I fell off the wagon

justruth

For everyone interested in the bone marrow, I had the harvest this morning, the local is beginning to wear off but it's really not too bad. They've given me some pain killer ready for when it does, and they're really nice looking after me. I'm tired but not too bad.

I'm really glad that I have had the opportunity to do this, it's something that I know most people would do in the same situation but I feel fortunate that my time came. It kind of feels like an honour.

Anyone considering it, there are several ways to volunteer and you will probably never get the call, but don't put your name down unless it is something that you feel you will actually do. You can go on the British Bone Marrow Register http://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/bonemarrow/ go on Anthony Nolan Register http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/donating/howtojointheregister/ or go on through Marrow http://www.marrow.org/ . I do believe that most people, given that call would if they were suitable go through it, but unless you register you're unlikely to get the call.

It's given me a lot of time to think about things, and I am feeling really positive, will leave hospital in fighting form!

justruth

Clocked up another NSD on Thursday, so thats 2, had to spend yesterday and today, but hopeful for tomorrow. Officically on Christmas break now from uni but with exam first day back need to get cracked on with learning. I turned down opiate based pain killers from hospital as paracetemol seems to cope quite well with it and I want to keep a clear head. Also opiates and iron supplements do not make a good combo for the belly lol.

I have a dinner party tonight but mostly with other med students who know about the op and will look after me so it's all good. Quite looking forward to it!

I went to buy some more dressings for my back as the ones from the hospital come off in the bath last night, but couldn't really find much suitable, however they said that the dressings could come off in a day or so anyway. I'm sure I used to be able to buy good first aid equipment and dressings over the counter.

psychopathbabble

Have a good night! It's really interesting hearing (reading??) about the donation, I've made a blood donation appointment for January so I'll sign up then as I keep forgetting to tell them I want to go on the list.

Well done on the NSDs! I'm really struggling at the moment but hopefully after Christmas and New Year is out the way, I can try and start again properly.

Have a good weekend and look after yourself!

Mudbath

Hiya everyone.

Glad you're recovering well from the bone marrow op. You really should feel so proud of yourself - just think of what a difference you might have made to a person's life. I agree things need to get sh!tty so you can appreciate the good things. The only thing I remember from literature at school was King Lear explaining that at great length so we're in good company:rotfl:.

Keep up the good work with paying your debt off. January is going to see me doing some SERIOUS saving for a new (to us) car. I'll think about it next year though.

Here's to a great 2010 for us all xx

justruth

Yesterday was my official 1 year anniversary from my LBM!

Working out exactly where I stand but I certainly know that I am far better off than I was this time last year. Going to get the full details tomorrow as I want to include the wages on Monday which yeah is a little bit of a cheat but it's my debt lol.

Also time for New Years resolutions, I know that my debt is going to increase in October due to the building work done by the council, although the exact figure has yet to be delivered. However that will be at 0%, my student overdrafts are at 0% and my CC is 0% till feb, with just the 2 loans accruing interest, so plan is to clear the CC by feb (as was always the plan) and clear the flexi loan, which although is lower interest than the other, the way they calculate the interest is more beneficial for every little step with the flexi loan and the other is heavily insured anyway. I really want the flexi loan gone by October but certainly by the end of the year.

The last resolution is to take better care of myself and to have a holiday. One of the things that has come up from the op was that my blood calcium was low, and I was advised to start taking some supplements and vit D. On reflection I spent pretty much my entire summer either under a giant tent (O2 arena) or in the car travelling and working late nights. I am 28 and realise the risks of osteoporosis, for blood calcium to be low it will have already taken some out of my bones as it tends to correct for the blood. I've always been quite proud of my work ethic but if I don't look after myself a little better how can I look after anyone else? It's been another week of wake up calls I guess, but an empowering one. Lol I feel I should be doing something, cracking on and getting everything done, just a little tired though.

justruth

OKAY year one total debt £14,032.57

Debt Tackled £4,467.43

Goal for year two; £8000!

justruth

Well, I got the reply from the ticket I challenged and I have to pay it, but it gets better, there is a big church near where I live and I often struggle to park, so this last Sunday I parked on a single yellow line ready to move later, but I only remembered I still needed to move it today! I have never been so relieved to have 2 parking tickets in my life lol. In fairness it should have really been 4 and quite frankly as soon as I remembered I was more worried that it would have been towed! So downer that I now have nearly £200 in parking fines but thank goodness I still have the car today!

Another unexected outlay is my nephews helmet. My sister brought him an electrical scooter thing, but when they got it, it goes a lot faster than they had anticipated so I just brought him a good motorcycle helmet. This is one of those items that I would sooner just pay the £60 than wish I had in a few months time.

Other than that I have managed another NSD, which I am clearly very happy about, I have food in the cupboard and fridge and I am feeling good. Perhaps not going to make the best start on the £8k target but figured it's 80*£100 and I can probably pull that off, and I know that I have a lot of work in the summer.

Mudbath

Justruth - when I have to save/pay any amount of money I colour in squares (copyright hypno!!). All you need to do is draw out 80 squares worth £100 or if you want to colour in more often then do 160 squares worth £50 each (good at maths me!). Then, each time you save that amount you colour in a square. It works well for me as I like to visually see how well i'm doing. I'm glad you didn't get towed!

Wishing everyone on this thread a happy Christmas and here's to untold riches in 2010 xx

justruth

Thanks Mudbath, that's whay I am going to do. I had a great time, saw DD on Christmas day to give her a present and saw most of the family. I'm working tonight (now as it goes, so can't really complain) and I have a fair amount of work booked ready. I know which big items I want to buy for the flat and I have the full cost of all the dental treatment I need to get my teeth right back on track so no more emergencies! I'm working through a budget to see my student loan last me out and keeping work money for debt repayment and the extras like my teeth and bits for the flat. Feeling really positive!

Mudbath

Well you know your'e doing something right when you're feeling positive just after Christmas with all the costs that can entail! I'm also feeling pretty positive - we've just bought DS's main birthday present in the sale. That's when it's worth having a child with a birthday in January! We're just chilling out now during the school holidays....great for NSDs! Have a great New Year xx