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Trip to Ireland!

Trip to Ireland!

27.04.18

Whilst I was on the ward, I got the all clear from my consultant to fly to Ireland for my dad's wedding! He's getting married in Ireland so I wasn't sure if I'd be able to go, or if I'd have to get the ferry, but I was told I was fine to fly! 

I had to be really organised with my pills, I had a set in my suitcase as well as my hand luggage. I thought I'd need a note to take all my pills in my hand luggage but no one at the airport even questioned them, but I brought my prescription list just in case! I had to book travel insurance in case I was ill while I was away but also because I had a biopsy the Monday before I went away, I wanted to make sure that if I was admitted and had to cancel my flights and things that I'd be covered. The Heart Transplant Facebook group that I'm on is really good for recommendations on travel insurance. The company that was suggested was All Clear but they wouldn't cover me after I filled out the questionnaire, but they suggested another company that would, and it was £67 for 4 days in Ireland for me and Ciaran. It's more money than it would be for a normal person but considering I wasn't even 3 months post op I thought that was pretty reasonable!

Friday

We flew over on the Friday, and I had to wear a mask on the plane to prevent me getting an infection. People are really funny, they don't ask questions they just stare! I would rather someone ask me why I have a mask on, one drunk man asked but I don't think he really understood haha! Friday night we had a small dinner which was lovely as I could catch up properly with Emily's mum and dad and her maid of honour Amy and some other family and family friends. Emily booked Elvis as a surprise which was great! I went to bed pretty early, I think around 11 because I knew Saturday would be an early start and I didn't want to be tired! I still can't get over how great I feel though, I was up first thing Friday, traveled on a plane, went out and about in the day and then was up all night! The only thing I struggle with still is my puffy face, I know that it's silly but it bothers me that I don't look the same when I look in the mirror, but I just get on with it! It was fun to put a dress on and do my makeup, and I feel 10 times stronger than 2 weeks ago at Emily's party!


Saturday

I didn't get up too early Saturday, I think I was up about 8, I had a shower and washed my hair and went down for breakfast. Then all the girls got ready in Emily's room, it was so much fun! We all had our hair done and I did my makeup but Shannon did everyone else's and everyone looked so pretty! 

We walked around the gorgeous grounds to have photos taken and I was just giddy all day thinking about if I hadn't had my operation yet. I was worried when I first woke up because I felt so grim and bloated but with weak legs and I couldn't imagine that just a month after going home I'd be able to go to Ireland for the weekend!



The wedding itself was lovely and I had such a great time, I was up until about 2am and even had a dance! My chest is still quite sore so I can't do much with my arms still but I just love that I can stay awake and don't get exhausted!! I had a lie down after dinner before the evening but more just to freshen up my makeup, I didn't need to sleep. I thought about my donor a lot all day, because without them and their selfless decision to donate their heart to me I wouldn't have been able to celebrate with my dad and Emily and my family because I wouldn't have been well enough to travel and I slept nearly all day before transplant, I'd have never made it through the wedding day! I also think about their family and that while I'm happy and celebrating they're in pain and missing their loved one, I just hope that they have some comfort from the fact that they've saved so many people with their brave decision. 

I want to send a thank you card so badly (the card has been sat on the side for weeks), I'd hate for them to contact the hospital and I hadn't left a letter for them. But I have no idea how to put into words how grateful I am. I'm thinking about having photos printed from special occasions such as the marathon and the wedding and to tell them that without them I wouldn't have been able to do those things. But I need to check with the hospital that I'm allowed to do that, as you're not allowed to put identifying information in your letter.

For most of May I just enjoyed the sun, chilled out at my mum's house and I'm doing lots of walking with Ciaran and making an effort to go out and be active. As much as I want to tell people what I'm doing all the time I think I'll keep my blog for my transplant story and only update when things happen that are to do with my recovery! But don't think that all I do is go to the hospital! Haha. 

Thank You again to everyone that read my blogs and is interested in my journey! I hope I can help anyone who's going through their own transplant journey, and the general public that wants to know more about the weird and wonderful world of transplant! 




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