Me and my journey through kidney disease . . . .

It  is with great sadness that I am writing this blog. My Dad, Terry Carroll, passed away on the 31st August following a cardiac arrest on Helston Bowling Green on the 24th August. We take great comfort in the fact that he was doing what he loved. Dad was taken to hospital by air ambulance and had his heart restarted, however, his brain was without oxygen for too long and we were told by the doctors that he was very unlikely to survive.   After three days with no response from dad, the doctor introduced us to the donor nurse. As you know, all of my family are advocates for organ donation, but we never thought for a minute that we would be on the other side of that conversation. Dad had been on the donor register for many years, long before I was unwell, and had made his wishes very clear, therefore we said yes.   The fact that dad wished to donate his organs meant that there was a delay before the doctors took dad off his ventilator, 12 hours or so.  We discovered that dad

On the 23rd March I had a surprise call from Pirate FM .  Unknowingly to me, Trevor had nominated me for a Pirate FM Local Hero Award for Sporting Achievement and I had won!!  Trevor and I were filmed on the 6th April by Pirate FM and they created this clip to show at the awards ceremony as to why I had won this award: Trevor and I were given four tickets to the black tie awards ceremony so we took along my mum, without whom I wouldn't have won the award and my brother Jon. We arrived at the Tregenna Castle Hotel at 7pm where I was presented with a sash to show that I was one of the winners for the night and we then went into the lounge where there was champagne and nibbles on tap! Trev, Me, Mum and Jon on arrival at the awards After the drinks reception we proceeded through to dinner.  Each table had one award winner, the sponsor of that award and representatives from Pirate FM. We had a lovely meal and were then entertained by Stooshe before the

SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES! Another year has passed but this year with several significant milestones!    In August I reached the ripe old age of 40!  I have no idea how I got so old so very quick!  Where has the time gone!   In December I celebrated my 10th year working with/for Frugi  they started out as one of my clients when I was self employed and now I'm their full time Finance Director.  A job I absolutely love!  (Most days!!)   Earlier this month Trev and I celebrated 15 years together!  We have such a laugh all of the time, no day is ever dull!   Finally today is the fifth anniversary of my kidney transplant, an important day in my calendar.  Everyday I live without the need for dialysis is such a gift.    I am fit, healthy and live everyday to the full.  I am so very privileged and wouldn't be in this position without my mum, my donor.  Thank you mum.   Mum and I at the British Transplant Games - August 2015 THE WORLD TRANSPLANT GAMES Last