Relieved to have grown up without this

All I can say is that I am so lucky that I managed to get through PID without being chronically sick throughout my childhood. Having done a lot of reading etc there are so many children struggling to fight this before they even get to adulthood, some don't make it at all.


I've managed to avoid deadly germs/bacteria/infections as a child, I have no idea how. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNH45QRffEY


If you're feeling brave watch this (I went through a packet of tissues):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-Bfu0SimME

My birthday

The 24th (Saturday) was my 25th birthday - something I had both been looking forward to and dreading. I feel a bit like Peter Pan in terms of not wanting to grow up. At least with a 12 year old brother there is little chance of me being allowed to be grumpy and losing my playful streak.


However, I went to a lovely country hotel on Friday evening and woke up to a massive breakfast, beautiful sunshine, time in the Jacuzzi and met by the family with a glass of wine. 


Newbury was beautifully sunny and the horses looked magnificent, with gleaming coats and the smell of saddle soap wafting from the parade ring. Despite missing my two little sisters, we had a lovely family day, joined by a lovely friend (George) who has stuck by me through thick and thin this year. The champagne flowed and we all seemed to have a couple of winners. 


The week before my birthday brought with it huge revelations, with the diagnosis of the antibody deficiency. Hopefully my birthday will kick off a new year of improved health and a bit more luck. 


Last week I also went to the 02 for the Gaucho Polo. Along with a dear friend, Imogen, we hit all of the after parties including the VIP bar, Veuve Cliquot, Gaucho VIP and Indigo2. We eventually got back at gone 5am with a Veuve Cliquot champagne bucket and a mystery bottle of champagne, the sign of a good night! Good friend Johnny Lynn of Polistas along with Amy Guy (aka Gladiator Siren), Karl Martinez and a whole host of party-goers kept us busy throughout the night and on the dance floor. All in all, it's been a good week and hopefully the start of an exciting year ahead.

The road to recovery

Just before lunchtime on Tuesday I had an emergency appointment to have the Pneumovax II vaccine. It contains 23 of the most common types of Streptococcous pneumoniae bacteria, responsible for causing invasive diseases such as the pneumonia that I'm currently suffering from. 

Why is this so significant?

Antibodies help the body recognise and kill foreign organisms. They then remain in the body to protect it against future infections, with the immune system providing different antibodies for different diseases. The vaccine releases small amounts of these 23 strains of bacteria and the immune system is then kicked into action to provide antibodies as a defence against them. These antibodies should then remain in the body and protect it from each of those 23 strains. Hopefully this will help and will mean that I can start to plan things ahead. At the moment even if i plan things a few days in advance, I still can't guarantee that i'll be well enough to go. It's very frustrating.


I had to pop into A&E at the Royal Berkshire Hospital last night (Thursday) as I was finding it very difficult to breathe with the pneumonia pain. I was there for 2 or 3 hours whilst they gave me a nebuliser and helped to relax my chest and open the airways . The nurse looked at me very strangely, she was looking at my grazed knucles. I took the skin off them playing polo and being a bit adventurous with some of my shots up in Scotland with some of the girls from St Andrews and local players. 


I've been sick all night, keeping my mother up. Thank you mummy :) Fingers crossed I will be feeling better today as it's my birthday tomorrow. 

Congratulations Emily

Before I start to update you all with where I am with my health, I thought I'd say a quick thank you to all of the St Andrews University Golf girls and boys, and all of the other sports club members and students who voted for my little sister, Emily, at the recent elections. She is the new St Andrews UniversityAthletic Union President Elect. http://standrewsradio.com/news/1130/meet-your-next-athletic-union-president-emily-griffiths

This is a pic of me at the Golf Ball...I hope I'm well enough to pop up again this year!

Hello

Hi all,


I hope that you are all tucked up in bed (well those in the UK anyway). I, obviously, am not. For the umpteenth night in a row I'm lying in bed, eyes wide open and no chance that I will fall asleep in the next hour or so. 


This evening (Tuesday 20th March), I saw my immunologist to collect and discuss the details of my tests. It has taken over a year to get this far which I was horrified at considering I have had private healthcare ergo shorter waiting times but what I find more disturbing is that it can take 4 years maybe even longer for some people to reach this stage.


I am writing this to make conversations that much easier for everyone and also to let you all know how I am without you having to ask questions that you may find difficult. It may also help to explain how/why I've slipped under the radar...unfortunately I have not been seconded to M15 on a secret mission as someone suggested.


That's all for now folks. Shortly, or more accurately when I can pluck up the courage, I will explain what I learnt tonight at the hospital.


x