June

This month has been an incredible month for me and I haven't really taken the chance to write about it as I've been so busy! The first thing to happen (and I've cheated abit as it wasn't in June!) was the Bupa 10K my dad and I completed for Crohns and Colitis UK. I booked this run in January only a couple of months after I came out of hospital as a challenge for me to get better by and it definitely worked! Although my time wasn't great I didn't realise how long the race would actually feel and how tired it would make me. Coming past the finish line and seeing my friends waiting there was amazing and I'm so happy they wanted to come and support us. We managed to raise around £300, with £100 coming from my lovely grandparents and their friends. I'm so proud to have achieved this and surprised at how much my body can still actually do! 

                                 

Before my trip I decided to hold a party to say bye to everyone and also just because its a great excuse to have a party! We had a 90's theme as I love the music from the 90's and wanted a chance to make a playlist of all my favourite songs. My friend Izz made a quiz which was so much fun and we had a brilliant night. I also found out just before going away that my Crohn's is finally in remission! I'm so happy that my nurse has managed to find the right medication for me and I think that all the exercise and keeping healthy has played a big part in getting back to normal again!

                                            

The next and main thing from this month was travelling Europe with Lisa for 3 weeks! As you might have seen from my last posts we have been to 11 cities in 22 days and it was amazing! It went past so quickly but we had the best time, my favourite country was Vienna where we went on the worlds tallest swing ride and then into a music festival where Maximo Park were playing the next day! I've never had so much fun and I'm so glad I got to spend it with Lisa. Its encouraged both of us to keep going and do so many more things now we know we can do anything! 

                                     

Just a few days after getting back I had my driving test! This was my third test, but 1st with my new instructor (who happens to be one of my dads friends which helped!) and I passed! It was the best I have ever driven and I only got 2 minors! This week I will be getting mums car as shes getting a new one and I cant wait to be driving around and not relying on everyone else! 

The final part of my big month happened a few hours after my driving test, I had an interview for a job with the NHS and I got it! This will be so handy as I already spend enough time at the hospital so now I might even work there. This is a picture of my outfit and also the first time I have worn a pencil skirt, I think I might be converted!

Interrailing

I mentioned in a post a little while ago that me and Lisa were planning an Interrailing trip around Europe for this summer. While we were in town this week we decided to pick up a few things, mainly from the pound shops, just to start building up the things we will need. This is what we got!

Bum bag, (?!?) 99p.  To keep my passport, money, phone etc in. Pen knife, 99p. Comes with lots of attachments including scissors, corkscrew, nail file and loads more I could event think of a use for! Combination torch, £1 very small and lightweight and doesn't need batteries. Washing sheets, 50p. We saw these reduced in Wilkinsons and  thought they would be really useful for washing small bits while we're away. There are so many sheets in them they should last the whole trip.

First aid kit, 99p. This is just a really basic first aid kit but it does include gloves and some sterile wipes, we are going to add our own things to it like plasters and paracetamol. Locks and bike lock, £1 each. These are to keep our backpack secure, the bike lock can be used to attach the bag to the bed in case there are no lockers in the hostel. 

Has anyone else been interrailing? What are your tips?

Germany!

I spent last week in Germany with the University and it was so good! I did write a blog post while I was there but it didn't upload so I will just write everything in this one. The journey there was very exhausting, it took almost 12 hours because of the snow which meant lots of delays but we all managed to keep each other going and by the time we got to the hostel it was a relief to be going to bed!

The hostel was really nice, it was very clean and comfy and the breakfast in the morning was surprisingly nice. My room mates were impressed with the amount of tablets I had to take when we ate! The trip was an innovation trip so we spent the week at a German university with other students. It was very hard work and quite stressful with the deadlines they gave us, my energy levels were a bit up and down as well. One day I fell asleep 4 times and eventually they decided to just leave me! The food was good at the uni, you could get a big meal with desert for €2.35 and it was delicious. I didn't feel like I had to avoid many foods and there was some choices which made it easier. I even ended up trying sauerkraut which is like a pickled cabbage and enjoyed it!

When we weren't at the university we had some time to look around the city and visit some of the sights. One night we went on a tour of the cathedral and other places around cologne. On our final day we ended up visiting them again in the daylight to see abit better. The cathedral was amazing and we all lit a candle which was quite overwhelming. We also visited the love locks which are on the bridge over the river. This is where you and the person you love put a lock on the bridge and then throw the key down so it will stay locked there forever, it is something I would love to go back and do. We also visited the chocolate museum but didn't do the tour as it was quite expensive. Instead we decided to spend some time in the gift shop where I got a few presents to bring home. We also spent an evening at the hard rock cafe which have never been to, personally i thought it was very over priced and not that good, i didnt feel very well after either but i am glad ive been! I have included some pictures at the bottom of the sights we saw!

Overall the trip was really good and has shown me that I can push myself further than I think. When I was in hospital in October I really didn't think I would be coming back to university so soon and going to other countries so I am quite proud of myself for being able to do it! It has given me lots of motivation and I would love to plan some more trips abroad soon.

Crohns in Cologne

When I was first diagnosed with crohns everything seemed like it was a first again, my first meal with crohns, my first night out with crohns, and now I am preparing for my first trip abroad with crohns. Tomorrow I am meant to be visiting Cologne, Germany with my University and honestly I am very scared! Travelling abroad is exciting but scary and when it's your first time travelling with an inflammatory bowel disease and a bag full of prescription medicine you can't forget to take it makes it even worse. Add in the snow causing possible delays and cancellations and you have a disaster waiting to happen.

Stress affects crohns so I am trying to keep calm and concentrate on being excited and getting the opportunity to visit a new country. I hope I have done as much as I can to make the trip run smoothly but this will be a test for me and my illness!

Does anyone have any advice for travelling abroad?