with my asthma and been faced with a disciplinery in college. It's all going a bit pear shaped at the minute!
First of all, Moving out! Well the fight that had been coming between me and Emz finally happened. I think it had been coming for a while. It just wasn't meant to work out I don't think. Me and her mum were never going to see eye to eye. I got major pissed off though when her mum accused me of breaking her laptop. I nearly screamed at her. So the outcome of that one was that my grandparents bought her another one. But I moved into a big house with 5 other people. My room's quite small, but I like it. It's a nightmare to keep tidy though lol and I'm having to learn how to use a washing machine which is always fun considering I've done my own washing about 4 times in my life. But I'm getting there, slowly but surely I'm learning that I'm not as immature as people see me.
So yea, hospital lol. I think it had been building up, and I probably should've gone in sooner, because my sats were to be honest, shit lol. They did two Arterial Blood Gases, which incase you don't know, hurt like hell. They left me with the worlds most impressive bruises. I stayed in for 2 nights and then got home. I wasn't very happy though that I wasn't able to bounce straight back to doing everything that I wanted to, i.e college. I see Emz and wonder why I can't do what she does and just go straight back to full health after being in hospital. It's shit, and it took a lot for me to just sit in bed and rest. Anyone that knows me knows how hard it is for me to be calm. Having to ask for help was a fucking nightmare for me, and I plan on not having to do it again.
This week has been a bit shit. My asthma was playing havoc for 2 days, so was off college. Went in on wednesday then on Wednesday night/Thursday morning started vomiting so was off Thursday. Today is going to be fun considering I've had no sleep. I've got a meeting tomorrow night with the youth club I volunteer at then I'm coming home and going to bed. I'm on duty on Saturday, at a Christmas meal on Sat Night, then on duty again on Sunday morning, so it's going to be a fun weekend!
It's all good though, because my dearest boyfriend is going to be there! :D
It's been a bit of a shit November. I know I posted on the 20th, but it was a bit of a rubbish post if I'm honest, so I'd better fill people in on what's actually happening in my life. In a month I left where I was living, moved into a house with 5 other people, been in hospital with my asthma and been faced with a disciplinery in college. It's all going a bit pear shaped at the minute!
First of all, Moving out! Well the fight that had been coming between me and Emz finally happened. I think it had been coming for a while. It just wasn't meant to work out I don't think. Me and her mum were never going to see eye to eye. I got major pissed off though when her mum accused me of breaking her laptop. I nearly screamed at her. So the outcome of that one was that my grandparents bought her another one. But I moved into a big house with 5 other people. My room's quite small, but I like it. It's a nightmare to keep tidy though lol and I'm having to learn how to use a washing machine which is always fun considering I've done my own washing about 4 times in my life. But I'm getting there, slowly but surely I'm learning that I'm not as immature as people see me.
So yea, hospital lol. I think it had been building up, and I probably should've gone in sooner, because my sats were to be honest, shit lol. They did two Arterial Blood Gases, which incase you don't know, hurt like hell. They left me with the worlds most impressive bruises. I stayed in for 2 nights and then got home. I wasn't very happy though that I wasn't able to bounce straight back to doing everything that I wanted to, i.e college. I see Emz and wonder why I can't do what she does and just go straight back to full health after being in hospital. It's shit, and it took a lot for me to just sit in bed and rest. Anyone that knows me knows how hard it is for me to be calm. Having to ask for help was a fucking nightmare for me, and I plan on not having to do it again.
This week has been a bit shit. My asthma was playing havoc for 2 days, so was off college. Went in on wednesday then on Wednesday night/Thursday morning started vomiting so was off Thursday. Today is going to be fun considering I've had no sleep. I've got a meeting tomorrow night with the youth club I volunteer at then I'm coming home and going to bed. I'm on duty on Saturday, at a Christmas meal on Sat Night, then on duty again on Sunday morning, so it's going to be a fun weekend!
It's all good though, because my dearest boyfriend is going to be there! :D
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