Time To Start a Bucket List

Yesterday I visited the surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and talked transplants. Typically, the NHS system in Stoke does not talk to the system in Birmingham, so there was a lot of repetition; information, questions, blood tests, talk of what will happen and possible consequences, but the upshot of the meeting was overwhelmingly positive. I need to have investigations into my heart condition, but should these check out OK, we have the green light to transplant. Things are falling into place nicely, and I’m ready.

Lately it feels like I have a permanent hangover and head cold, but there is no remedy. I often think this must be what being poisoned feels like; I suppose that is essentially what is happening. I’m sleeping 12-ish hours a day, so don’t have much of an idea what’s going on. It’s difficult to keep up when you’re in the land of nod. My limbs feel like they’re detached from my torso and when I’m not asleep, I experience a floaty, dazed sensation. It must be the drugs.

Ah, the drugs. Five different blood pressure meds, various antihistamines, thinners, binders, statins, steroids, inhibitors and sickness remedies. 12 routine tablets, twice daily, plus a pile of ad-hoc ‘as-and-when’ pills for the side effects. The surgeon warned me in a stern tone that I will have to take my anti-rejection drugs religiously. Apparently, some people don’t, and if I don’t, they will know! Mainly as my kidney will be rejected! There are no concerns there – daily pills are a way of life. They are, and will continue to keep me alive.

I told the transplant nurse in Birmingham that despite feeling terrible, I am quite happy, because I know this is temporary. I will be better soon and thanks to my dear Mum, I may even be fixed before the end of the year. That would make for a very merry Christmas. And watch out. Today my mind is surprisingly calm, which makes me suspicious that it’s up to something, but don’t yet know what it is. People thought I was crazy before I got sick, but there could be new levels of craziness to come. I think it’s time to start a bucket list.