I really have let it slide but an email from Ross, a wonderful nurse in The Intensive Care Unit at the Prince Charles Hospital, prompted me to revisit the site.
Like most of the ICU staff, Ross was a very caring and dedicated nurse but had one feature that the others may not have had, she is a great cook. I really couldn't stand hospital food (although it has improved dramatically of late) so one day Ross cooked me up an Indian dish the name of which I have forgotten. Anyway it was mildly spicy but very good and she'd made so much that Janyne took the rest home. Thank you Ross for your email and for remembering Janyne and me.
There is one point where I need to correct you however. My transplant was 4th May 2006, a whole two years and five months ago and I am feeling better than I have in over six years. I have put on a lot of weight (94 kilos) but that is only because I am not exercising as much as I should and I am probably drinking a few too many wines or scotches. Anyway, my excuse is that I am living on borrowed time so I might as well enjoy myself. I keep saying I must diet and exercise more but it's always tomorrow.
Healthwise I am fine except for the odd infection and a bit of fungal growth now and then. With the share market slide knocking us around financially, Janyne is now working full time and has me out looking for work. If anyone wants to employ a double lung transplantee who has shingles, osteoporosis, an artificial left hip and probably polimyalga rheumatica (but I haven't been off prednisone lung enough to find out), please let me know.
I am reasonably computer literate, can write well, understand sales and marketing, and don't mind working for commission but a retainer would be nice.
Hard to update a year's experiences in one post but I guess a highlight is Jacqui's upcoming marriage to her long term Partner, Andrew, on Friday 10th October. She and Janyne have been planning this event for at least a year, well maybe a bit less, so everything should go well. Another highlight is that Janyne's son and my stepson, Jason, and his partner Kym had a beautiful daughter, Hayley Janyne Gardener, last May, Janyne's first grandchild and she is ecstatic. One sore point is that she (Janyne) wants to be called "Granny". God she's not even 60 yet. I'll probably get called Grandpa Ben but I'd prefer just "Ben".
Anyway she, Hayley that is, is an absolute delight and it's wonderful watching her change and grow from week to week.
I'll leave things there but will try to update this blog at least monthly, if there is anyone still out there apart from Ross. Again thank you Ross.
Until next time,
Cheers,
Ben