Miss List

What are the top 5 things you’ll miss when you’re gone and how can you enjoy them before it’s too late?

Capture the moment: John Brett’s stunning painting of the ocean

Recent events in the world have left me rather dazed. From the shocking terrorist attacks in France, Belgium, Turkey and the US, to the out-of-the-blue earthquake in Italy, to the early deaths of cystic fibrosis (CF)* friends around the world, to hearing of the terminal illnesses of our friends’ loved ones, the sad death of my friend Rowena Kincaid, to chatting to a dear friend who tragically lost her husband early in their marriage.

 

This has made me reflect on the poor people afflicted and the knock-on effect on all their extended family and friends. It also reminded me that we don’t know and can’t predict the year, month, day, hour and minute that we will die ourselves.

It’s left me feeling ever more convinced by my desire to live every day like’s it my last – this has mainly been forged by a lifetime of surviving the chronic illness CF and Type 1 Diabetes and its daily challenges and extensive medication.

I’ve pondered upon the elixir of life and have distilled the main things which I would miss when my time is up. I reference them below with recent examples of how I appreciate them ‘in the moment’ so I will hopefully have less regrets.

Tim’s Miss List:

1. Partner / Children (Wife and Son)
– Pleasurable meal with my wife Katie in our favourite restaurant in Wimbledon Village (The Lighthouse) and the ubiquitous Face Book selfie!
– The pride of watching my son Felix get up from a fall on his bike and carry on cycling.
– The drinks Katie and I shared in the late afternoon sun on the gorgeous lawn of a lovely East Sussex hotel to celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary.
– The one thing most children want the most from a parent is your ‘time’. I have enjoyed some precious times with Felix this summer. In particular, a game of Top Trumps ‘Piece of Cake!’ (comparing cakes from around the world) was not only fun but made us both desperate for some Victoria Sponge!

2. Family
– Being there with my wonderful mum for dinner on the eve of and morning of her June birthday.
– Every conversation (F2F, phone call or text) with my two brothers Chris and Jez. Especially sharing an Isle of Wight holiday memory and banter from our last family holiday about 30 years ago!
– Taking time out from our holiday in Greece to look out to sea and have a ‘catch-up chat’ with my late father, who I miss every day.

3. Friends
– Having some beers and laughing uncontrollably with my long-term hockey friends in the marquee at the Olympic Park in London while biblical rain halted the international hockey match we were supposed to be watching!
– Sending my most heart-felt wishes to Jerry Cahill, American CF legend, on the wonderful event of his 60th birthday.
– Putting into practice Maya Angelou’s wise counsel – “Be a rainbow in somebody’s cloud” – by helping friends and work colleagues in their hours of need.

4. Nature / Wildlife
– Being transfixed by two birds of prey majestically hovering overhead looking for lunch in my local park.
– Witnessing a sustained summer thunder and lightning storm (surely nature’s purest orchestra) from my bedroom window.
– Feeling hypnotised by the curious flights of fancy of a squadron of Swifts flying high to catch insects.
– Viewing a shaft of sunlight on the sea from the coastline in Lanzarote which looked like a gigantic green pond leaf in the middle of the ocean (see painting by John Brett of a similar image back in the 19th Century).

5. Contentment (Happiness / Joy of life / Living in the moment)
– Watching and celebrating with Felix England’s 3-0 series rugby union win over Australia!
– The last moments of sun on my face on a warm day before the pure relaxation of an evening drink and dinner.
– The sheer elation of having an invigorating session at the gym!
– The smell and glow of the local milieu while going for a jog following a rain shower on a sunny day!
– Combing my gorgeous ginger cat Charlie on our garden lawn. A mutual win-win; I find it therapeutic and he’s in ecstasy!

Living the list
I hope my Miss List and examples have been of interest. Do you have a similar list or something different? Do you ‘live your list’ rather than leave it too late?

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.

Tim
Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’)

This blog is dedicated to the beautiful and effervescent Rowena Kincaid, who I met in 2015 when she interviewed me for her BBC documentary about Bucket Lists. Two hours in her sparkling company lasted a lifetime – I won’t forget you dear Rowie. Rest in Peace.

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.

Unlimited

Gandhi encouraged us to be the change we want to see. My mindset towards battling the chronic illness cystic fibrosis (CF)* has been improved by two extra letters…

A Life Unlimited by CF

Certain words or descriptions can drag you down before you’re day even starts. They can chain you to a health-related jail, leaving you to be vanquished by the ravages of your condition.

Once such word for people with CF is ‘limited’ – a life with CF and its daily grind of 2-3 hours of medication, physiotherapy, nebulisers and constant coughing can be a life limiting illness. Keeping on top of everything to stay alive forces you to have many limitations in your daily life.

But by adding two letters, this word is transformed from negative to positive and at the same time acts as a springboard for change in one’s mindset.
I choose to add the two letters ‘U’ and ‘N’ to the word to give me unlimited and hence a ‘life unlimited’.

A recently launched campaign by the UK CF Trust is fighting for a life unlimited by CF for everyone affected by the condition. In essence, this means being able to breathe freely, having the same social, education and work opportunities as everyone else and living life to the full.

I fully support this worthy mission and encourage you to watch the video below to know more.

Limitless
Here are aspects of my life – which help me to be the change I want to see – which are also unlimited:
• Love for my family (Katie, Felix, my mum, brothers, parents-in-law) and friends
• Desire and motivation to keep on top of my extensive CF and diabetic treatments
• Impetus to keep exercising (gym, jogs and occasional games of field hockey)
• Appetite to campaign for new transformational drugs to be made available to people with CF (like Orkambi from Vertex)
• Passion to keep challenging authorities and governments to change the donor system in the UK so more donor organs are available to save lives
• Strength to mentally fight back every day against the damage inflicted by my conditions (latest side effect is that 45 years of coughing has caused a hernia which I need to get operated on). My new moto has become: ‘If I can take it, I can make it!’
• Supply of rubbish jokes for every occasion (the 2016 vintage are some of the best yet – be warned)
• Need to keep smiling and laugh whatever is going on. I agree with Mark Twain: “The best way to cheer yourself up is to cheer somebody else up!”
• Willingness to keep sharing my survival story, strategies and life insights to help others and if possible, offer hope to people where none exists
• Appreciating each and every day as if it’s my last and cherishing as many ‘special moments’ along the way

Small changes – adding two letters to a word – have made a big difference. What letters could change the meaning of words to help transform your life?

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.

Tim
Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’)

View the short and poignant Life Unlimited video by the CF Trust

Another unlimited act is taking place this Sunday 24th April, when my long-term hockey friend Mark Tubb is running the London Marathon for CF. Please sponsor him here.

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.

Year of Firsts

Here, I list my ‘year of firsts’ as I battle the chronic illness cystic fibrosis (CF)*. Not the habitual festive top 10 list, but memories to store forever…

Winning my book award at People’s Book Prize

Tis the season to be jolly.

Tis also the season where we are submerged in a sea of people’s top 10 lists for the year.

As I close out another year it felt liberating and heartening to plot each month of 2015 for something I did or was involved with for the first time ever in my life.

Memories are all that we get to keep from our experience of living. In my intense desire of securing memories that last a lifetime and define a life well-lived, every day I search for key moments and activities that feed this insatiable hunger. Here is my list of firsts for 2015:

January – I was filmed on the London Eye sharing my views on ‘bucket lists’ with terminally ill Rowena Kincaid for a BBC TV documentary ‘Before I kick the bucket’ (Look out for the 1 hour documentary early in 2016).
February – I played in an English Hockey Association Veterans Cup for my old team Trojans (including my brother Chris and long-term friends) against tournament favourites East Grinstead, who field two former Olympians. We gave them a good run for their money but eventually lost 3-1.
March – I met in a London hotel with one of living heroes – the active and fit Jerry Cahill, my US-based CF mentor and legend who is nearly 60. He recorded a podcast of my story being a father to Felix despite the challenges of CF.
April – I ate lunch at ‘Rules’ the oldest restaurant in London (it’s been serving traditional British cuisine since 1789 and some of the staff looked like they were as old as the establishment) with my relative Gilbert Hall. It was a wonderful experience, but I did have to send back the potatoes as they were rather hard! Tut tut.
April – This memory deserves a second one. While in Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt, Felix and I had our first ride on a camel called ‘Maradona’. The animal was not in a good mood and had the same beady eyes and fixed stare of the Argentinian footballer of the same name!
May – My CF memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’ won a precious accolade – the Best Achievement award at the UK People’s Book Prize; a black tie event at Stationers’ Hall in London. A double-first was seeing if I could deliver my winning speech to Sky News cameras after consuming a bottle of wine during the dinner!
June – Going to see one of childhood heroes, (Jim Dale from the Carry On films) with my twin brother, Jez, in his amazing one-man singing and dancing show at a London theatre. A very special night all round.
July – My short documentary about surviving CF (which was shot in our house and features Katie and Felix) was aired by Brazilian station Record TV (with Brazilian Portuguese voiceover) on the popular Sunday evening programme ‘Domingo Espetacular’. View it on You Tube – we all look great!
August – During our family holiday in Portugal, on our final day by the beach, I went for one of my customary walks on the wet sand by the surf. One thing led to another and before I knew it, a brisk walk turned into an interval jog which lasted for over 30 minutes. My lung function for most of the summer was reduced and exercise had been particularly hard. This unexpected run on the beach was like a miraculous oasis of calm and boosted my self-esteem more than any healthy person could ever imagine. It would easily fill every slot of my top 10 list of 2015 positive happenings!
September – For the first time in 19 months, I needed some time off for one of intensive intravenous (IV) treatments. I hadn’t gone 19 months without an IV since my early teens. So it was negative that I needed an IV but it’s important to look at the silver linings when your health is low. This mindset really helped to sustain me in the days of suffering during the 3 weeks of IV’s.
October – I had the results back from my annual CF and diabetes health review. I had reversed the severity of my bone density and osteoporosis due to my weights programme in the gym and taking my calcium supplements. A very pleasing turn-around!
November – After more than 30 years of playing field hockey, I finally received some kit and stick sponsorship from Gryphon UK. A wonderful motivation to keep playing a sport that has enabled my health to defy the grim odds set at birth.
December – My book was raffled off as part of a Christmas online offer by Genefo, who match CF patients to others that share their genetic mutation. One person said the following about my book, which makes sharing my story worthwhile:

“Your book and yourself is an inspiration, yet it’s also so much more than that. The resilience and sheer bloody mindedness of folk with CF shines through. You have an excellent writing voice that came across as genial and doggedly determined. Cheers for your gift of empowering us and the realisation that we are not slaves to CF but are able to break the chains of bondage and, with effort, have increased mastery and hope. As you say, until the cure is found.”

What a list! I’m constantly surprised and delighted that I’ve had the luck and privilege of being involved with so many firsts in my mid 40’s. This all happened against the usual backdrop of daily medication and loss of many CF friends and one dear school friend; which makes each memory more treasured.

I hope this has got you thinking. What would be on your list of firsts this year?

Have a wonderful Christmas and happy New Year!

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.

Tim
Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’)

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.

More than this

Question: Who would want an enduring and meaningful friendship with their pharmacist? Answer: I do. Welcome to another interesting survival aspect of a life battling cystic fibrosis (CF)*

Tim and Jeet

Jeet Patel, my pharmacist for the last twenty years retired recently. I’ve been royally supported by Jeet, his wife Chrishna and their staff Sally and Joyce. Before Jeet, I was looked after by his brother Raj for around five years. All-in-all, it equates to over 26 years.

It was September 1989. ‘Ride on time’ by Black Box was playing everywhere. My mum and I went looking for a chemist in Wimbledon Village to cater for my heavy medical needs in order to be ready for the start of my life as a college student at Roehampton College. When Raj first met me, I was a thin, young and naïve chap weeks before the start of my 1st year.

Up until then, my mum and dad had diligently acted as the conduit for me to receive my swathes of medication on time each month. From that September, as with everything when you flee the nest, the buck stopped with me. I had to get the bus from my campus to the chemist before carrying big bags of meds back on a return bus.

Raj, Jeet and co. have dispensed over 13,000 types of medication per year for me which roughly equates to a mind-boggling 350,000 over the 26 years we’ve known each other. I reckon they’ve had to see me over 650 times during this duration – lucky them!

More than a number
It’s one of the oddities of a life battling my relentless CF and CF-related diabetes, where there’s no remission or a single day off, that in most cases, we get to know our pharmacist very well. We need to be in touch every month. It’s a continuous process and an ongoing conveyor belt of medication. Imagine a ‘Lazy Susan’ with all sorts of different coloured pills instead of sumptuous Chinese food!?

We’ve shared many happy and fun memories over this time through what most people would perceive to be such a mundane and practical endeavour as picking up one’s drugs. It’s a crucial part of my survival strategy. After all, if I don’t have the meds, I cannot take them! If I don’t take them, I won’t survive for too long.

They’ve witnessed me grow up in every sense of the word (except in physical height). They know my wife Katie and son Felix and we know their family and exchange Christmas cards and gifts. I and my family combine a visit to the chemist when we go for lunch in Wimbledon Village or a pleasant walk on the near-by Common. This makes it not feel such an onerous task but makes it feel like a small part of a memorable day out.

Jeet would always come to the front counter to engage with me and make sure I had all the correct drugs – no mean feat when my prescription listed upwards of 15 different types of medication. We’ve got to know each other pretty well over snatched conversations and there’s a genuine interest in my family and a mutual love of cricket. He’s a hard-working, under-stated, humble, diligent and caring man with a supreme array of patterned ties.

Nothing was ever too much for him and he always gave me the right treatment – both the correct medicines and in the kind considerate way that he looked after me.

Having being expected by doctors to not live beyond 17 back in 1971, it amuses me that I have now outlasted both my primary physician (Dr Ron Knight) and now my pharmacist. What’s next for me?

Happy retirement and thank you Raj, Jeet and Chrishna. Never forget that you made a big difference in my life and my ongoing survival…

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.
Tim

Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’)

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.

Here and There

Down here and up there

Yesterday was a day I’ll never forget: I completed a horrid course of IV treatment to combat my cystic fibrosis (CF)* and then attended the funeral of a dear friend…

I’ve just undergone a three-week course of IV treatment, my first in 19 months. It’s been tough to revert back to being the ‘sick boy’ again. I stayed with my mum in Southampton for the first half of the treatment and then spent the rest of it back in London with Katie and Felix.

Having the exhausting and time-consuming IV drips three times a day alongside the rest of my usual medication equates to me only getting about three hours free of drugs during my waking hours. My illness really takes charge during these sessions.

While I was in Southampton, Martin Sleet, long-time friend from Southampton and former London house-mate, sadly died of leukaemia, 15 months since it was diagnosed. Martin was a helpful and forthright chap, with a passion for wildlife, particularly in the Ocean, and Southampton Football Club.

One of his enduring talents was the unique ability to eat a shocking amount of mustard on a cheeseburger. One might say that he had food with his mustard!

Martin had an obdurate approach to his suffering and endured endless stays in hospital, which sapped him both physically and mentally. It was in the hospital that my twin brother, Jez, and I last saw Martin, a week prior to his death. On the morning of his sad passing, I visited his parents to pay our condolences.

Dusk you and me
On the day of Martin’s death, as the remains of a sunny September day were turning into night, I went for a walk on Southampton Common. It felt appropriate to walk on the same park land which Martin would have frequented on numerous occasions, either socialising with our local group of friends or walking his family dog.

I needed to feel close to Martin, even though he wasn’t actually visible.

I went straight to the fallen tree, now covered in overgrowth, which myself, Jez, Chris, Ant and Martin used as a muster (and mustard) point before riotous nights out as callow youths.

Later on my walk, I stood transfixed at the Ornamental Lake, where I felt a light breeze on my face, and the juxta-position between the warmth and cold of my body depending on whether the sun was covered by clouds.

I studied the reflection of those clouds in the water, witnessed a woodpecker gliding from tree to tree and I saw some crested newts bob up and down to the surface, like Martin used to do with his scuba diving. Then to my astonishment I saw the beautiful and rare sight of a kingfisher bird on a tree overhanging the lake. In a whoosh of blue, it darted down into the water to grab its prey before flying off to some near-by trees.

It was a telling and thought-provoking moment – all this beauty on earth which Martin would have cherished, but sadly will never view again.

His death makes no sense and isn’t just. Cancer said to him, “I choose you Martin Sleet!”

Correspondingly, why have some of my wonderful CF friends and so many others, often under the age of 30, died of CF while I’m still here?

When will CF bellow to me, “I choose you Tim Wotton!”

Martin has gone to a place free of pain and suffering. For 44 years, he was here on earth, now he’s there, somewhere which I hope is heaven. I am still here and he is there. I’m lucky to still breathe this air and see all the beauty that surrounds me.

It’s chilling to reflect that during my IV’s and all that it brings with the extra burden of treatment, where I feel completely owned by CF, I do feel marginally closer to being there than being here.

The last few weeks have taught me so much. I’ve learnt once again to respect the living and honour the dead. It’s also reinforced my cast-iron belief that life can be short so must be appreciated to the full. Life is beautiful. Do not waste it. Treasure it while you’re still here…

Martin Giles Sleet. RIP my dear chap.

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.
Tim

Tim Wotton (author of Award-Winning CF Memoir)

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.

Right there

Some divine intervention came my way recently just when I needed it the most; and it came in the most curious of forms…

I had been very busy at work, having gone many months without a worthwhile break. In mid-July, with my energy levels severely depleted, I succumbed to a harsh infection which really affected my lungs and exacerbated my cystic fibrosis* and diabetes. This meant a lot of extra treatment and physiotherapy, often fitted in late at night in order to get as good a sleep as possible.

Separately, one of my oldest friends from my hometown has been courageously battling leukaemia in hospital which has been utterly horrible for him and emotional for us to witness.

There had been a steady build-up and I was slightly on the edge – mind, body and spirit. I was holding out for some time off with my family. This nirvana came a few weeks back when Katie, Felix and I travelled to Portugal for a week of holiday.

Sign of the time
On arrival, in the reception area of the hotel, I was drawn to this teenage girl sitting in her wheelchair with family and friends. She looked like she had cerebral palsy. Despite being able to communicate with those around her, she was permanently dribbling onto a handkerchief draped over her chest. It made tears well up in my eyes, which in-turn accentuated my feeling of sadness.

On our way to the apartment, I definitely felt the need for some form of divine support or signal to help calm my soul and restore my life-balance.

I do look out for signs when life is too helter-skelter or feels out of control. These signs have come in the form of objects which keep crossing my path, songs which I keep hearing on the radio and certain lyrics or messages I keep reading in the form of repeat phrases, words or slogans.

Having been up early to catch the flight from London and following a tiring journey, I went to wash my face in our bathroom. And there was my sign – right there in front of me…

It was the bar of soap. Most of the time with such a functional object as a bar of soap, we pick it up, un-wrap it, use and discard it or put it back in the dish. Not this time.

On the wrapper of the soap was written the following words: ‘Enjoy your life!’

Three simple words. ‘Enjoy your life!’

But those words summed things up so succinctly. It served as a wonderful and timely reminder that life can be short, so it needs to be enjoyed. After all, can you think of anything better as your life mantra or to be said of you as part of your eulogy: “He/ she enjoyed their life!”

Who’d have ever thought that a humble bar of soap in Portugal would offer me the guidance I so badly required. It was quite literally, the right sign at the right time.

Keep your eyes and ears open as your much-needed signal could be right there in front of you… What sign will you see or hear today?

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.
Tim

Tim Wotton (CF author)

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.

Never Thought…

This month, I wanted to highlight some things I’d never thought I’d ever do, say or feel in my 44 years surviving the life-threatening condition cystic fibrosis (CF)*…

DO
Getting married, let alone just celebrating my 12th wedding anniversary with Katie via a trip to see the Seven Sisters coastline in East Sussex!

Having a healthy son (Felix is now 8 yrs old)

Playing hockey and cricket with my own son.

Going to the gym and not feeling completely out of place in relation to the fitness of the other gym incumbents.

Playing league hockey for my 30th consecutive year.

Helping so many people in the UK and around the world with my writing (this blog and my book) and through other media.

Being a published author with my memoir ‘How have I cheated death?’ and seeing my book in Waterstones and recently winning a book award (in May I won the Best Achievement award at the UK People’s Book Prize)

Being closer to 45 than 40.

Meeting an active and fit CFer who is nearly 60 (#JerryCahillCFLegend)

SAY
Sharing my views on ‘bucket lists’ with terminally ill Rowena Kincaid for a BBC TV documentary ‘Before I kick the bucket’ (for the record, I don’t keep a bucket list but enjoy the small things every day)

Using my pigeon Spanish to respond to people in Brazil and Argentina on Facebook who saw a short documentary about me which recently appeared (with Brazilian Portuguese voiceover) on the popular Brazilian programme ‘Domingo Espetacular’. A man called Souza Carlos told me on Facebook: “I just saw your interview. Man, you’re a winner. Congratulations!”

Saying “the music was better in the 1980’s” (OK, that’s a trick one. I’ve been saying this line since 1st January 1990!)

Exclaiming “What’s 4 extra tablets a day when I’m already swallowing 40!” on hearing that a possible new drug ‘Orkambi’ comes in pill format.

Commenting not in jest and with much passion, “I love peas and lentils.”

FEEL
Being mindful of appreciating each day and making a tangible difference to those around me.

Finding a way to manage my daily health demands with a demanding business role.

Feeling moments of complete and unadulterated contentment with the pure joy of life.

Being at peace with myself, my illnesses and with the world.

I will keep you posted on my life-affirming moments, trials and tribulations as and when they happen. Please keep reading and sharing my blog and sign-up (on the right hand side tab) if you have not already done so.

Yours cup half full.

Tim
Tim Wotton (CF author)

In other news
My CF memoir is now available as an Audio Book with a voiceover by JP Nicholas. Check it out here.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Have-Cheated-Death-Unabridged/dp/B00TQKDA2U/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1427321515&sr=1-3&keywords=tim+wotton

* Cystic Fibrosis is one of the UK’s most common life threatening inherited diseases, affecting over 10,000 people. The condition affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food. Each week, five babies are born with the condition, however, each week, three young lives are also lost to it. There is currently no cure for CF. However, existing gene therapy trials in the UK are bringing people with the illness closer to a form of cure but CF is not that well known and would benefit from more public donations. For more information and to find out more view the CF Trust Website.