Oops, not quite the promised next day update then!

Harefield went fine. I was dropped there early in the morning and went and performed the obligatory tests. As soon as I saw the lung function numbers (which were considerably higher than my readings at home) I knew I would be ok to go home that day. Which I duly was, sent away with the warning that if the wheeze doesn’t disappear and the lung function continues to be silly then I will need a bronchoscopy for further investigation. If my memory serves me correctly I spent the whole of the last one I remember begging them to take the camera out, so good luck whoever has to perform that.

This morning was great fun, with Watchdog coming to film a very short “what’s happening now” clip for Wednesday’s programme (there no one can say I don’t tell them now). I will probably appear for all of 30 seconds so really not worth setting your video for. The crew took me to my local park – the last time I went there I was sitting in Denzel, with a cylinder of oxygen by my feet, wrapped in layers and glowering as I was cold and did not wish to be outside (charming patient I know). Today I walked into that park, across the grass (Denzel was never a fan of grass so it’s quite a novelty) and we filmed me sitting on the swings; something I haven’t done for a long time as I suspect a Clairette (oxygen cylinder) flying at a child’s head would count as a slight health and safety liability. There is something about sitting on a swing, I think it takes you back to a happy carefree time in your life and just makes the world seem bright, safe and accessible. I may or may not have swung back and forth like a child until I was asked to remain stationary for filming purposes.

So the filming was fantastic fun, and I got a little outing whilst doing it. And as always when I do these media things I got to meet a group of new people; I love meeting new people, although I now tend to talk so much not one of them can get a word in edgeways.

My main task next week is to join the gym. I now have clearance from Harefield to do so (they mentioned something about taking it slowly but I don’t really remember what they were saying) and I just have to pluck up the courage to go and join. It’s a fairly daunting prospect as I have never been sporty (it was a lung transplant, not a personality transplant) but I am excited at the idea of training properly for the Hydro active (for which we now have a team of over 40 Angels – places are filling up fast so hurry and get in touch if you want to join us!) As much as I try and convince myself, I am not sure that shoe shopping really counts as hard-graft…

Incidentally, I have discovered the perfect excuse for purchasing yet more new shoes. Wear completely impractical ones that hurt your feet within 10 minutes of entering the shopping centre, complain loudly, and your other half instead of berating you for filling the only shoe cupboard in the house to the brim, will be only too pleased to accompany you into a shop to purchase yet another pair…