OK so I'm back on planet IHD after my travels (and trevails) and recovery and work and all the rest. Just a few comments.
First if this was Facebook I owuld have "liked"most of the above posts. thank you all for your comments. about the event.
I can only speak for myself, but it was such a wonderful pleasure, in so many ways, for me to get over there to visit my old "stomping grounds" of Cambridge, but way more importantly to meet friends old (Cariad, Gwyn, Karen) and new-at least in person (Sugar & Drew, Dyl & Aidan the really great offspring of Cariad & Gwyn), Cas & Tony (thanks for the tea!
) and of course our dear Poppy and Paul!!!
that is the last time I am roped into standing up and giving a lame-ass speech!!! Seriously.. I got roped into it in 2011, and again in 2014. I don't DO speeches people.. just because I have a funny accent and now have the moniker of "the resident of the teaser box" seriously... it is so not my thing.
Having written that.. - as Sugar noted - to have our two wonderful live donors there, along with those of us who have received wonderful gifts, and our supporters/partners was so special. Gwyn and Poppy should never ever underestimate how wonderful they are and how they have changed lives - not just of their partners - but for so many other connected people - family/friends etc for their selfless acts. Bravo!
When, during the champagne (who kept filling my glass when I wanted to stick to the water?!
) soaked moments Sugar broached the subject of how many kidneys were at our table, it did really hit home all of us with the usual plus one or two, and those who had given. To all be able to be there, eating food, drinking and carrying on was really so special. Certainly I wouldn't have been able to be there were it not for the generosity of a family I'll never know.
Our little group symbolised, for me, one thing I think EPOman, IHD's founder (RIP) would have been so proud of - not only members and famlies getting together, but also the spirit shown of all of us to *live life!* and not let this disease get us down no matter where we are at. I so admired Casandra's spirit and determination, with Tony, to make this work for her - and to share thoughts on NXStage with Sugar and Drew - while those of us with happy beans could enjoy the chocolate pudding and extra drinks. Fantastic!
Poppy do not worry I do not have any pictures of you - I tried to take some but my camera refused. It kept flashing up messages saying "She's way too pretty to be on your phone sunshine!" - damn these smart phones are getting ever so smart. That it works for me at all is a miracle
To Iona - don't sweat it re the food and meal. We shared around and enjoyed it, and really it was fine. Honestly on the night our biggest concern was not knowing, and of course hoping it wasn't something like a hospital admission.. w understand you would have been there if you could.. It is very understandable. Don't worry, next year you can make up for it!!!
Being back in the UK, which is always special for me as a "distant cousin" (and no, I don't have any convicts in my family tree) there's something special about the UK and it's people I adore, and our new, yet old, friends brought the spirit to life - no matter where they were from.
thank you one and all - and cheers again to Sugar for organising everything - it made it all go very smoothly and so much fun. Bravo!!
I definitely vote for another event next year - I heard Blackpool suggested. hey, works for me.. but let's face it when I travel over 13,000 miles to get there (and same back) it could be the isle of Skye and I'd be fine with it. All part of the adventure!
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