Thank you 2014

2014 was a crazy year for me, it ended on the highest of highs, but also featured some bizarre and painful lows too. I figured a little round-up blog would be about right for the first post of the year!

February was a really rough time. I suffered what appeared to be a stroke and was admitted to the stroke unit of Scunthorpe hospital. It was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. I was very thankful to be at work with my family when the symptoms happened.

After a bunch of tests, MRI and CAT scans, no brain trauma was found, even though I had had all the symptoms of a stroke. I was released a day later with a re-referral to a neurologist I had seen before with the suspicion that it was related to my chronic head pain.

Two days later, I was back in Scunthorpe stroke unit again. For the next 2 months, these stroke-like events happened several times a week at least. On more occasions than I'd like to admit I was also rushed to Grimsby hospital because I was in so much pain I was vomiting and crying and hysterical. It was a really awful time. But ultimately, it led to my medication being changed, and my pain becoming a lot more manageable. I now take only 1 pill a day for my pain, with odd painkillers occasionally, instead of upwards of 20 pills a day, plus incredibly strong painkillers like tramadol.

I was so lucky to be surrounded with amazing support from Stu, my family, and my Mum in particular. I couldn't drive for a few months till we figured out what was causing the stroke symptoms, so my Mum drove me everywhere and helped me out so much. Mum, I can't say thank you enough!

As daft as it sounds, I am thankful for this time because it also showed me how truly amazing Stu was. He drove me to hospital in the middle of the night even though it meant he had 2 hours sleep before he had to go to work, he cleaned up my vomit from the bedroom floor when I didn't make it to the bathroom in time, he cooked for me everyday, looked after the house, and was the sweetest and most caring man I could ever have hoped for. I love you Stu, thank you so much. I adore you.

Thankfully, that is the only low point that stands out to me! Onto the happier times...

I got tattooed a bunch! I started a leg piece with Keely Rutherford who is a total sweetheart. I am so so pleased I picked Keely out for my first tattoo, and all those that have followed so far. She is a genuinely awesome persons, ridiculously talented and I am so glad to call her a friend.

Here's to more ink in 2015!

This was my first one, love!

I also started this blog in 2014. I've become really attached to it, and thoroughly enjoy writing it, so I hope you enjoy reading it too. I am forever baffled by the fact that people read my rambling every day, so thank you!

I was lucky enough to have a lot of adventures with awesome people, including Maja Stina, and my friend Lara who I hadn't seen in 10 years! I had so much fun taking photos and catching up.

My Dad turned 50 and we had an awesome party for him. He took this photo of me and Stu, and as I now know, it was this night that Stu asked my Dad for permission to propose to me! So it will forever mean so much to me.

We went on an amazing holiday to Wales with my parents, brother, grandparents and even Ashen! So much fun was had, it was nice to have a real week away and just be in our own world.

I developed a sudden and crazy love of jeans! I hadn't worn trousers since 2009 because I became so concerned about how I looked in them. Stu kept telling me I would look good in them, and I wish I had believed him earlier!

After years of crazy colours, I went back to my natural hair colour and stopped dying it completely. I am so glad I did! It's grown so much, and is the healthiest it has ever been.

AAAAnnnnnd.... I got engaged! Best end to the year ever. Bring on 2015 and engagement parties and exciting planning! I never thought I could be this happy. I didn't think I deserved it, when I look at my life 3 or 4 years ago and how broken I was, I am so so lucky. And so so happy.

Have the most amazing new year, and thank you so so much for reading and supporting my blog this year.

Much love,

Kitty xxxx