British Transplant Games. Bath 2010

Wow. Just wow.... How can 5 days mean so much? This year Bethany competed in the British Transplant Games in Bath. Last year we went for the very first time, shortly after her transplant, as supporters.

By now you know me well. You know I can wax lyrical when it comes to special and poignant moments. But, as ever, I have what seems to be several thousand photos so I am hoping that they speak volumes for me.

Let me start by telling you that just a week before we went to the British Transplant Games Bethany was in hospital being treated for pneumonia. She had to have 7 days of IV antibiotics and was more ill than she's been for quite a while. Her sats dropped during the night on more than one occasion when they had to wake her and sit her up to help bring them up. Although it barely altered her blood test results in relation to her liver it was a worrying time as this sort of illness can so easily go downhill very quickly in a transplant patient. More worryingly, the pneumonia didn't show up in standard tests, her chest sounded clear. Both our wonderful GP and more than one doctor at the hospital decided that the symptoms were probably the after effect of a recent cough as it takes so long for Bethany to recover from infections due to being immune suppressed. Often, long after the infection is gone, Bethany is still suffering the effects. And, to be honest, we agreed it was probably nothing but we have to be so careful with her health because, as I've already said, she can nosedive quickly and without warning. Thank goodness the doctor requested a chest xray, just to be cautious. It showed a menacing shadow on her lung ("How can a shadow be menacing?" I hear you cry? Well it can when it's a part of my Bethany!). There was an immediate buzz and at 3am they started IV antibiotics. And thanks to their quick actions, the drugs dealt with the infection and she was allowed out of hospital 3 days later. Sadly, in that time (and the following few days recovering at home) she missed out on planned outings to special places with special friends. She seems to have spent so much of this holiday being ill.

Now I know I promised I wouldn't go on but I want to bear the preceeding week in mind when you read on.

Both Bethany and Eloise were very excited in the run up to the games. Both asked, on a regular basis, how many sleeps until they would get to stay in the hotel and take part in the games. Eloise so often gets left out because Bethany's health has to be considered. We particularly built her up for the siblings race, making sure she understood the week was for ALL of us, not just Bethany, and that siblings are as valued as the transplantees. So with that in mind, we also answered the question, "Is it time for my race yet?" many, many times!

The first day was mostly spent travelling. We got to the meeting place for our team at 7.30am. Imagine what time we got up! We got to the hotel afer 3pm. As you can see, we had the usual, quiet and very civilised journey - oh hang on, Eloise was... erm... Eloise!

After a brief time in the hotel to unpack and refuel we headed to the opening ceremony. The weather literally rained on our parade! Bethany found it difficult to deal with the crowds and the rain only made things worse so it made for an emotional start to the games, in more ways than one. It's always (she says, as if it's not only the second time ever!) a wonderful and emotional experience to join in the opening ceremony and try to take in the miracle of life all around. Everyone at the ceremony has been touched by organ donation, whether recipients, donors, donor families, recipient families or staff and volunteers. I wish I could put it into words for you. Imagine looking around a HUGE crowd of people and knowing that just a few years ago this couldn't possibly exist and that many of the people in the crowd would not be here, would have families and friends mourning the loss of them. I think, looking back at both transplant games that we have attended, the opening ceremony is by far the most amazing and miraculous part of the whole event. The sheer feeling of team spirit and the bond between every single member of the crowd is amazing. And it wouldn't be possible without organ donors, without ordinary people who care enough to say yes.

The opening ceremony begins with each team walking in a procession around the streets of the host city and ends up with a ceremony, this time in Bath Abbey. During the ceremony I found myself in tears several times and hugged both the girls over and over, grateful that we had that moment to share.

Bethany struggled to cope with the opening ceremony but thankfully felt a bit better, as you can see by this photo, as we headed back to the team coach, proud to be in charge of our team banner!

The next day Bethany competed in the obstacle course. It was the first race that she competed in and it was very difficult for her. She struggled to keep up with the other kids and she also struggled with the crowds, having to leave the sports hall frequently to calm down. It didn't make it any easier when they called her for the finals but then said they'd made a mistake when she reported. My heart ached for her as it all got too much and she left for some alone time again.

Eloise, on the other hand, was her usual, social butterfly, self! She enjoyed watching the races, making friends with our team mates around us and... oh yes - asking if it was her turn yet every 3 minutes!

I was so proud of Bethany for coming back in and competing in the family event, especially after how difficult the morning had been for her. She had great fun joining in with the various exercises which made up the family event, and also enjoyed laughing at me having a go! Eloise loved getting to join in and being included and also took turns to marvel laugh at me competing.

After the events ended and competitors filed out of the hall we found ourselves with some time on our hands. A few of our team were also hanging around and the kids played together, setting up pretend races. Bethany finally relaxed more once the competition had been removed and this was just for fun, although she still found it difficult to be with other children. It was great to find ourselves with team members without the pressure of time. So much of the games is taken up listening to make sure we don't miss a race and trying to cram snacks in before we move to the next place. The moments of spare time where we get to catch up are little havens of sanity!

Back at the hotel the girls and their friends played in the recreation area and Eloise was transformed into a butterfly by a member of staff. We found out the hard way - after 2 baths and several scrubs - that the paint was rather fond of her face and didn't want to leave! She spent the next 2 days with one yellow eyebrow and one pink one!

The next day we had a lovely time exploring the centre of Bath and it's parks, along with another transplant family. We were fortunate enough to have a whole day without transplant games events. As much as we love being part of the competitions and cheering on our team members (and everyone, really, as we have so many friends in other teams too), the friendships we build are even more important than the games. It's a unique chance, once a year, to be with people who understand what you are going through without having to speak a word. So to enjoy a day out with members of our transplant family, without pressure, is a pleasure and a joy.

We watched some people canoeing in the river alongside the park then realised they were competing in the transplant games so stayed there long enough to scream at cheer them on and wave.

We saw some interesting trees, met some interesting people and chuckled at a deck chair with a tear that looked like a smiley face. :)

The kids had a wonderful time playing, eating ice cream and exploring. Unfortunately it all became too much for Bethany and we had to stop in a little cafe while the other family went on ahead to explore Bath more. Bethany often gets pain in her legs and abdomen. I think the combination of playing with friends and the fact that she was still recovering from pneumonia really knocked the stuffing out of her. So we had a break and some cake! The cafe overlooked the river and we had fun debating which balloon would win the race - 2 balloons had been dropped in the river and were being swirled around in the current.

Our team won several medals that day, including golds. Successful day all round, I'd say.

The next day was the final day of the games. It involved track and field events during the day then a gala dinner in the evening. Bethany was competing in the 50m dash, long jump and ball throw. It was a hot day, a little too hot, but much more welcome than the predicted rain as the entire event was outdoors!

The 50m dash came first. Bethany excitedly and nervously lined up at the starting line while I stood at the finishing post, eager to cheer her on. She didn't come first, I'm not even sure where she came, I was just so happy that she enjoyed it. Her placing didn't matter, it mattered that she coped and understood that this should be fun, not a torment. We went to see friends (Holly in lower picture) between the 50m dash and the next event. The girls love Holly - Eloise frequently tells me how wonderful Holly is and how impressed she is that Holly wears pink! So they were over the moon to see her again and we got to meet up with new friends too.

We headed back to our team for lunch and to prepare for the long jump. Imagine our surprised to be told that Bethany made it to the finals of the 50m dash! Bethany was dubious and asked that they double check that she was definitely in the finals - the pain of being called for the finals previously then being told it was an error fresh in her mind. So they double checked. And it was correct. Wow.

Bethany ate a quick snack and lined up ready for the finals of the 50m dash. The excitement built up and I raced to the finish line (around the outside, I'd like to point out, not down the track!). The race before Bethany's got underway and I could see her lined up behind them, ready to go. My heart was thumping in my chest and I was shaking with nerves for her. I'm not sure who was the most nervous! When it came time for her to race I managed to get a shaky video clip - shaky because it's hard to focus on a tiny person in the distance when you are wobbly with nerves. Bethany was up against all of the winners from the heats so it was doubtful that she was going to win but she was so proud of herself for getting into the finals - and so was I. I have no idea where she was placed, I know she didn't get first. I know that I don't care. All that matters is that this child, this child who was too lethargic to run, jump, skip, sometimes even walk before her transplant, this child just competed in the transplant games AND made it into the finals.

Next came the long jump. Bethany enjoyed competing although was annoyed with herself for not jumping over 1 metre. How hard is this child on herself?! She is a superstar, she pushes herself so hard. I wish she could see just what a miracle she is rather than always wanting that next milestone.

We had a bit of spare time before moving onto the next event. The kids used the time wisely by wearing themselves out racing!

This is Holly and Andrea, standing with the Live Life Then Give Life banner. LLTGL is a wonderful charity dedicated to raising awareness of organ donation and transplantation.

Holly and Bethany with the LLTGL banner.

Bethany and a friend chatted about Bethany's recent inpatient stay as they waited for the ball throw event to start. Bethany proudly wore her hospital bracelet despite no longer being inpatient. She sees it as a badge of honour. :)

We raced for the early coach back to the hotel after Bethany competed in the ball throw. We were all tired, sweaty and soooo ready for a rest before the gala dinner in the evening. After a bath, spruce up and a snack we were ready to go. We travelled on the team coach which got the event off to a good start. The rain seemed to be against us. Can I just say, rain + naturally frizzy hair = Mummy who is not impressed with the undoing of over an hours preparation. It's a good job I'm not proud!

Remember the emotions I described during the opening ceremony? Well the gala dinner is just as emotional. The celebration of each and every person, whether they are called up for a trophy or simply with their team, is amazing. There is a strong competition in the room between the different transplant teams from different hospitals from all over the UK yet they all cheer for each other. The organisers present a slideshow of photographs taken at various events during the whole of the transplant games on a big screen and everyone breaks off from eating to cheer and whoop as the photos change over. The whole night is a magical experience and the perfect ending to such a special few days. By the time the coach came to take us back to the hotel we were exhausted but sad to leave so early - but not before we got chance to meet Pudsey Bear.

On the way back to the hotel the rain was torrential and we passed 2 accidents on the journey. There were emergency services at the scenes and I remember thinking, "I hope with all of my heart and all of my soul that no one was critically injured.... but if they were, I hope they were organ donors." The next day we set off home on the team coach, exhausted but happy. The return journey was much quieter than the outward one, with many people sleeping. There was a quiet calm (apart from the occasional song and joke) and time to reflect on the last few days.

We've met up with good friends and made new ones, we've grown closer with some of the staff and shared special moments with people who mean so much to us. And none of this would be possible without the selfless act of organ donation. None of these miracles would be alive today. None of these celebrations would exist, none of these friendships, bonds and special moments. To all those who have already donated and to all those who one day will... THANK YOU.