Recognising how far I've come.

Once again, the last few weeks have been filled with ups and downs. But I have been able to recognise how far I've come.

We really have been very busy. Nearly two weeks ago, Angus turned 2! I can't believe my little baby is growing up. We had a busy few days with Mum and Dad arriving. We had a little morning tea with family on the weekend so there was lots of baking (as well as some cupcakes for his actual birthday which he spent at daycare). It was a lovely weekend. Then on the Monday I had a job interview. I was surprised that I got an interview after applying for the role, since it was a little out of my previous experience. I know everyone finds job interviews stressful, but I don't think that I did quite enough (especially since I haven't heard anything, which I'm assuming means I haven't got the role). 

The fish cake

Angus enjoying some cake

 Tuesday we had a HUGE day. I took the kids off to see the Queensland Symphony Orchestra's kiddies concert. We drove into Southbank and made it to the venue. Charlotte loved it - there was a ballerina, and violins, and tuba's. They do a good show. Angus unfortunately, cried pretty much the whole way through although he did stop to clap. Afterwards we went to the lagoon and had a play in the water, followed by lunch. It was a lovely day. We all had a little lie down when we got home, which is when I realised Charlotte was running a temp. Overnight she got worse (38.9 at one point) so the next morning we had to take her off to the doctor.

With one dose of antibiotics she was already on the mend. So that afternoon on a whim (well not really, it is something we have talked about for ages), we went and adopted a new kitten! Her name is Abby, and she is adorable. Charlotte LOVES her. Possibly a little too much. The poor thing has been put in the dolls cradle, the shopping trolley, the sleeping bag, the dolls house, and carried around like she is a toy.

A very happy Charlotte and Abby the kitten

Also on Wed. I made the decision to lower the dex. I'd been feeling so good, and with the easter long weekend coming up I knew I had a few days with James around to try and wean. Thursday afternoon the withdrawals started to hit me. The fatigue became a lot worse. Friday we had a quiet day (although I did make hot cross buns); Saturday I managed a trip to the shops in the morning but that was it. James took the kids off to Bunnings in the afternoon to give me a break. I was really struggling. Sunday was even worse. I spent half the day in bed with an upset tummy. It wasn't quite how I wanted to spend easter. However by evening I was feeling better.

Monday things were improving and we had yet another big day out to GOMA and the Qld Museum. Today I am feeling a lot better. I am still tired, but I think I am over the worst of the withdrawals. I am a bit dizzier than I would like although I have only had to take the occasional anti-nausea tablet.

Even a few months ago, there is no way that I could have managed half of what the last week held. I was too scared to do something like take the kids out alone in case I couldn't cope. Yet I managed and we had a great day. A few months ago I wouldn't have even thought about applying for a job, let alone go to an actual interview. And even though last weekend was really (really) rough, I bounced back quicker than I have before and I'm hopeful that I'll start feeling energetic again. Even at the gym I have to realise how much I can now do. Last week I leg pressed 110kg. Just under a year ago, I couldn't walk.

I am feeling a little emotional at the moment. The anniversary of my hospitalisation is approaching, and it is playing on my mind. But this milestone just serves to highlight what I've been through, and how far I've come.