I am truely thankful to Manal, Zaini, Nice Friend, Sharmin, Jatinder, Peartree Girl, Laura and Lyanne for your kind words and the big welcome you have all giving me, so thank you.
Some of you have been curious as to where abouts I live in England and I'm afraid its not near London, otherwise I would have loved to meet up with you Laura and had a chat and a coffee. I live in Somerset, South-West of England.
so I guess I should take this time and tell you a little about me and my condition...well I first got diagnosed with Thal 15 years ago when I was 4 years old. My parents took me to the Doctors one day with a bad cold but when the Doctor checked me over he was more concerned about my swollen tummy. I had lots of tests which then revealed I had Thal Major. My family were completely shocked, they hadn't ever heard of Thal before and they had no idea what to expect or what it meant for my future. I had my spleen removed and from then on my life had changed dramatically.
Looking back now I can see it wasn't always easy as much as my family tried to make it, there were some real terrifying times but its hard to remember them all now as I have come so far from the scared and lost little girl that I used to be. My parents always treated me like any other 'normal' child as best they could, and I loved being like that and being able to blend in with all of my friends, and not being the odd one out. Obviously I didn't understand alot about Thal back then so I did find it difficult when I had to keep going to Hospital for blood transfusions and when I had to have my pump on at night...but I got used to it, you just carry on through the rough times until you come out the other side...which you do, and you come out alot stronger as a person and as a family. There was a time not long ago, when I thought I would be on Desferal for the rest of my life...and now I'm off this for the moment and on Exjade. Things can and do get better, and they will for you all. There were times when I thought things couldn't get much worse, real low times but you do get through them and if anyone wants to talk about things, then I am here to listen.
As I am now older I now understand that havingThal isn't the end of the world...infact I am happy with who I am and proud to be one of many who have this too. I believe its not what you have in this world that makes the difference...its how you deal with it that counts.
I still have my days where I feel down and I think that everyone can relate to feeling like this, but I just want everyone to know that you're not by yourself...whether its family, friends or this very site....we all share something in common...a life with thal and together all as one, we're all find the strength and the answers for a happy future.
Take care and best wishes to you all.
~x~