As Lord Coe put it: “Prepare to be inspired. Prepare to be dazzled. Prepare to be moved by the Paralympic Games of London 2012.”

I am ready! Last nights opening ceremony was wonderful. It was extra exciting as my friends daughter was performing and my sister Joy and niece Talia were there. I am looking forward to seeing their photos.  I can’t wait to be in the stadium on Wednesday.

It is awe inspiring to see people overcoming adversity and making the best of their lives. Isn’t it what we all should be doing – treasuring each day and making it count.

Yesterday’s appointment with the renal consultant went very well. During the consultation she said ‘ you do realise that you were very very ill’. I smiled – I wanted to say ‘yes I lived it! She was very pleased that my blood results are stable and described my kidney function as good (if you can call 20% function good). We discussed my blood pressure tablets and she adjusted them again (more visits to the GP and pharmacy) We also discussed my diet and she said that I can now eat normal potassium – yippee tomatoes and bananas. But I need to continue to be careful of phosphates – mmmm cheese, milk, chocolate etc….  Steps in the right direction.

I left and my mind whizzed over the last 3 ½ years. What a journey it has been! I never thought that I could feel so well after all that has happened. I am so thankful for my life. I have scars and I get very tired. I am easily frustrated by what I can’t do but there is so much that I can do. Going back to the hospital always makes me reflect – I remember so clearly when I needed a wheelchair to get anywhere, where I carried my bucket because of sickness, where most days I was at the hospital for chemo or dialysis, where I was stared at because I had no hair and I was covered in tubes. Now I walk the corridors unaided having driven there myself, no one stares as I have no tubes and I have lots of hair. I am thankful.