Not sure how to start this entry, I tried several beginnings but even YAY doesn’t seem to suffice. In case it’s not obvious it’s me writing my first entry in a brand new chapter in my life. I wrote the following about a week ago:

So it’s happened. I have, as my dad says, gone through the looking glass and am now in a strange new world. to be honest its all still a total daze and the reality hasn’t sunk in yet; I have had my transplant, I am alive….and I can breathe. Of course its still very early days yet but I can breathe. A friend came to visit today and said how different I sound, no heavy breathing or pausing for breath in the middle of sentences. It hasn’t been smooth, the opposite in fact and I am still very weak from the op not to mention the huge infection I managed to aquire just after (never been one to do things in a straightforward well behaved manner). Sadly I am possibly the most impatient person in the history of mankind so not being a spectacular patient, but someone gave me the gift of life and I am determined to get strong and make the most of it.

I am keeping this entry short as my fingers are still all rubbery and lame from being sedated for so long so typing is taking me a while (not to mention a big day today as some of you already mentioned, a birthday I wasn't sure I would see).

Lastly thank you all so much for your wishes and thoughts, thanks doesn’t do justice to my gratitude but rest assured when it gets really tough it’s people that keep me going. Love and sparkles to all.