Let's get things back on track.......

So, it has been a while since I have posted anything, the last couple of weeks have been crazy busy.

I finished the 31km for Lifeblood and after it was pretty exhausted, thank you to everyone who has donated so far, I smashed my target for Lifeblood and have raised £1070- let's hope it continues.

I then was able to tread the boards again. Prior to my knee surgery and subsequent VTE episodes I performed on the stage and this was something I didn't really think I would be able to do again- I performed in the Come Dancing Concert at the Theatre Royal Stratford East, it was great to be doing what I love again, I apologise to all those in the cast, especially in the girls dressing room who had to deal with me sat on the floor in the interval and between shows with my leg shoved in the air trying to drain the blood! My post thrombotic syndrome was hurting but it was certainly worth it and I was sensible after the show and kept active and my leg elevated. The post- show blues has just about subsided and I am able now to focus again on Thrombosis Support and what I want to do moving forward.

I have been lucky enough that alongside my fundraising for Lifeblood I have been able to raise a little money for Thrombosis Support, which will help greatly towards setting up the website, forum and local support groups- you can also donate on this blog if you feel able to and I must say a big thankyou to Sonya Raymond for her generous donation today.

As I have previously said I want Thrombosis Support to be for those affected by Thrombosis and so welcome any input. My aim is to provide support, via the web, forums, information, local support groups, support grants etc. to those affected by Thrombosis, it changes lives, and unfortunately takes away lives and I know that there is a need and want to offer support.

If you have any ideas, thoughts, wants, needs related to this please contact me either leave a comment on the blog or request to join the Thrombosis Support Facebook Group

My next few tasks are the forum, website and contacting local hospitals about setting up support groups via the anti-coag clinics- I shall report back on my progress.

Thanks for reading!

Help me, help you, help others, help themselves

Final Video blog showing my journey to 31km!

Day 5 Fundraising done!

So I have done it- I have completed 31km in 5 days for Lifeblood, the Thrombosis Charity.
I am so pleased to have done it, I am super tired. Here's how I did it:


Monday
Cycling 6km
Running 1km
Swimming 1km
Total 8km


Tuesday
Cycling 5km
Running 1km
Total 6km


Wednesday
Cycling 5km
Running 1km
Total 6km


Thursday
Cycling 5km
Running 1km
Swimming 1km
Total 7km


Friday
Cycling 3km
Running 1km
Total 4km




I am off tomorrow to Kefalonia for a long weekend break to see my cousin, a well deserved rest I think.  When I get back I am going to edit together my video blogs into one to show my journey and try to get some more sponsorship. Thank you to all those who have sponsored me so far.


If you are able to give anything, even just a £1 please please go to my page, www.justgiving.com/johnsonkatherineelizabeth.

Day 4 27km done! me swimming & everything!

So it is the end of day 4, and I have covered 27km of my target 31km in 5days for National Thrombosis Week, for Lifeblood.


Today I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people, people who I have never met, who don't know me, he know me only as James' partner. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou. The money you are donating will help Lifeblood to continue to do the amazing work raising awareness of Thrombosis. This is just the beginning for me, I am so proud that I have been able to achieve this, I know I haven't finished yet, but I also know that I will. When I was in the hospital, when I was in the wheelchair I never imagined that I would be able to cycle, run, swim, so that I am doing it one year on is amazing.


I am going to be setting up Thrombosis Support, an organization that works primarily to support those affected by Thrombosis, emotionally, factually and financially. That is the next project, there will I am sure be more fundraising to come for that, and I have certainly proved this week that I am able to do something. I have set up a support my blog tab, at the top of this blog, if you are able to give something, I would be most grateful. The next step for Thrombosis Support is the website & forum and this costs. 


Please help me, help you, help others, help me


Thanks for reading

Day 3- Tired, but still powering through

So I have just got back from the gym, and I have done 6km today so am still on target for my 31km in 5 day challenge.


Whilst in the gym I was doing my strength exercises,stretching and listening to Jessie J 'Big White Room', it brought back lots of memories of being in hospital, of laying in the hospital bed in so much pain, not being able to breathe, not being able to walk, not being able to be me.


I have come on so far from those days, and I can't even believe it was me, it feels so unreal. For any of you who know me, and saw me in that hospital bed, or pushed me in my wheelchair, who helped me try to begin to walk again, who have been the support for my leg when I have needed to elevate it, look at where I am now, please help me to give back to Lifeblood so this doesn't happen to someone else. DVT's & PE's are preventable and treatable, I am lucky I am sill here, so many people don't get that chance. For those of you who don't know me, and are reading this blog, firstly thankyou. I am just one person trying to give something back. This week is raising money for Lifeblood, moving forward I want give support to those affected by thrombosis. If you have been affected by thrombosis please contact me, tell me your story, tell me what you need, what you think will help. I am full of ideas, and I want to make these a reality.


Help me, help you, help others, help me..................

NTW- Day Two Fundraising

So it is 22:40 I have recently got in from teaching and it is safe to say I am knackered! I started off my day in the gym and did 5km cycling & 1km running, so I have done my goal of 6km today horray!! In total I have done 14km of my 31km target, which isn't bad on only day two.  After my gym session I was in the office for a bit then headed home for some food, and leg rest before going to teaching. I was sat with my older class today and told them briefly about what I am doing and about what has happened to me in the last year and half, their faces really showed the enormity of it. These children are between 15 & 18, and I don't think any of them knew about thrombosis, what it was, how it can kill you and how quickly it can come on.  I wasn't trying to scare them, and I think they know that, it is just about awareness, we spoke about Lifeblood's latest campaign and it felt good that I was able to have a really honest conversation with these children and hopefully they will take that on and maybe tell others.  I personally think the next challenge is making young people more aware of thrombosis.  For so long it has been seen as something you get if your old and can't move, or if you go on planes alot. It isn't, anyone can get a bloodclot, healthy, active, young, old, anyone, and people need to be more aware of it, and to stop it, and if it happens, to treat it and keep going!

Please, please go to my page www.justgiving.com/johnsonkatherineelizabeth and give something, anything, whatever you can. 

Right tomorrow at least 6km!

National Thrombosis Week- Fundraising Day 1- done!

So I have done it, I have completed day one of my fundraising for Lifeblood, I covered 8km today so am just over 25% of the way there to my goal of 31km in 5 days. It is safe to say I am pretty knackered, however on a positive note my leg is feeling pretty good. This morning the PTS was really bad and my leg had swollen up by the time I got out of bed went to the toilet and went to the kitchen, however it is now feeling much better after a day with quite a lot of exercising, so thats good.


I feel really positive that I am starting my fundraising for Lifeblood, and even though I ultimately want to start my own charity, I am so grateful for everything Lifeblood does and it feels good to be able to give back.  I only hope that in 10 years time when the Thrombosis Support Charity is working to support those affected by Thrombosis, I am able to thank people for fundraising for me, and that the charity is able to help those in need. 


Thankyou again for reading my blog, please pass it on, go to www.justgiving.com/johnsonkatherineelizabeth and give whatever you can.


Have a fab evening


x