The 21st & 22nd; I won!

 The 21st of November.

This evening I am tired and my body hurts. Doesn't bode well for long periods of time in the wheelchair over the next two days. Oh well, I will just have to dope myself up on sugar and coffee so I'm too buzzed to care.

Loads of crochet today, to the point at which my arm aches. This is me having a rest. Mainly working on Daddy's present, which I'm not entirely sure is going to plan but I think I'll only know when I get to the end. I think it's going to be okay but we'll see!

Once again, Mommy wenf out this afternoon, so back to her present and The Walking Dead. She had excellent timing, returning home just as I finished a significant section of the pattern. It's not something I've ever made before and it's quite confusing so I'm just praying it all works out. I'm really gambling with my gifts this year.

Oh god I want to go to bed.

The 22nd of November.

Today began with a bang.

We were on our way to Wylde Green station, bags ready for our trip to London for the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards. We had barely got to the main road, when Mommy tripped over her toe and went down flat on her front. She got up straight away, brushed it off, and we got on our train to New Street. However, upon inspection of her wrist it became apparent that some medical intervention would be required. She had a swelling appearing and pain radiating up her arm, so it was decided that we would get the train to Euston, and once there she would go across the road the to the very convenient A&E, Daddy and I would go to the hotel, and we'd communicate as the afternoon progressed.

It turned out that she'd chosen an excellent time to injure herself, because while Daddy and I were still in the cab to the hotel, she was texting me to say she'd had x-rays and seen a doctor and was having a cast put on (she's fractured her left wrist)! So efficient.

We checked in and made our way up to our rooms, then I ate my free cookie that you get when you stay in a Hilton Doubletree, slowly unpacked and got changed into my dress for the evening.

Mommy arrived, complete with a temporary cast and a sling, bless her. She has to go and have it looked at by the QE next week. Christine arrived shortly after, and did a quick change so we could get to the Tower of London for six o'clock.

Unfortunately, they didn't want to let us in until half past, so we returned to the hotel (it was only five minutes away) and sat in their lobby until it was time to go back. Sigh!

Negotiating the cobblestones around the tower in my wheelchair was not fun at all, but it was nice to get to look around when it was so quiet. We arrived at The New Armouries (where I was incredibly grateful for pavement) and were greeted by many Anthony Nolan people. Upstairs, we found programmes and our name badges, and went inside for drinks and nibbles and shmoozing before the awards began. I saw Henny first, so I went to say hi and introduced her to my family, then I started chatting with Simon, and Lucy came over. We talked for a while, then I ended up talking to a lady who is a trustee and her husband who'd been talking to my parents, and she'd had a transplant in 1995 so we had many stories to swap.

I suddenly became aware of people being ushered towards the seating area, and it was time for the awards to begin. Lucy Siegle (from The One Show) was presenting, and my category was up first. I am delighted to be able to tell you that I won! Thankfully I didn't have to speak (I probably would have cried), just collect my (surprisingly heavy) award, pose for a couple of photos, and return to my place. I spent the rest of the evening clapping, except for during the Journalist of the Year category because my friend Hannah won so I did extra whooping and cheering for her! I knew she was coming but had no idea she'd won so I was thrilled for her.

Once all the awards had been given out, I ended up talking to Lucy Siegle for the rest of the time we had left, essentially trying to wangle a spot on The One Show because any promo I can get I will take. I'm sure there are viewers who are eligible donor types.

The yeomen started to get quite insistent that we all leave, so I had a quick conversation with Horacio, then we collected our coats and made our escape from the tower.

Very tired. Very happy. Very grateful. Two months ago, I was in A&E, getting admitted for what turned out to be one of the scariest infections of my life. Now here I am, celebrating all that I've survived with the people that got me through. I know I complain a lot, but I am so fortunate to have what I do, and I couldn't be more thankful.