Interview of GMTV

Here is the wee clip from GMTV

Good News

So today was the big day where I would find out whether or not I would be put on the waiting list for a lung transplant. So as mum and I walked into the room I was rather apprehensive as to what was going to be said particularly as I was working so hard to reach the necessary 40kg. So off I went and stepped on the scales and the final number was 39.3kg/6st 3 lb (which they were happy enough with provided it continued to increase) Apparently the average weight for my height 148cm /4ft 8.5in is 45kg-55kg.

So basically the consultant from Freeman Hospital, Newcastle said that there were a couple of things to consider.

Initially there had been a query over my liver as it was a bit enlarged. However after exploring this they were not too concerned. Phew

Next was getting the right mix of antibiotics that would work best for me afterwards if i was to receive a transplant. So the microbiologists in Newcastle have found a couple of good mixes and have just to find the BEST one that will work.

At the assessment back in August they had to check my blood type and it turns out that I am O+ so as this is the most common it will work in my favour if I was to be listed.

So at this stage I was feeling pretty ok about the situation as they had not said anything that made me feel like it wasn't going ahead. However they then proceeded to tell me that there are antibodies in my blood that would mean that 20% of organ donors would be a no go. At this point i was not sure where the whole thing was.

Then after giving me a quick summary the consultant basically told me that if I continued to progress with my weight gain they were happy enough and that I would be placed on the list by… THE END OF NEXT WEEK.

Will Keep You Updated

Tomorrow is the Day!!!

Ok so tomorrow is the big day where I will find out what the craic is with the whole transplant issue and whether or not they are going to list me for a double lung transplant. To be honest Im feeling quite mixed about the whole thing as after working so hard to get my weight up to what was required I want them to give me the go ahead.

The fundraising for the project is going really well and my new target is to reach £7000 by the end of Septemeber. Also if anyone would like to hold a fundraiser for the project please let me know as I would be only too delighted to pass on any info about the project that is required.

GMTV went well the other night oh and look out for the Sunday Life this week as I may make a wee appearance.

GMTV Interview

well just got out of hospital there this afternoon to complete my IV antibiotics at home. The good news is that my weight has reached the 39.8kg mark so the 40kg necessary for friday's appointment is within reach

Jane and Nicola from GMTV interviewed me this afternoon about the school and my fundraising I was dead nervous but the girls were great and put me right at ease (even if one of them was a Man U supporter!!!!) It goes out tomorrow at 6.35am, 7.05am and 8.05am (how inconsiderate, they clearly are not aware that Miss Barr does NOT do mornings)

On the publicity front had a phone call from Sunday Life and they coming tomorrow to do an article. Who knows next I'll have my own reality TV show

Hope with all this publicity I get more of the funds needed

All My Love
Char

p.s website is now up and running and can be found at http://www.charlenesproject.org/ so be sure and visit :)

Quick Update

Ok so I let the old man take over the blog last time lol :) but now I'm back. Got home for a little while today (so glad to see normality again). I'm feeling really good actually however I am still on Iv's but to be honest I'm ok with that as it means we nip things in the bud quickly. Im getting home for good on Monday.Thank Goodness! On the weight front things are good as im sitting at 38.4kg so me thinks a week at home with mum's cooking and I will be flying past the 40kg mark lol.
On the project side of things everything going well. Can't believe I will be welcoming GMTV to the house this week lol. Talk about being petrified but to be honest my attitude is it will be over soon lol and lets hope if I pass my first media challenge it will mean that there will be many to follow. Thanks guys for all your love and Prayers
Char
x

Portacath back in

This is Charlenes Dad, Dickie updating her Blog. Charlene is back in hospital and disappointed that she does not currently have internet access.

She went back into hospital on Tuesday for insertion of her portacath (the central line - that allows her to get her intravenous drugs easily when they are needed).

We all were a bit concerned as we didn't want her to have a GA with her chest as it obviously could have put her back weight wise with her appointment with the transplant sugeons coming up in about 10 days.

A lot of people prayed as she went down to theatres yesterday and the line went in easily under local.

Charlene was back in the ward and enjoying pizza last night. Her and her Mum had ordered so much pizza, there was even some left for me and Natalie when we visited later in the evening.

Although over all the medical staff are pleased with things, Charlene's white cell count is up a bit, so she has been started back on intravenous antibiotics again.

Her weight is over 38 kg so we are hopefully still on target for the 40 kg mark for her big appointment coming up with the transplant doctors.

The other big news is that GMTV want to interview Charelene - you can imagine the panic she is in - lol

We still need offers for coffee mornings, sponsored walks, table quizzes etc etc by many good folk to start the ball rolling well and truly with the fundraising.

Over 12,000 hits on this Blog - please please pass on about Charlenes blog site to all your friends and work colleagues so we make this all happen for her in Uganda.

Thanks, thanks, thanks for all your support and prayers.

Sorry For Lack Of Updates

Sorry I have not updated the blog in a while :(
Things are going really good and I am keeping well having been off IV antibiotics for about three weeks now (trust me that is a long time lol). I am still waiting on the transplant team coming over from England at the end of the month so until then I am continuing to work on getting my weight up to the 40 kg mark (who would have thought it would be so hard) Although I am currently well at the minute I am going into hospital tomorrow for a small operation this week so hopefully that will go well and I will be out soon. Things have been busy at home with everyone back to school and the likes so I am now really starting to get into the swing of things with the Charlene Project.

On the project side of things, it is all going great with the money continuing to come in (thanks folks) and also I have a few fundraising events in the pipeline. So it is all very exciting. I would ask that you guys keep praying for the teachers and pupils of Hidden Treasure Primary school and also the wee community that it is in as they literally have nothing. Thanks again guys for your contunied support and prayers
Charlene
xxx