The Gift Of Life:
Exactly one year ago today, I received my third liver transplant. It was a day of hope, nerves and excitement. Last night at the Live Loudly Gala Dinner, I spoke about how hard it was to make the decision to go ahead with that transplant. It was down to me to choose whether or not I would go ahead, and the possibility of me not doing it, was very real at a time. I knew how difficult it would be to recover from this transplant, mentally and physically. I knew how hard it can be to live with a transplant. But eventually, I signed the consent forms for my third liver transplant.
Since that day, my journey has been tough. It has also been amazing though. I want to reflect a little on just some of the moments from this year.
Firstly, a day before my third transplant, the Live Loudly Donate Proudly campaign Facebook Page went public. It was so rewarding to see how much it has grown and developed over the past year, and I am so grateful to everyone who has supported it in any way. Since then, we have added to the Facebook page with an Instagram, Twitter and our very own website (where you are right now).
Another thing which has been incredibly special this year, was the Transplant Games – which you can read about here. My last year in the Children’s Team, and such a surprise to have so much success. I am so excited to have been selected to represent G.B & N.I in the 2017 World Transplant Games in Malaga.
It has been my goal ever since I signed the consent forms for my third transplant, that I would get to the Malaga Games, and I will train my absolute hardest to get there – and be successful!
This year I also have achieved GCSE results that I am so happy with, and that I worked very hard to get in the time that I had. I have begun to work on my A Levels now, which means I am working towards my long term goal of studying medicine at university!
I will always keep my donor in mind, when I achieve, work towards or aspire to any kind of goal. My donor and their family are who have given me the chance to hope and aspire to those things. They have given me the chance to work for my goals, and hopefully, achieve them!
I hope everyone who attended our Gala Dinner last night had as good a time as I did! And I hope you have all had the conversation about organ donation today!
You sign up, I’m signing off,
Lucia x