Memoirs ~ 2 ~

Hello Independence, Goodbye Independence 

New Blog Name For A New Year

As 2016 draws to an end, most of us start to look back and reflect on the year we had. We also take this time to think about what we want to achieve in the upcoming year.

Goodbye 2015

As we draw near to the end of another year, it's time to reflect on 2015, the good, the bad and the unexpected....

Sasha and I at our epic birthday party in June

#ChooseBeautiful

WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD REALIZE THE CHOICE TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL IS A PERSONAL POWER THEY HAVE EVERY DAY

2nd Lungaversary

Sometimes having a transplant is compared to having a baby. It's a scary process that changes your life for the better. After having a baby/transplant every decision you make is based on what is best for your new lungs/baby. They become more important than you. My lungaversary is definitely more special than my birthday. My birthday celebrates the day I was born but my transplant celebrates the day my life began. That's not to say that I didn't have a life before transplant, I most certainly did and made the most out of everything I could. However, life was hard and having to suffer daily didn't allow the true 'me' to come out. Now, I am who I was always meant to be and I beleive that my new lungs and I were always destined to be togther. 

Lungaversary week

On Thursday the 5th of March it will be 2 years since I recieved my new lungs and my whole life changed.

2014 Recap

On the 5th of March 2013 I recieved the gift of a life, a double lung transplant. I had been waiting my whole life (well as long as transplants have been around, anyway) for the surgery that could change my life. The operation and recovery was extremely difficult both mentally and physically but somehow I found the strength to get through it all and 3 months later I was at home with my new lungs. It took me about a month to regain enough strength to start going out and even then it was only short trips to the shops. By August I had started to go out more and more and by the end of the year I was driving by myself and building my confidence in "The real world"

My first time out with friends

Medical Miracles

This month Discovery Health have featured me online as well as in their magazine. I have been with this medical aid for quite a few years now and without them, my transplant wouldn't have been possible! 

Mowana Spa

Another competition I won recently was a "Me Time" Indulge package for 2 at Mowana spa from the Pocelain Rouge blog. 

The Saturday Star 26.07.2014

Girl Geek Dinners

I bought a ticket to the Girl Geek Dinners which took place at Pigalle in Melrose Arch on th 16th of March. R170 gets you a 3 course meal, a chance to win amazing prizes, gift bags and most importantly - it allows you to meet some really spectacular people! 120 seats were sold out in 58 minutes so I'm not the only one that thinks this dinner is not one to miss!

The Fourways Farmers Market

The Fourways Farmers Market is located next to Monte Casino and is fast becoming one of my regular spots on a Sunday!

It's open every Sunday from 9am to 3.30pm with Live music playing from 11am-2pm.

The market is set in a beautiful nursery so you can expect stalls in amongst gorgeous greenery and a feeling of 'freshness' all around.

The majority of the stalls are food related. Everything from greek cuisine, gourmet milkshakes, fresh produce, gluten/sugar/dairy free treats, coffees, wines, beers, you name it. If you're an avid foodie then this is definitely worth a visit! With a huge variety of food to choose from and ample seating to sit back and enjoy your meal! 

One of my favourite stores is 'The Fat Rabbit'. They make rusks and other treats but also have a gluten and sugar free range which is perfect for me! I love their cranberry and pecan biscottis and never leave the market without a packet (R30) in hand! 

The market isn't only for foodies, it's a place where parents can bring their kids for a day out in the sun or for a group of friends to get together and enjoy a drink in an outside environment. Dogs are welcome at the market and there are always a number of people walking around with their pooch on a leash.

I went to the market with the intention of having lunch with friends and buying a packet of biscottis. However, I ended up buying:

• Packet of Biscottis
• Lunch (indian food)
• Cappuccino 
• Banting cupcake
• Biltong
• Packet of chia seeds

Moral of the story - Go expecting to buy more than you anticipated! But GO =)

Check out their website HERE
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27th Birthday

My Birthday card from Shendl.

It was my birthday on Sunday the 8th of June and to celebrate I decided to have a girls night out! Because I believe in putting in a little extra effort to make things more special, I decided to do a theme. I told friends that this was the dress code -


A few friends came over to my flat and we had a couple of sneaky drinks and naturally, a bit of a photo shoot!

I have the most amazing friends, new and old! I got absolutely spoiled rotten spoiled rotten by everyone and even though I really appreciated all my gorgeous gifts, what was even more special was spending my birthday with such amazing people! I love you Friends! 

After drinks, and love...

We got a taxi to Movida to meet up with some other friends and dance the night away! I've only ever been to Movida one other time but I thought the 'Moulin Rouge' style club was perfect for a night of fun with my girls! 

"I'm so Fancy"

You know you're not in Zim anymore when there's a grand piano in the Club! 

Later, the tables are moved and this area become the dance floor.

Juss, Sash, Me, Tish, Lee

Unfortunately, what happens on girls night, stays between us girls (there's good reason for that). But in summary - we danced, we laughed and we danced a little more. 

Last year I got out of hospital just before my birthday so I couldn't really celebrate it much. I did have a lovely time with my family and being my first birthday with my new lungs, I was very grateful! 

This birthday however, was evidence of just how 'normal' my life is now. Yes I still pop hand-fulls of pills and have to go for regular check-ups but there is nothing really that I can't do! I don't think it will ever stop amazing me how a surgical procedure can take you from death's door to having a crazy girls night out. I know I say this often but I really am grateful each and every day for all the things that my transplant has allowed me to do. 

I am living my dream and loving EVERY minute of it!

Thanks again to the friends that made it to party with me and to those who didn't but sent through lovely birthday messages! I love you all so much!! 

Lungaversary

The 5th of March 2014 marked my ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of having new lungs!!

Before and After

Gone But Not Forgotten