I have Cystic Fibrosis. For the people who don't know what it is,
It is a life-threatening lung condition, which not only affects the lungs, but also the digestive system and basically all the other organs in the body, but affects different people with CF in different ways. We all take different cocktails of medication to fight off all the chest infections we get, giving us a very short life expectancy of an average of 35 years.
For me, I would not of even made it to my 17th birthday, if it wasn't for the kind generosity of my donor, who I thank from the bottom of my heart (and lungs haha)
Starting secondary school was when I began going into hospital even more and lung function starting dropping more and more and by 2007, I really started to deteriorate. By 2008, I was on 24hr oxygen and needing a wheelchair to get around. Even the most simplest of tasks used to leave me gasping for air. My mum had to help me with everything.
I had even planned my own funeral. I knew my life was coming to an end and I had to be prepared for that. I dreaded going to sleep, incase I never woke up. I wasn't ready to die and I was so scared. I was only 16 and just thought how I had so much stuff I still wanted to do in life.
July 2008, I was finally put on the active list for a double - lung transplant. Generally I am a positive person but couldn't help thinking at the back of my mind I might not be fortunate enough to get this.
August 2008 was when I received the most priceless gift anyone could ever get - my new lungies! I genuinely felt like my whole life was flashing through my head. That is the most simplest way to put it. Literally everything that had every happened in my life, even down to the most simplest of things rushed through my mind. Then I thought of who the poor family was who had obviously just lost their son/daughter/mum/dad, whoever, and I just felt so sad for them, what a devastating time they were going through yet had the heart in them to still do the most selfless thing in the world, and I felt so grateful because even if that wasn't the right time for me that time, they still would of saved someone else.
When we arrived at Great Ormond Street Hospital, all the doctors and nurses kept making sure that I was sure I wanted to go through with it, honestly I had never been so sure of anything in my whole life. This was my chance to have a life!
All those times when I felt like giving up.. It was this moment that kept me going. It has to get worse before it gets better as they say!
All those times when I felt like giving up.. It was this moment that kept me going. It has to get worse before it gets better as they say!
Nearly six years on and in my 22 years of living, I have been through the shit but I continue to remain positive and soldier on! Even though my health isn't 100% and probably never will be, I still feel the most richest and luckiest girl to have the most wonderful family, boyfriend and a few close friends by my side. Plus there is always someone worse off, so I just count myself lucky the fact I am still here breathing.
I have said it a million times before and I will say it a million times more - I will be forever grateful.
I have said it a million times before and I will say it a million times more - I will be forever grateful.
