In all honesty I am somewhat frustrated at the moment. Let's not forget that in the grand scheme my bowel transplant is going well and the new transplanted bowel is making good progress. That still hasn't prevented my frustration from rearing its ugly head. Why you may ask well it is the constant grind of being sick daily and the yuk feeling that comes with it. I guess that I can now say I know what continual morning sickness is like. Ok maybe I don't but you get the picture.

I am taking all the meds at the right time and doing all that is being asked of me but I keep wanting a little more progress. Then reality sets in and I talk to the team at Oxford and they keep reminding me that it is early days. Yes I know and I am probably repeating myself endlessly but when you are at home most of the time or not yet able to do everything that you would like frustration rears its head all too often.

I read that when recovering from any surgery and particularly my kind of transplant that exercise continues to be very important. I don't think that my dog has been for so many walks in all his life. When it comes to his third walk in the day he does sometimes look at me from his basket and it seems he is saying oh for goodness sake its flipping cold out there and I'm comfy in my bed. Actually he is more like me than you might think as once he gets off his backside he can't wait to get going. It may take a bit to get me moving but once I do hey there is no stopping me!! When I look back on all of this though I do realise how things have changed. For my first ten or so ops you were told to stay in bed and not to move until the bowel starts on its own accord. I could be in bed for two or three weeks before I started walking around. Now they get you up the next day and I am out exercising every day.

This bacterial problem also seems to be taking a while to go away. I have been told though that it might now take a few months to sort out so I really need a bit more patience. Probably need more than I actually have at the moment. Am learning to try and chill out a bit more about it all just some days it does annoy me.

Hopefully I have managed to build up enough distractions in the day to keep me going. Between trying to grow this blog, learn more about social media and build the makings of a business. Doing all of this is in itself huge progress. It stimulates the mind and ensures that bowel transplant is not the only language I speak during a day. It is amazing how much you can learn even with a small brain like mine. I do think in fact I know that my family believe I am a little obsessed but everything I read seems to be based around learning and doing things on line so why not give it a go. Remember I am starting from a very low base.

Ok finally before I go I must share a little bit of good news. I have now received my official confirmation that on 8th July I will be an Olympic Torch Bearer. I am an incredibly lucky man to have been nominated and selected and don't deserve it. However I am not going to turn it down. I am simply the front man for all you guys. Family, friends, the team at Oxford and of course fellow patients. This one is for all of you!

Till the next time x

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