One of the best shopping spree's ever!.

Yesterday was by far the best shopping spree I've had in a long time. All week it had been planned that if I felt well enough to do so my friend Natalie, her boyfriend Scott, My brother Nathan and I would all go toBluewater for a day of shopping and get some dinner at Ed's diner. Ed's diner is the best place to eat fast food - well we seem to think so. They have mini jukebox on your table so you can pay 20p and flick through some old tunes, chose one and the entire diner will hear you chosen song, it's fab.

I woke up at 9 o'clock and Nat was picking me up at half one, which gave me plenty of time to do what I needed to do and give me sometime to spare, or so I thought. It got to 12.30 and I received a text message from Nat saying she was 5 minutes away.. shock horror, I was still sitting on my bed in my pj's and Nathan hadn't even had a shower. Turns out I am actually losing my mind and I wanted to meet at 12.30.. and so the rush began.

Once all ready with my o2 and wheelchair in the car we were ready to leave. It took us just over an hour to get to Bluewater and when we arrived we did loads and loads of shopping.

I was looking for the perfect fitting pair of jeans which is a mission in itself and I really wasn't looking forward to trying them on as I do get quite tired getting dressed these days but Nat was the best and helped me put on the jeans and take them off.

I must say Bluewater really have covered everything for disabled access, the changing room for disabled customers is huge! I found some navy jeans in Topshop and some tops and then it was time to pay, the Que was huge so we asked the shop assistant if we could jump the line due to oxygen not lasting very long and I had a long day of shopping planned. The assistant was very helpful and was happy to let us in but the people in the Que were not so happy. After my Topshop spree we decided it was time to eat and headed up stairs for our long waited Ed's, we were shown to a booth and handed out menus but we didn't need to look as we all knew what we wanted.

I had a hot dog with mustard and so did Nathan, Nat and Scott had a burger. We all shared cheesy fries and we all had to have a milkshake - they are the best milkshakes in the world. I had a mint chocolate one, Nat had a chocolate and coffee and Scott had a peanut butter and banana one. Needless to say we were all stuffed and so the shopping continued.

In the end I brought four tops, two pairs of jeans, some sparkly pumps, a scarf, and some make-up. Lets just say my bank balance is not thanking me today, but hey a girl has got to do what a girl has to do, eh?!

We got home around 9 and we were all so tired. Nat and Scott stayed for a cup of tea then they went home. I did my medication then it was off to bed.

I had a wonderful day with Nat, Nathan and Scott.

It's tough being a model.

Tuesday I had a hospital appointment at the Brompton as my IV antibiotics finished on the Monday so I needed to have some blood done and see the Dr and then see what our next plan of action was going to be. My weight has gone up in two weeks - I have gone from 41.9kg to 43.6kg which is brilliant, so am very pleased about that. The Dr spoke to Professor about what she wanted to do for me chest wise and it was suggested I stay on one antibiotic to keep everything stable to which I agreed. So I am now on one antibiotic rather then the two that I was on before and I will return in two weeks to review my situation again. I also had an appointment with the ear, nose and throat specialist to check there's nothing unusual happening in those areas but luckily those were all fine and the Dr said he did not need to see me again which was good to hear.

Today was my photo shoot for Cosmopolitan magazine. When I woke this morning I felt really nervous, mainly about the clothes (no I am not that vein) but I have problems with jeans fitting so I was really worried about looking too skinny. I had been emailing Joan the picture editor for many months now so when she emailed me yesterday we arranged for her to come to my house for one. She arrived and shortly afterwards a photographer, photography assistant, stylist and hair/make-up artist arrived. My mum rallied around offering tea whilst everyone started setting up. My mum had to be back at work for two so J came around to help out and stay with me, they asked him if they could use him for test shots whilst I was having my hair and make-up done ,J hates having his photograph taken but he could hardly say no.
When I was finally ready the shoot began, there was a lot of 'can you tilt your head, move your arm, hold your hands.. beautiful, beautiful..' If I am honest I didn't feel too comfortable doing it, don't get me wrong I love being in front of the camera - if someones taking a photo I want to be in it, but I think it was more that when its a photo shoot all eyes are on you and it was that, that didn't suit me, I would prefer to be on the other end of the camera I think.

I did have a really good day and it was something so different to what I have ever done before. The article will be in the June issue which gets released in May, I get to read the article through tomorrow morning, I hope its good.


P.S - I've been at home for a month on Friday - YEY!!

The last few days have been spent watching TV, catching up with other peoples blogs (check out my 'inspiring blogs' link on the right), and researching the big bang theory - it all started last week when J came over and we got chatting about the Earth and the Universe and he said about the big bang and the string theory and I realised I know little if not nothing about these as when taught physics in school I think I was more interested in chatting with my friends then actually listening to what Mr Dew was actually trying to teach me and I do in fact regret that because for one I can't remember what conversations me and my friends were having so they can't have been that interesting and two what he was teaching I would have remembered for my whole entire life, but I guess when your aged between 11 and 16 you don't really think about it too much so I am not going to dwell on that too much as I have enough time on my hands at the moment to do my own research so that has been what I've been doing. Firstly I looked up the string theory on Wikipedia but that seemed to be a lot of gobbledygook.. so I swapped my search to the big bang theory and that seemed to make a little more sense, so I know have a little more knowledge on the universe and how it all began. It's so interesting, phenomenal and overwhelming. I am still looking it up so I won't post any facts or anything as I'm no Einstein.

I've been feeling a lot better the last few days, I've woken up with more 'get up and go' which is great, so yesterday I got dressed and my Mum, J and I went to Ikea to pick up some storage stuff for my bedroom - the annoying thing about my room at the moment is that I have so much medical equipment that it takes up so much of my room it's getting on my nerves, I want my room to look like a bedroom again not a hospital room (although my room is pink so that separates it from a hospital room). So J whizzed me around Ikea in my chair with little swerves here and there it was fun, although we kept having to wait for my Mum because she walks a lot slower then J. I brought a huge chest and a new TV table with a shelf for my DVD player, freeview box and Wii, and then another shelf which I will store my DVDs on. My Mum has already set up the storage box and it's filled with medication and were going to do the TV table a little later on.. (I say we, but really my mum will do it and I will point at where things need to go). Later on last night me and J watched some TV and I read his script on a film he's doing at uni that he wrote and will be directing and gave him my opinion on it (it is very good, he is very creative) then we went to sleep, it was lovely him to stay again as it's been a long time, we snuggled and fell asleep together.

Good times.

I haven't been outside since Monday due to the weather being horrible and due to me not having much energy so I have spent most of the Week in my pyjamas at my house.

My Friend Sammy-Jo came to see me on Thursday evening which was great, we watched Hollyoaks and analysed all the crazy story lines they have going on at the moment and just chatted about anything and everything, Sam left and then J came over which was fantastic. J is at uni doing a BA Honours in film and video production so he brought over his Mac and showed me one of his films he'd been working on - it was brilliant! I'd love to put one on my blog but I'm not too sure if he would allow me to but I will work on that one, he'd also uploaded some footage he took from our holiday to Egypt in 2006 and showed me some of that. Seeing the footage of the Red sea made me want to go back, it really is gorgeous. Then we sat down to watch the TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, the plot line is set after the events in 'Terminator 2' Sarah Connor and her son John, trying to stay under-the-radar from the government as they plot to destroy the computer network Skynet in hopes of preventing Armageddon (not really my thing) but J had been following this for a few weeks now and at first I was quite reluctant to watch it, but once it started I did quite enjoy it.

On Friday I just watched TV and snuggled in my bed, nothing exciting and on Saturday Sammy-Jo popped over for a bit and my other friend Connie came over to watch a DVD, we watched Planet terror, so all in all I've had a really good couple of evenings with my friends, may they continue.

I talk about my friends quite alot through out my blog so it's only fair I put a face to their name, so I have uploaded a photo of them, it's quite an old photo but I think it's a really nice one of us.

Jenny, Connie, Me, and Sammy-Jo.

I've had a bit of a poo time on Sunday, I've been having high temperatures and am more productive in my chest and just feel like I don't have any energy, So I called up the Brompton and spoke to the Dr on call and arranged to go onto Lind ward (the day unit) on Monday to have bloods and x-ray done and then to see the doctor and begin IV antibiotics again, So on Monday off we went to the good old Brompton, arrived on Lind at 12 o'clock, went straight to bloods and x-ray and then waited to see the doctor who arrived at 4.30. There are currently no beds available on Foulis ward so I was sent home on IV antibiotics for 14 days and then we will see where I am at, I was told that if I deteriorate I will have to be admitted to my local hospital (which has actually been voted the worse in the country) then be transferred to Foulis when a bed becomes available.

Yesterday was quite bad as I was so tired, I coughed up pots of mucus, still spiking temperatures and was just drained but today I do feel a little better, I'm not as tired which is good. Hopefully the drugs are working and will get rid of this infection.

TGI Fridays.

Last night I went for dinner and cocktails at TGI Fridays with my two friends Sammy-Jo and Jenny.

During the day time I had a raging temperature of 38.2 and my Sat's were dipping between 86-91% so I wasn't feeling too great but I had been really looking forward to the TGI cocktails for quite sometime now so decided I wasn't going to let that stop me having an evening out with the girls!. Sammy-Jo picked me up at 6.15 so we had plenty of time to load all the o2 in the car as well as the wheelchair. When we arrived at TGI's we were shown to our table and given our menu's - I decided on choosing the starters to have as my main as I know there is no way I'd eat a whole main meal these days so I chose corn on the cob, onion rings, and breaded Mozzarella dippers with a gorgeous cocktail which was named Strawberry Daiquiri, it is a frozen combination of smooth Cuban rum, sharp citrus juice, strawberry liqueur and strawberries and my gosh it was soooo nice! I had two, it was recommended by Sammy-Jo.

It was great to be out with Jenny and Sam as it's been so long since I last went out, we chatted loads and had a really good time. When it was time to leave that's when the drama started, we went to the car and I was going to switch to my emergency cylinder as the one I was currently using was on the red so was going to run out shortly, but when I turned it on the oxygen was leaking out of somewhere that it shouldn't have been.. oh dear, so it was a faulty cylinder (so much for emergency tank eh!?) at first I did become quite panicked as I knew if I were to run out of oxygen I'd be in trouble and who knows what would happen! in fact I don't even want to think about it as it terrifies me, but Sammy-Jo calmed me down and assured me we would get home in time and to call my Dad to let him know what was happening, which I did so when we got home he was waiting outside with a new cylinder and we didn't actually run out entirely so Sammy-Jo was right - and no she was not speeding ;) anyways drama aside I had a brilliant time out with my friends and I hope I can do it more often.

My Strawberry Daiquiri

Being at home is great, but oh my gosh it is hard work! in hospital everything is to reach, but at home your constantly pottering around to get things as they have a specific place in your room, in hospital you get your bed made for you, at home you have to do it youself so it is tough but I think I'm doing ok, because I have the best mummy in the whole wide world who helps me with everything - I do feel quite bad on her sometimes though because she does an awful lot for me and I just sit and watch her do it and I want to help so much, I know she understands but I know that having me home is hard work and is a full time job really, she's constantly up and down the stairs fetching me things, she'll be muscle woman soon.. but at the moment she is super mum.

Since I got discharged from hospital Ive been taking it easy, I've been out a few times but no where exciting just to Ikea, Curry's, comet, topshop etc, a friend of mine came over on Wed night and we had a catch up. Yesterday I got my hair cut which was long over due - I last had it cut when it was the rugby final.. I think that was around October time but don't quote me on it, so when I went back yesterday my stylist John said he'd give me a cut which wasn't too much hard work as these days doing my hair takes up quite a lot of energy and I get all hot and bothered and annoyed, I've got a short bob type thing and it's chocolate.. My appointment was at 4 and three oxygen tanks later I had my new do.. will post pictures soon and in the evening time J came over and we snuggled was lovely, I miss doing things with him.

I'm home

Yesterday morning the Dr's said I could finally go home. Wooohooo... *dances around the room in a jiggly fashion* this is great news but as I've been in hospital for such a long time it's also quite scary.

My Mum and my brother came to pick me up in the evening and off we went on our journey home. The journey home was full of conversation between us all - my brother said vodka was made from potato? this made me laugh, he swore it were true so i shall Google that in a moment or two. We were all hungry so we decided we would eat out as it was getting late, we decided on going to our local harvester as they serve different dishes so everyone would be happy. I had a prawn cocktail to start and an harvester combo for 2 for main (yes it was for two but i didn't eat enough for two.. I'm only small) and it was good!! I also had a little glass of wine which was nice.

It was really good to be out with my family, talk about normal things and just be me again. When back at the house my mum helped me unpack all of my things and then I settled into my warm, snugly bed and had the best nights sleep - although I did have a bizarre dream about J but I won't go into that.

I'm not sure how long I will be out of hospital for but everyday I spend at home I will be thankful for. I'm going to take it easy and take everyday as it comes. Tonight I have my friends coming over which shall be fun.

I'd also like to say thank you to everyone who sent me get well wishes, cards and gifts - your kindness was overwhelming and i am very lucky to have you all behind me whilst I go on this journey.

Me with a balloon i recieved from live life then give life.

Home for the weekend.

I saw the Dr's on Wednesday and they were so pleased with my turn around they let me escape home for the weekend - yey!! so on Friday my mum came and picked me up and off we were on our way home, we did a little de-tour and nipped into asda to pick up some duck eggs which I have been craving for weeks now.

I've had such a wonderful time at home, spending it with all my family and being in my own room, surrounded by my own things & sleeping in my own bed - heaven!

Yesterday was great, My nan and aunt came over in the morning as they have not seen me in a few weeks so we all had a catch up, later on my mum, my brother and I played bowling on my Nintendo Wii (remember I got it for Christmas but have not had the chance to play?) it was great fun and not as tiring as I expected, although I have a wrestling game which does look somewhat energetic so I shall be giving that a miss. We had a lovely roast for dinner and then me and my brother watched stardust together, it is a brilliant film, I love romance and I do love a good fairytale so the combination is my perfect film.

I was actually suppose to go back to the hospital last night but I am now off IV antibiotics and I felt well enough to stay another night, so I called up the hospital and they said I could return this afternoon.