The results are in…

… and Terry’s kidney is absolutely fine, nothing to see here, move along please and all that jazz. All of the blood results were in the “best they could possibly be” range, and now that’s been confirmed I can go ahead and admit that I? Was totally freaked out by yesterday’s test. Not that I really thought there was anything wrong with Terry, I hasten to add: this is a man who takes eight gym classes a week and goes rock climbing on the weekends, so it was pretty clear he was in fighting form, but… it was the date. The date worried me.  The universe, you see, has a funny way of messing with me, and making sure that what SHOULD be happy dates in my life become memorable for all the wrong reasons.

For instance:

December 15, 2003 – Terry and I get engaged. Whoopee!

December 15, 2005 – Terry has a kidney transplant. Damn.

And, OK, the transplant was technically a “good” thing. But it’s all relative, isn’t it? I mean, it wasn’t such a good day compared to, say, all of those days in our lives when Terry HADN’T needed a transplant. I guess what I’m trying to say here is that getting a transplant you badly need = good,  actually needing a transplant in the first place = a bit of a bummer, to be honest. Could’ve totally lived without that one, thanks all the same, Universe.

(December 15th is also Terry’s “Name Day” in Greece, but that has no real relevance to this story. Just thought I’d throw it in for good measure, though.)

But it doesn’t stop there. For instance:

Boxing Day 2003 = the day Terry was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure, and a little bit of my sanity shattered forever.

Christmas Day 2005 = the day he got out of hospital.

Again, getting out of hospital is clearly a good thing. But what would’ve been even BETTER would’ve been if he’d never actually had to be in there in the first place. See?

Anyway, this strange habit of us spending meaningful or important days in our lives in hospitals has made me a little bit superstitious. I should say here that I’m not normally superstitious in the slightest –  show me a ladder, and I will happily walk under it (something will probably fall on me, mind you, but that’s just par for the course with me) – but in respect of what we’ve come to call “That whole weird thing with the dates”, I will admit to just a smidge of superstition.

Which is why, when Terry and I had the following conversation a couple of months ago, I was left feeling ever so slightly concerned:

TERRY: I got my next appointment in for the transplant clinic. It’s for March 10th.

ME: But! But! That’s my birthday! OMG, That Whole Weird Thing With the Dates will happen again!

Two days later…

TERRY: So, I called the hospital and asked them to change the date of my appointment.

ME: Oh, you didn’t need to do that. [Thinks: you totally did, though] When did they move it to?

TERRY: March 31st

ME: So… they moved the appointment from my birthday to our wedding anniversary? Almost as if they are hell bent on doing the tests on a Significant Date?

TERRY: Oh. Yeah, I guess!

ME: We. Are. So. Screwed.

And so, while yesterday was a lovely day for us, and we were happy to be celebrating our 2nd anniversary (thanks for all the good wishes, by the way – much appreciated) there was also a small part of my brain that was, well, freaking the hell out, until the moment we got back from the restaurant and Terry checked the results online.

And all was well.

Whew.

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COMMENTS
  • How strange about you and dates! I am so glad to learn that all is well with Terry- fantastic news! I would have been worried, too! You two should celebrate!

    April 1, 2009
  • Great news, glad all’s well with Terry.

    Elizabeth @ Lovely Things´s last blog post..Vintage Hovis tins from Pedlars back in stock

    April 1, 2009
  • So glad to hear that everything is fine! And a belated Happy Anniversary!

    Hayley´s last blog post..With all this free time, you’d think I’d blog.

    April 1, 2009
  • Phew! I hate dates that have negative connotations. My brain will not know they’re coming, but my body will always go through fits of sleeplessness, stress and general moodiness until I realize, Hey! That craptastic date is coming up!

    I’m glad to hear the results are clear. Yay!

    Amanda Nicole´s last blog post..sunny day

    April 1, 2009
  • Lila

    that’s great news!

    April 1, 2009
  • Glad all is well.

    Here’s a good one for you: my birthday is the same date as the anniversary of the Titanic sinking. Er, yay!

    April 1, 2009
  • Without the bitter, the sweet ain’t as sweet 🙂

    April 1, 2009
  • This is freaking strange, like Murphy's Law but even more peculiar. Anyway: Always loving stories with a happy ending 🙂

    <abbr>Nina´s last blog post..It’s not me, it’s you</abbr>

    April 1, 2009
  • Amy

    Wow, that is strange. If it were me I'd throw my calendars out and just go by days of the week and look out the window to guess the month ("oh, it seems to be warmer outside, the seasons must be changing.") But then, I am a bit superstitious. And dramatic. Happy healthy kidney day to both of you!

    April 2, 2009
  • It's a shame the hosp couldn't have got it all out of the way in February, but what a relief for you to get good news. Yay Terry's kidney! x

    April 2, 2009
  • Sammie

    Hey,

    I'm not trying to be mean or something, because I really do like your blog. I'm just trying to say that on Twitter especially, it seems like you're always so extremely negative. Every post is about you complaining about something – people fixing your typos, kids calling you a ginger, the weather, the gym, the post office, being overworked, spending too much money on shoes. I mean, of course, everyone has problems and I hate the weather sometimes too. But I don't post on Twitter about every negative little thing in my life. It's just so much more pleasant to have positive, nice comments, and to hear about the little things going right in people's lives.

    I'm only bringing this up because every day, I think, "Oh, there is another complaint or negative comment from her," so it's not just today that I've noticed this. It's a common thing. You make your life seem like some huge extravaganza of shittiness, when I'm sure, in reality, your life is pretty damn good. You're fucking gorgeous, you have a husband, an adorable dog, and great blogs. Don't worry about the little shit.

    I understand if you want to delete this comment too – it isn't really appropriate for the blog setting, I just didn't know the best way to tell you. DONT WORRY so much about the typo-finding people or the kids calling you a ginger, it doesn't matter!

    April 3, 2009
  • I'm so glad he's OK, I can understand how it would have been scary! Have a great second celebration!

    <abbr>mysterycreature´s last blog post..Not much to say…</abbr>

    April 3, 2009
  • p.s I don't think you're negative, just in ase you are worrying that the majority of people think it.

    <abbr>mysterycreature´s last blog post..Not much to say…</abbr>

    April 3, 2009
  • Sammie

    You are definitely negative, please don't listen to mysterycreature.

    April 3, 2009
    • No she definitely isn't. I should know.

      The blog you are reading is generally written in a pretty tongue and cheek manner. Even when things happen to Amber that are negative, I think she does a very good job at looking at them in a light hearted way.

      "You make your life seem like some huge extravaganza of shittiness"

      Seriously? Are you even reading the same blog? 14 of the last 15 posts have all been about positive things. There is only one negative thing I am reading and that is your comment.

      Regarding twitter, there are loads of positive stuff on Amber's twitter, what are you on about? Most twitter feeds tend to be bitching about stuff anyway so even IF Amber only said negative things it certainly wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary. If you don't like it just don't read it?

      There is one thing I definitely do agree with you on, and Amber you need to take note because this is something I'm always trying to drum into you.

      You are indeed "gorgeous" 🙂

      April 3, 2009
  • Kat Hannaford

    Sammie, if you find her so miserable and negative, then why don't you unfollow her? And, err…stop reading her blog?

    I think most of Amber's followers (myself included) know she's being entirely tongue in cheek. And besides – it's a typically British thing to do, to complain about the weather etc. I find her really entertaining and wouldn't want her to change her tweets/blogging just to suit one reader. Don't like it, don't follow it. End of.

    April 3, 2009
  • Sammie

    I don't unfollow her because I enjoy her fashion blogs a lot.

    Honestly, I guess it's not even personal… I know I'm too negative about a lot of stuff, and it's something I'd like to change about myself.

    April 3, 2009
    • Elsie

      "I know I’m too negative about a lot of stuff, and it’s something I’d like to change about myself"

      Yeah, you're not joking, are you? And you should want to change it, it makes for very unpleasant reading and it can't be nice to live like that, constantly picking holes in everything and every one. Maybe you should think about speaking to someone about your issues rather than taking your problems out on other people?

      April 3, 2009
  • Seriously Sammie? Have you been reading the same blog as I have? This isn't negative. Terry is right. It's light hearted and funny. It's easy to be critical and leave snarky comments on other people's blogs isn't it? Why don't you use the 'unfollow' button and stop reading?

    <abbr>Jenny´s last blog post..Egg and Soldiers</abbr>

    April 3, 2009
    • Sammie

      As I already said, I'm not unfollowing because I quite enjoy the fashion blogs. And yes, it is easy to be critical and leave comments on other people's blogs. Thanks for asking. It wasn't snarky though, if you'll read, I told her the truth about how she's obviously funny and pretty. I think the only snark I can find is in your comment.

      April 3, 2009
  • Amy

    You’re the only one here being snarky, Sammie. You’re also the only one being negative. If it’s the fashion blog you’re interested in, why not just read that one? No one is forcing you to read ALL of Amber’s blogs. The fashion police has its own twitter feed too, so you could just follow that rather than Amber’s personal twitter, and then you maybe wouldn’t feel the need to troll this site. Just a suggestion.

    April 3, 2009
    • Amy

      Oh, and I’m glad to hear Terry is OK, Amber, by the way! Sorry someone thought it was appropriate to leave a comment bashing you on a post about your husband’s illness (or any post for that matter). very bad taste.

      April 3, 2009
      • Sammie

        If you'll read my comment, it wasn't bashing, it was observing. My original comment contained the following sentence: "You’re fucking gorgeous, you have a husband, an adorable dog, and great blogs."

        There is something we call "fact checking" before you try to make an argument. If you want your arguments to be more successful, write them based off of what I really said.

        April 3, 2009
  • Fi

    Sammie, you are an idiot. The internet has an off button – if you don't like, don't read it. Amber is fabulous and this blog is very funny. Now please shut up and go away.

    <abbr>Fi´s last blog post..Outfit: Home Working Friday</abbr>

    April 3, 2009
  • Sammie

    Everyone who thinks she’s not negative simply has a different opinion than me. In my opinion, she is. In your opinion, she isn’t. Stop being children.

    April 3, 2009
      • Veronika

        You know in all fairness, I don't think this Sammie person was trying to be mean. She just had an opinion which was a little too personal, but then again you do write about personal things here.. On the other hand, I don't agree with the statement that you're negative at all. I always enjoy reading your blog when I'm bored at work 🙂 and really loved all the surprises you blogged about from Terry (btw, he is such a sweetheart;)). Hope you have a lovely week!

        April 6, 2009
  • Woop!

    *digital hug*

    mysterycreature´s last blog post..Not much to say…

    April 3, 2009
  • Jasmine

    Haha zing!! I love it!!

    April 4, 2009
  • I never cease to be amazed by some people’s rudeness.

    I’m also thrilled the results were all good. Yay!

    Siany´s last blog post..Pylones, please!

    April 4, 2009
  • Golly jeez – missed all of this!

    I'm going to ignore the troll as you've clearly vanquished her, and just say (like everyone else) how pleased I am for your good news! Hooray for healthy results!

    Now, I'm off to reconsider my latest facebook status – I'm afraid there's a chance it's verging on the negative… 😛

    <abbr>Caroline´s last blog post..In the pink!</abbr>

    April 5, 2009

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