Seven sleeps to go and all is not well!

Busy few weeks which has meant this has fallen by the wayside.  Where to start?

The great news is my total raised is now £650. I was attempting to raise £500 so very chuffed that I've raised more.  Most of this was down to a coffee morning in North Berwick and a car boot last weekend. So many people to thank for all their fundraising help but special thanks to Sharon - friends like her restore your faith!  My youngest daughter Kalya has been an absolute star - not many 13 year old girls would help their mum to raise money for kids not as fortunate as she is - she realises this and wants to come to Ghana next year with me.

We've another fundraising page now.  That's doing quite well.  Kevan and Davy are coming round on Monday to finalise the plans. Am worried that they are bringing more stuff for my suitcase because I don't know if I can fit clothes in with the art materials (thanks Debbie!) and food packs!  Kevan thinks its really funny that I'm taking gas straighteners (thanks YT!) into the village with me. I reckon I'm entitled to one luxury.  Am worried how I'll wash my hair with no running water - cannot bear my hair being dirty.  I guess I'll cope somehow!

Losing two of my five greyhounds in October and December has left a huge hole and I miss them terribly.  Claddagh, my only hound bitch, is refusing to eat.  Every meal time is a struggle with her and I am worried about leaving the hounds given that they have been through so much change lately. It will go one way or the other - she'll either keep prancing about refusing to eat at mealtimes or she'll act as if nothing was ever wrong.  She's a wee madam so suspect the latter will be the case.

I have all my vaccinations up to date and start the anti-malarials next Thursday.  I've got everything and going to start packing tomorrow.  I'm nervous but really looking forward to this!

I've been in a relationship with Davie for ten years,. Its always been very complicated and quite messy at times. We split up six months ago. After losing my hound boys, we started speaking again.  Two weeks ago, Davie shocked me to the core and the upshot is we're now engaged.  Um.  Yes.  Massive changes are going on!

Two weeks ago I found a lump on my neck.  I've had blood tests and been for a scan and the lump is 'sinister' and attached to my thyroid.  I need a biopsy and possibly treatment to remove this.  My thyroid is functioning fine however the lump on the scan looks suspicious and is not typical of a harmless nodule.  I feel fine - the lump isn't causing any problems for me.  On Thursday and again on Friday my GP advised me not to go to Ghana.  My biopsy won't take place until mid-February so I don't see the point of sitting here worrying myself sick about what this is.  I've told my GP that I am going and my attitude towards my lump is that its there and it is what it is and me worrying myself isn't going to help me any.  And if I do need treatment then it could be some time before I'm able to do something like this again.  So I'm going to Ghana, I'm going to do everything I can and will deal with the lump when I get back.  I've just plucked up the courage to tell Kevan.  My daughter Finleigh is far from amused that I'm going and is threatening to burn my shoes if I go...! 

Its been a bit of a rollercoaster lately but thats my life in general!

Update more later

http://www.justgiving.com/amanda-wells0