More cash in the pot

23rd October 2006

Apparently people actually read this blog.....had better try and make it interesting..!!

So, this week, I've had my ultra sound (in fact, I had two, because they couldn't see
my gall bladder, and so had to use a more powerful ultra sound machine). I have to say
that it hurt like hell. The gall bladder was "hiding" in my ribcage (I thought the ribcage was
supposed to protect vital organs, and therefore, it's where the gallbladder should be....
but what do I know!?)

My darling niece, Abigail turned 18 on Friday - good ole Aunty Rach duly took her to the
pub for her first legal drink.....(at lunchtime, come on!!)

I've had more donations to my fundraising - Mike Cooke, Dave Williamson and Martin Nash all made very generous donations.....thank you so much. The pot is almost up to SIX HUNDRED POUNDS now!!

Ladies night tickets are selling well - it is looking like being a very good night!

Unfortunately, the printers of my quiz book let me down, so the 450 books I thought I was going to have to sell in time for Christmas now don't look like they're going to materialise. Annoyed?! Me?! Just a touch - after putting in so much effort to put them together (all 200 questions!) I'm now desperately looking for someone else who will print them cheaply for me.(suggestions on a postcard).

Training is still lacking somewhat- the motivation when you're ill ridiculously low. But I've made a decision to get my exams out of the way (This is a really GREAT couple of months!!) and then start training properly.

I don't think this entry has been very entertaining - see what pressure you people put me under!?! I will try harder next time..!!

One year to go......

18th October 2007

Exactly one year today I will be flying out of Heathrow to Beijing.....
How flipping scary is that!!?!?

I'm still suffering quite a bit, but trying to walk at least a mile each day
so that I keep a bit of momentum up! I have my ultra sound at GRH
tomorrow morning, so hopefully that will enlighten me as to whether i
have gall stones, stomach ulcer or something worse.
Fingers Crossed all....!!

I've been away for a couple of days on a course with work, but when I
got back, I was shocked, not only at the 93 E-mails waiting for me, but
also some very generous young man has donated ONE HUNDRED POUNDS
to me. Not only is this extremely generous, but when you bear in mind that
this man has never met me, and only spoken to me on the internet, it is
even more amazing. He comes from my spiritual home (Newton Abbot!!) and
is desperately trying to entice me back there....one day, maybe!
So, Thank you, Nigel Barber for your VERY generous donation.
x

it's getting closer.....

7th October 2006

Oh dear me, it's October.....That means that this time in 12 months it will be almost
time to go to the airport...!!!

I had a letter from Discover Adventure this morning - the people organising the trip,
to let me know that the flights have changed, and I'm now going to be flying out on
18th October 2007 - a whole day earlier than planned!!!

For anyone who hasn't seen me this year, you probably won't know that i've been
quite ill. The latest thinking from the doctor is that I have gall stones - so I am waiting
for an ultra sound to see if I have, and if I have, how big they are (Size DOES matter!)
Hopefully this will all get sorted fairly soon, as at the moment, my motivation to walk
any further than a mile is sadly lacking!!

I've had blood tests, wee tests, antibiotics, swabs, and scans......I think we can safely
say that I'm getting my monies worth from the NHS this year.....but, quite honestly,
I'd rather not!!!!

so - only 9 days to go until I announce to the rest of the world what I'm doing - I will
make the announcement exactly 12 months before I'm due to go......I am so scared.
No idea what I'll be like next year!!

I got in touch with a lady who did the trek last year, and she reassured me that I don't
need to be superfit - but she also said that it was completely amazing. That the views are
breathtaking and the whole experience is something that I'll never forget. I truly hope so,
I doubt that I'll get to do anything like this again, so I will be taking lots of photos.