In this blog, Sophie shares her thoughts about self isolating after receiving a double lung transplant, and her appreciation for the NHS.

I am staying at home, for so many reasons, not just for my own health (I had a double lung transplant in February 2016, so therefore am also immunosuppressed, I also have Cystic Fibrosis, Diabetes and take steroids daily), but out of shear respect and love for the NHS. And also to protect all other vulnerable people and those over 70.

The thought of isolation is not a new one for me really, as a CF patient I have spent lots of time avoiding certain areas and circumstances due to either my health or other peoplebeing unwell and needing to reduce the contact I have with them. However, this isolation is a whole new level. 12 weeks inside my home, without seeing anyone with the exception of those we live with. I am fortunate that I live with my husband and he also has been able to go into 12 weeks isolation with me.

12 weeks, or 84 days is a long time, the thought of not being able to see my friends and family for this long is horrid, but it is 10% vital in order to keep me safe and support the NHS. If I was to catch coronavirus it doesn't bare thinking about. I have already been in a situation where I was fighting for my life whilst I was waiting for my lung transplant. I don't want to put my family through that torture again, but also I am aware of trying to help the overworked NHS right now, they are doing an amazing job. I feel so passionately that anything that any of us can do to try and reduce their work is totally necessary, so therefore if I can try and avoid catching the virus at all costs then of course I will. I am so glad to see people are starting to take this seriously and they too are staying home (or mostly - there is always some people that know better), I feel saddened that it actually took the government to enforce this to make people actually stay inside.

I am not able to work at the moment as I run a catering company, so obviously that is totally out of question. I am trying to think of positives from every negative though, I guess the positive is that I actually get quite excited about cooking an evening meal for my husband. As unlike normal I am not spending the whole day cooking, so when it comes to dinner time I am more than hapy to get in the kitchen and cook!

I have a lovely home, which I love, but the thought of 12 weeks here with no socialising, going to the gym, popping to the shops etc is truly something I don't think I have got my head around yet, maybe it will get easier as time goes on. For now, I have to focus on keeping healthy and well with my other medical issues, as aside from coronavirus if I got ill with anything and ended up needing hospital treatment again this would be extra strain on the NHS.

Everyday I am trying to do one thing that I have been meaning to do for a long time, whether its cleaning a cupboard out, phoning a friend I haven't spokeen to for a long time or painting my toe nails!! I am also trying to think of a positive that has come out of each day spent at home. I don't know how long this coping mechanism will last for me, but for now its helping.

I am lucky to be alive, I was given a second chance at life when I recieved my lung transplant, I need to hold on to that chance, keep healthy and well and most importantly stay at home!

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