Memoirs ~ 2 ~

Hello Independence, Goodbye Independence 

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

RIP Jenna Lowe

It's been a month since the extraordinarily inspiring, Jenna Lowe passed away.

28th Birthday

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. 

Holiday

Last month, I resigned from my job and took off to Zimbabwe for just over a month!
Now before you say 'Jeesh Fawn, that's a bit risky, quitting your job for a holiday?" let me reassure you that it was definitely worth it! Plus I got back to Joburg this week and have already been offered a job!

I know, more than most people, how short life really is! This doesn't mean you should be reckless and completely carefree with your decision making but it does mean that sometimes you just have to do what feels right and trust that everything will work itself out!

The Schedule:

25/04 - Arrive in Zim, 1st Hens party (Tin Roof)

26/04 - Home, Family Dinner

27/04 - 1st Kitchen Tea

29/04 - Coffee & catch-up with friends

30/04 - Hair/make-up trials, Birthday Braai + Party (Tin Roof)

2/05 - Wedding Rehearsal

3/05 - Michael & Sara's wedding

7/05 - Party (Tin Roof)

9/05 - Girls Dinner, Party (Tin Roof)

11/05 - Mother's day brunch

16/05 - 2nd Kitchen Tea & Hens party (Tin Roof)

20/05 - Nails done with bridal party

22/05 - Leave for Vic Falls

23/05 - Saw the Falls, Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi

24/05 - Siana & Kevin's wedding

25/05 - Lunch at Vic Falls Boat Club, Final Dinner

25/05 - Back to Harare

26/05 - Back to Joburg

So as you can see it was a rather eventful trip! Tin Roof is Harare's local drinking hole, it's a great place to bump into old friend's but not a great place to be if you want a quiet night out!
There were obviously more coffee's with friends, lunches, dinners etc but you get the idea! I'm going to let the photo's do the talking from here, even though they NEVER do the real life view any justice! 

Peta, Lisa (Sister), Sara, Me, Shendl (Maid of Honour), Moira missing.

My beautiful Barbill

Tea with Snoek and Barbill

Chilling with Angel

Hair Trial 

Bright and Beautiful

Love is in the air

The Bride and Groom

Gorgeous Setting.

Celebrating Mother's Day

Katie, Meg, Me, Siana & Hele.

Less civilized Hen's party

Mani & Pedi for the wedding

My first time seeing Vic Falls!!

Rainbows everywhere! 

Incredible!

Gin & Tonic - Vital part of my anti malaria protection programme! 

Bridal party

The Bride and Groom

Gorgeous! 

Back to Joburg! 

Such an amazing holiday! This time last year I would still be in hospital, recovering from the punctured lungs incident. It's absolutely incredible that I am able to do the all things that I am doing. I dreamed of having a 'normal' life, being able to go to the shops and cook my own dinner, but travelling to Vic Falls and being able to do everything that I am doing, really as exceeded my dreams! 

Moral of the story - AIM HIGHER, DREAM BIGGER, GO FURTHER! 

Before and After

War Wounds and Support

Before, during and after transplant I received so much support. I will never be able to thank everyone enough for helping me get through everything.