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HELEN'S DIARY: God, I wish I was normal
Helen Miller, from South Anston, is waiting for a lung transplant and is keeping a weekly diary to support The Star's Gift of Life campaign.
The 38-year-old mum-of-two wants readers to know what life is really like on the waiting list.
Helen, who was a training manager before she fell ill now has so little energy that brushing her hair and cleaning her teeth are exhausting. Here she explains how her condition affected her last week.
Saturday
MANDY, a friend of my sister-in-law, came and did my ironing. What a kind gesture from someone I don't even know. Mum and dad are away so I've got people popping in and out all day to help me.
I went to Doncaster as the continental market was on, and I thoroughly enjoyed being outside looking at all the nice food. Back at 4pm, I went to sleep, but Abi was desperate to go out and I couldn't understand why. An hour later she came back with her nose pierced. All I could say was, 'Yuck'.
Sunday
WOKE at 9am but stayed in my pyjamas until dinner. Had a bath and went back to bed as I was tired, but I couldn't sleep so got back up to read papers. I had a headache all day. Watched TV again. God, I wish I was normal.
Monday
ANN my sister-in- law came to look after me today and did the ironing. John was eternally grateful and Janet will be glad as she kindly does it sometimes for us and hates it. Another bad headache today.
Tuesday
ANN and Janet came round today and were like whirlwinds cleaning up. I was dizzy just sitting there watching them.
Wednesday
ABI looked after me today and then Janet cleaned my fridge and I sat and wrote her CV as she has just been made redundant after 19 years.
A man called John who I haven't seen in months came to visit me with a gorgeous array of roses. It was lovely to see him.
Sleep is still an issue with me - I feel drained but can't sleep through the night. I am having night sweats - not good when you've just had your hair dyed bright red and you have white pillow cases!
Thursday
JANET was here this morning looking after me. A lady came to visit and asked if I had any leaflets and posters for the campaign. She reads my diary in The Star avidly and wanted to put the poster and cards in Todwick post office. It is very much appreciated.
- The Star's Gift of Life campaign has added the names of 25,000 readers to the Organ Donor Register.
Currently 8,000 people in the UK are waiting for a new kidney, liver, lung or heart. But a shortage of organ donors means hundreds people are dying on the waiting list each year.
Click here to go to the Organ Donor Register
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Weather for Sheffield
Friday 10 February 2012
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