Climb every mountain... oh yes

Well... it appears I have the green light!
I do have to have two more tests here at Broomfield and a three day stay at Papworth to go through everything again with a fine tooth comb, but the doctor couldn't see any problem with it all going ahead.

Omimegod!

I think, only now it is beginning to sink in and I do feel a little punch drunk to be honest.
The good news was that looking at all the details that the doctor had in front of him and conferring with his boss, that he couldn't see any reason why it all shouldn't go ahead.
And bonus, I should only need a double lung transplant and not the heart too and all this could take place by this time next year at the longest.

He told me all the bad news too, which was the facts and figures on survival rates, which he had to warn me about so i had the chance to back before they went any further.
They were a tad gloomy I have to admit, but when I asked what my forecast would be if I didn't have it: well that was very bleak too to be honest. My bottom lip trembled at that little nugget of news.
I've always been a bit of a gambler, so I believe there is only one way forward for me. After all if someone offers you a second chance, you'd be a fool to turn it down.
Ever since the word transplant was fluid in my vocabulary, I've always known the risks, but I've always heard of lots of success stories too. To be truthful I've never heard of anyone that I know dying of a transplant, but I know two people personally and heard of another two who are friends of people I know and they have thrived.

I asked what I needed to do to get ready for it all and he has advised me that I have to get fit for the transplant, which means back to rehab and extra exercise to wait for this... losing one and a half stone in weight!
Gawd, its been hard enough to try and lose half a stone let alone add on another stone on top. I've been overjoyed that I've lost 2lb over the last couple of weeks. In fact I can't remember the last time that I was 10 stone!
I do actually eat healthily, well if you take out the extras like dark chocolate, a glass of something each night and yes more than the odd slice of cake!
But as he explained, it will help me survive the transplant and who can argue with that?

The hospital looks a nice place too. Very much like the old Black Notley hospital near me or Stanmore, where my nephew Matt spent so long after his accident.
The doctor explained that I will get to know the road there like the back of my hand, as I will be there A LOT, before and especially afterwards.
Apparently they do about one transplant a week, but that's all sorts of organs, not just lungs. They send someone out to collect you when the call comes and most of the organs are from stroke victims.
Didn't know that.
You can have a holiday in this country, no problem they will find you, but abroad is out of the question and no flying for over a year after the op too.
Turkey will have to wait a wee bit longer.
The two tests that I have to have here are for Coeliac disease and for acid reflux readings. The latter sounds charming as the tube goes up your nose and then down your nose into your gullet. Looking forward to that one...not.

So I have had my last drink for a while and now the diet books will come out to sort out my new healthy eating programme. My eldest is going to sort out some weights for me to strengthen my upper body and I will sort out a spa somewhere, so I can go swimming.
Will I sleep tonight? Who knows.
One hill climbed, but a bloody great mountain ahead!

Lots of love Debbie x