Saturday

What happened to Saturday???

Yes, it's a cheap and lazy way to avoid doing a blog.

Driving 10/10!

I have finished my driving lessons! I didn't even do too badly today at all. A really nice double-decker-bus driver stopped the traffic so I could pull out which was really sound. My passionate driving instructor cursed every second word as per usual but in a nice way. It wasn't vulgar and she did it very naturally. She even 'flicked' the driver behind for being impatient. How kind.

I forgot to photocopy my driving license for my insurance form - d'oh! So there shall be an even longer delay in getting my car. Needless to say I'm not impressed. I really need to get myself a personal assistant to do these things for me. I'm an incredibly busy, busy person who doesn't have time (or sufficient memory cells) to remember to do these petty things.

And in 'all other business' it turns out there was a thing on me in the Examiner Newspaper today. I say 'turns out' as though I'm surprised but actually I knew about it but wasn't sure of the day it would appear. And by 'thing on me' I really mean interview. It was very factual and not a 'pulling at the heart strings' article which I'm delighted about. The photo isn't half bad either. I would have scanned it to show but to be frank, I'm just to lazy.

And busy (see paragraph two). Lazy and busy.

Me and Brendan Kilkenny:

Tonight I went to the Spring Concert in my old school. Basically it's a concert organised by fifth year students to raise money for the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in September. It's a variety show with a variety of acts from the various years. And it's on in Spring.

It was actually hilarious! The compares were those two from Little Britain (not the actual two obviously, but students pretending to be), you know, the bald and retarded one in the wheelchair, and the other lanky one in the jacket. I'm not a fan of the show AT.ALL. In fact I actively turn off the channel if they're on. But these two, my were they funny! They had other skits too, which were equally funny. There was raunchy dancing, and some piano music. The piano was perhaps the only part that wasn't so 'varied'. In fact after the third depressing ballad you wanted to scream 'no more, NO MORE!'...that or slit your wrists.

I had my ninth of ten driving lessons today. There were two hands on the wheel for the most part today which is always a good sign. I don't like it when there are THREE. My car should be arriving next week much to my delight. We just must wait for my car insurance to come through.

Yes these mad things are willing to insure a 19year old, provisional driver whose hobbies include Diabetes, Cystic Fibrosis and double lung transplants. And who can't quite master the art of driving yet. Nice.

Myself and Mr Tubridy:
There were better ones of both of us, but could either of us manage a good smile, while looking at the (my) camera and at the. same. time? Of course not. Purleaze.

Today was a day off work. I didn't feel super and ended up sleeping most of it. I got up for Home and Away and Neighbours and for some food but then went to have a bath. After my bath it was back to bed. I felt SOOOO tired.

I watched the Apprentice (UK - no orange faces and dodgy looking toupees here) opening episode. It was good, but my goodness the descions made were ridiculous. The guy who got 'You're Fired'-ed looks really really like a guy in my office. I'm talking 'Hey, [guy in office] never told me he was going to be on TV!" similar. I won't tell him that though.

"Wow, well *this* is a big chart for someone who looks as healthy as you do! Did you have some childhood illness or something?" - New GP today. *smile*

A perk: I waltzed into my GP today for the first time in...a long time.... to make an appointment. My GP's is by appointment only. The receptionist was VERY busy and asked me shortly the purpose of my visit. Clearly being a bit of a nuisance I told her my reasons -needed to see doctor about getting referral letter and just to chat about misc. She sighed and wrote down my details and the minute I gave my name her face changed. She was warm and friendly and saying how she remembers me (I have a BAD memory!) and then whispered that she could fit me in to see the doctor now if I wanted. How is THAT for customer service! Finally I am reaping the benefits of popping in and out of that place like a (sick) YOYO for years! It's like a Tesco reward scheme...except I still get charged full whack.

The doc was fab and went WELL out of her way to do loads for me - photocopying, looking up meds, and getting me phone numbers. Who knew that the Blackrock Clinic offered FIVE dermatologists?! It's like a catalogue!

Now to get my face sorted. Thanks to steroids, toxic medications, and being 19, my skin is B.A.D. I'm done spending money on MAC. Enough covering up, I want nice skin again!!

-Dinner tonight. Weight is up. Sugars not too bad. I woke up with a '5.7' today which was really good.

ORGAN DONATION WEEK 2007!

I don't have much recollection of this annual event before last year. I was patiently awaiting my new lungs this time last year, and was willing to speak openly about the lack of donors and the importance of same. Which I did.

Today Organ Donation Week officially kicked off in the Mansion House with a speeches and appearances by Ryan Tubridy and Mary Harney (minister of health). I popped along since I had finished my work nice and early. I then got ROPED in to having photos taken, which I didn't really mind as it was for good cause but I was still unprepared. (See yesterday's post about unphotogenic-ness!!).

I had a chat with Mr. Tubridy and said hello to Mary. I met Mary a few years ago and because I am so stunningly beautiful these days compared to then, she didn't have a blue blazons who the heck I was. Yes that's what I'm telling myself...

The speeches were 'interesting'. I don't know what holiday homes for patients on dialysis and the need for funding from the government has to do with ORGAN DONATION though.

...Did I mention the Kidney association organised this event though? And did I mention that Mr. Tubs was under contract to have his photos taken with the kidney association? With all this politics, thank goodness Mary was there to referee it all!!

When I received a text message from a former school friend yesterday, I initially thought it was a joke. I then *prayed* it was a joke. But alas, no. Following a further few texts, and confirmation from my brother's gf, I was resigned to the fact that, yes, it was true.

My image is in April's Photo magazine....Oh wait, no. My photo is in April's Image magazine.

It was one taken at the Cystic Fibrosis Ball back in February. I am NOT a photogenic person when told to smile. I sort of freeze up and then don't know what to do, I wish I had a mirror handy so I could look at myself but ind stead end up looking like a plank!

Anyway, needless to say there are now three or four issues of Image hanging about at our house. Goodness knows, having one issue with a teeny photo of me to look at isn't enough. NO, no, its best to have three, because if any visitor calls to the door, we can all have a copy!!

Sitting On Babies

That's pretty much what I did this evening. Unpaid of course, because my sister needs the money more. She in fact needs to fix my watch that she smashed. She claims she has no money. Tomorrow she'll say she hasn't time. (Time-watch, geddit??!)

While playing 'school' the five year old packed up her bag and declared:
"I'm sorry, I have to go. My grandfather needs me, he is ill".....Uhh, okay...

When she returned the three year old declared:
"I sowey, I have ta go. My gwan-fawtha needs me! He's sick"....Well *thats* original!

She returned shortly after, informing me that she told her 'gwan-fawtha' she needed to go to school. Brains on that one.

The discipling in this 'school' turned a went a bit mad, mostly consisting of everyone screaming and shouting and running around. The ten year old then produced a gun, which also had little effect. Probably because it wasn't real (obviously).

All were put to bed with ease, the three year old then fell out of the bed. *plonk*. I put her back in. *plonk*. I watched TV (Shawshank Redemption) and then came home. AND now the hours have gone forward so I'm losing an hour sleep, but I don't know what to do with my timed medication - they never warned us about this in the transplant bible guide!! Why didn't someone think of this before?!!

Good News: My i-pod which decided to sporadically combust/freeze yesterday has fixed itself.

Good News: On FTN they are now showing re-runs of Gladiators! That's right, prime time television from my youth is gracing our screens once again. We now get to chant for "Hunter", "Wolf" and "Sarasan" once more while waving the (one, shared) foam finger about in the air. We (brothers and sister) used to sit and watch it every single Saturday and it always seemed like such a marvellous and spectacular event. Of course, when you're about six years old, you tend to not notice the huge amount of empty seats, the woeful dress 'sense', the campness of the male gladiators or the pathetic nature of some of the competitors. Funny that...

Good News: No work tomorrow!

Not So Good News: Eating 250g of white chocolate while watching TV in bed without creon and without insulin. Yeah not such a good idea...but it DID taste good!

Good News: That chocolate tasted mmmm mmmm!

I arrived home late last night. Or should that be early this morning? Or maybe late this morning would be more accurate...

About two hours into my sleep, I awoke, grabbed some chocolate and stuffed it into my mouth. I then began to feel unwell and very confused. I tossed and turned and still felt unwell in a way I can't actually describe. It felt as though I was either a) drunk, b) ridiculously tired or c)having a 'hypo' (where blood sugar goes too low). I knew I wasn't drunk for certain, which left 'b' and 'c', or a combination of both.

I rolled out of bed and in the dark blue of the early morning, I made my way downstairs. Upon checking my sugar it was 3.1. TOO LOW. I proceeded to have a bowl of Rice Krispies, some chocolate Swiss roll, some hot chocolate and a few Thai crackers. After that I felt slightly less hungry.

I went back to bed, got up some time later, went into town to have my photo taken for a newspaper article on....you guessed it Transplants! I stayed in town, went to work and put together packs for....I actually don't know what. I should probably take more interest in my work...

Last evening I sat down in my bed, with my microwaved popcorn (butter flavour and to die for) and watched "Forest Gump". I'd never seen it before and it was, as I had heard, an excellent film. Along with my family, I visited Bubba Gump's in Time's Square in 2004 and that too, was excellent.

As with every new discovery, I tend to look it up on the Internet days later to get some extra information about it. I have no idea why I do it, but I guess I'm just geeky that way. Super-Uber- Geeky that way.

I glanced on IMDB.com (where I get all my useless trivia about TV and Films) and took a read on Forest Gump. For those of you who aren't familiar with the film, one of the characters loses his legs. Anyway, there I was, reading and mentally storing all the trivia when I came across a message down the bottom about Gary Sinise (actor who played character with the no legs). It read:

I heard from a reliable source that Gary Sinise actually had his legs amputated for the part of Captain Dan. Can someone confirm this?

I am not joking. I mean, come on! I can imagine him turning up for another audition to play an armless character and he has to have those chopped too. One word: Dedication.

Today was a very 'nothing' kind of day. Nothing really happened, so I reckon that's a good description.

I started taking my 24 hour insulin (Lantus/Glargine) again last night. I took 5 units, which isn't very much, but my sugars have been rather high lately. I am far less bothered about them now then I was back when I was diagnosed, and find myself not really caring when they are going high. I found my old sugar diary that I kept before Christmas, and I was alarmed at how near perfect they used to be. I was having more hypos (when sugar level drops too low) back then, but I was on about 14-16units of Lantus too. I'm not sure what I should do at the moment. Take more insulin, or keep going on with my 'shrugging at everything' attitude. I'm still gaining weight, so I reckon the 'not bothered' way of life is OK for me.

Speaking of which, the Apathy Society planned their annual meeting for Tuesday. It had to be cancelled though, due to a lack of interest....

The Irish Times is one of the many unofficial members of our family, with 3 or 4 day old copies usually found lieing about on any given day. That's because we are very lazy about putting them out, and they usually are left folded, creased and read in the playroom. My Mom is the only person concerned with keeping the place tidy you see.

Anyway, I was about 12 or so when I began reading papers, and I have always had a healthy interest in current affairs. I think it stems from my nosiness and the need to find out what everybody else is doing with their lives to be honest. I wouldn't read the paper every day, but rather occasionally.

I can't remember when it began, but we started to buy tabloids whenever we were abroad on holidays, as The Irish Times wasn't readily available in 'Pablo's corner shop'. It must have been circa 2000 when Big Brother was on, and we needed to know what was happening. Compared with broadsheet newspapers, these were easy to read, they had gossip like stories on celebrities, and they had big pictures. We all could read these, even my sister who was three years my junior.

Every morning the geeks early birds (Dad and sis) would get up and go get the milk, bread and the tabloid. They would get first reads, and then it was first come first served. Some people would take forever with it, others just need a flick. God help you if you got stuck waiting behind someone who had a pen to do the crosswords with! Occasionally there would be arguments (I was next, I'm first, that's not fair etc etc) and it would drive me ballistic. B.A.L.L.ISTIC!

Coming home from the airport yesterday, I picked myself up a Sunday Mirror to read. I put it into my bag while on the flight and planned to read it on my arrival home. Sometime in the afternoon I remembered my paper but when I went to retrieve it, it was gone. Someone had taken it. And read it. And wouldn't you know, they probably had a pen.

I remembered again when going to bed. When I was going to bed, my brother arrived in, and *yoink* he grabbed it. GONE. TAKEN. READ. And wouldn't you know HE probably had a pen with him too. So despite me purchasing the yoke, I was, as usual last in line to read it. Typical.

Happy Mammy's day Maw! I would post a sentimental photo of days past of me and my mommy, but I don't think she would appreciate reminders of her 'Farrah Faucet' days, and the memories of times when vary focals weren't her constant companion may depress her!

Me and "the girl" got home at lunchtime, and I had to sleep since I did very little of that over the weekend. England was....how they say...English. Plenty of "Eeeeeee's" and "Ooo aye!" were heard.

A certain Geordie organised a certain gig which had a comedian at it. The comedian, was obviously unaware of the Irish lassies in the back, cracked some very racist Irish jokes about "Paddy" and "Mick". We were appalled and decided to leave.

Nah I'm joking, he was very funny and we stayed. I had a couple of white wine spritzers which confirms my ''allergy'' to alcohol is clearly selective! We boogied to "walk five hundred miles" and overall had a highly enjoyable evening!

At the airport we had to shuffle our bags about because English airports only allow one bag. How silly. Next time I'm going to wear a pocketful jump suit so to eliminate the bag issue. I may even strap bottles of water to my legs and arms. They won't set off alarms OR show up anywhere. Then I will sell my story to Sky News and the Mirror for a tidy sum. Then, and only then, will I be happy.

Happy Saint Patrick's day to those in Ireland and those in Nigeria. Did anyone else know that St. Patrick is their patron saint too?

Today I shall be different; I'm going to be unique and do something nobody else will have thought of. I shall wear green. Not light green, not dark green...rather Abercrombie Green. I like to be different you see...

I have been warned by "the girl" not to be late today as we fly off on our holiers. Who knew she was so enthuastic about the minute chance of getting to see/spot/stalk/meet Alan Shearar?

Taking her warning on board, I should really go get ready. A suitcase needs packing, a person needs showering and she'll be here in 30minutes. Trust me you don't want to see "the girl" when she's angry...if you thought I went on, this one actually never ends!!

Back on Sunday, tootle pip! Oh and Dad, I got the mula you left me on the table, I owe you a fiver (euro)! xx

Tonight was a fantastic evening spent down at the dog track. "Dog Track" sounds a bit seedy and odd, but we went to Shelbourne, and in fact enjoyed a private box and our own tote (Tote-er?). It was (my first) a work do, and thanks to the generosity of the big man himself (Mr Siggs!), we all got €20 vouchers to bet with. In total I did well, and came home with nearly €30, having predicted the winner in the last race, and had a great seventh race. Having just one tip really comes in handy!

I downed FAR too many diet cokes though and am now suffering from extreme heart-burn, reflux, gargling, burping, rumbling tummy problems. And to think I gave the stuff up for lent...

I went down today to Dundrum to get some Mac make-up that I had promised myself last week. I had decided to spend my well earned money and bite that Mac-Bullet. When I arrived there though, I was overwhelmed with the number of products on offer, and then the vast choice of colours for each individual product. Anyone who knows me, knows how awfully fickle I am (with ten minutes for betting tonight, I would place my bets a mere 20seconds beforehand!), and sadly had to leave empty handed. "The girl" will be with me in the airport tomorrow though, and she can help me pick there.

And, YES, I am going away tomorrow. It may seem madness that we leave the country on what will be the national booze-fest, but we do things like that. Sadly "the girl" wants to find a pub to watch the match in on Saturday! 'Tis the life of Reilly for some!

Last day done and dusted.

I had to do a delivery down and across the dual carriage-way today too. That's a L.O.N.G. cycle! Longer then I'm used to anyway, but it was enjoyable and a little amazing too. Who'd a thunk I could have cycled *that* far?!

Apart from that, the rest of the day was pretty mundane apart from:

Lady: Hi, I'm looking for a digital thermometer please...
Me: Yup, no problem. Hmmm let me see...(acts like I just misplaced it while I scan my eyes frantically over the shelves as I ALWAYS DO whenever a customer asks for anything) Ah here we are!
Lady: Is there just the one? How does it work?
Me: Hmm, there should be more (always act like you agree with the customer)...No, none here... This says just to place in the mouth until the beep
Lady: Oh, OK, that's good...
Me: Oh WAIT, there's more over here.

*reaches down*

Me: Hmmm, these seem to take longer...you just need to...what the??? (Thinking how on earth you could test your temperature by giving a 'sample')...I don't get it....

Lady: I don't quite think...

Me: Oh wait, NO! This is a....ahem....pregnancy test ...ahem...never mind....
Lady: No I don't need one of those. (laughs) ...Trust me! (Sighs)

To conclude, I think I would make an excellent retails salesperson thingy..Phew!

Two days down, one to go. Work flew again today, but I was rather hungry.

To continue with today's 'hunger theme', I bumped into my old torturer dietician in Dundrum earlier. The nice thing was she didn't recognise me, which means I was so awful she blocked me from her memory, or I look so much better then when she saw me last. I opt for the latter.

This dietician, had the battle war task to get my weight up so I would be able to get on the transplant list. It was certainly a tall order as I was eating nothing, yet all I could manage; I was already on feeds twice - three times a day (so nothing extra could be added) and the target weight I was given was higher then I had ever been before.

It took her two months. Two. Long. Painful. Months. They were considering steroids to induce my appetite at one stage. Each day she came on to that ward, she would slowly roll in the weighing scales on wheels. It was a stiff, heavy wheelchair like weighing scales. You heard it coming. It would take several minutes to maneuver it to the bed and that wait could be agonising. You would *wish* you hadn't gone to the loo ten minutes earlier...*That fluid weight was at LEAST another kilo god darnit!*. You would curse yourself for being in pocket less pyjamas - *I could have fitted a phone, camera, mp3 AND some change in my jean pockets* And where was the heavy dressing-gown when you needed it?!?

So, I would sit down and try to press down as hard as I could. The weight could only be viewed from behind, so I always knew if there was a long sigh, it wasn't good.

But fair play to her, good old "Olive Tree" got me there in the end. She saw a challenge in me and faced it head on. She didn't give up, and she was realistic with me. She never told me to "PUT.ON.THREE.KILOS.BY.NEXT.WEEK", but rather it was a team effort. We took it slowly and worked our way up. She taught me that I *could* indeed put weight on with a LOT of effort. I'll probably never forget her.

And when I saw her this evening, I was delighted I had actual witnesses, unpaid, who could vouch for my new appetite!
You often hear about how great doctors and nurses are, and what a fantastic job they do, which of course is true. It's not everyday, however, you hear about the other people behind the scenes though. The doctors and nurses are like actors on stage; they pretend they know what they're doing they are the ones you see. The nurses, physiotherapists, phlebtomists and others are like the people who pull the curtain up. You never hear about them, but without them the show wouldn't be seen!