Eleven weeks post transplant

Me on my return from the hospital. I have to say its exhausting being in hospital!

 Had and overnight stay at the MRI as I had developed some respiratory reaction to a virus I'd had, which basically meant I couldn't get my breath and was coughing constantly.The medics stopped  of one of my immune suppressant drugs for a couple of weeks to allow my white blood count [ the parts of your blood which fight infection] to rise from 2, which is not very good to this weeks result  increasing to 3.4. What was really levelling was they admitted me into the bed next to the one I'd occupied when I had my transplant and there was a woman in it who'd had a transplant the day before. I looked at all the tubes and pieces of high tec kit she was attached to and the realization sank in that I must have looked like that ten or so weeks ago. BLOODY HELL! The lady's daughter in law had donated a kidney to her, and the recipient was 71 years of age!

I knew Mart was ready to think about going back to work as when I returned from meeting up with one of my mates for a walk he'd started making a new gate. He has after I have worked very hard negotiating him down from five days, arranged to return to work for three days a week until his energy's returned.Not an easy man to negotiate with as he doesn't understand the concept of not working on full pelt.

Still working with the idea of having an exhibition about the transplant experience and kidney donation. Started this new piece its called''Lets Here It for the Donor.''

Took me ages to finish this mosaic, which is now ready fro grouting. It came to me the other day why? I think its about moving on. This mosaic is about hopefulness, I started it when I was hopeful about the transplant going well, getting a donor, getting my life back to a more healthy place. What I realized the other day is now I've dared to really let into my experience that it has been a  success so far and there is no reason why  I should not continue to improve and thrive.I realize I've been holding on too hard to''dont count your chickens before they've hatched'' stuff. Now although still slightly cautious I am allowing something into my feelings about '' its alright, its worked!'Mart has saved my life and offered me the chance to really engage with my life again....what will I do? So this new and exciting journey both continues and commences. I am really thinking about my contribution to life and what I want to do more off and indeed less of!' So lets here it for my donor...he really is a hero!