10th November 2021 Had a good day today. I attended a mental health research session. There’s two more to go so hoping I can make a good contribution. I’m still waiting for a start date for my new job. I’m still really excited about it. It will be good to meet new people and hopefully make new friends.

11th November 2021 What an eventful day! I have eventually been advised by the DVLA that my driving licence has been authorised by their medical team and it is in the post. It was supposed to have been revoked for 3 months due to my mental health but they ended up keeping it for 15 months. So excited decided to buy a car today! There’s no point in waiting! Fingers crossed things seem to be starting to turn around for the good.

15th November 2021 Had a lovely weekend. We had our granddaughters over to stay. Even though it is tiring, it’s such fun to spend time with them. No matter if you’re feeling down or fed up, they cheer you up without trying. Today I received my driving licence in the post which was a nice feeling. Today I have been to a research project relating to the pharmacist when you are in hospital. It was really interesting and felt good to put some views across. Hopefully the hospitals will listen to our points and improve areas to make it better for inpatients.

16th November 2021 Had an extremely lazy day today. Not even got dressed! I have been told my new car is going to be delivered this Saturday so super excited about that. Will be great to be driving again after almost 2 years. Will make things so much easier for getting around. I’ve been invited to another research project. This one is in relation to being observed whilst in hospital. Will be good to get me views and experience across. I’ve become an essential caregiver to my mum and dad. That means I can visit them at the care home whenever I want and for as long as I want. I’m so pleased as my mum has been really down and poorly recently. I hope I can cheer her up.


17th November 2021 Today has been another good day. I’ve being feeling positive and had no voices now for a couple of months. I handed my camera in for the Co-pact research group. I am going back on Monday to go through the photos and to add slogans to them. I am due to get a courtesy car tonight until my new car is ready on Saturday. It is going to feel so strange driving after almost 2 years. I am nervous about it but looking forward to it at the same time. One step of getting my independence back.

18th November 2021 Last night didn’t go as planned. The hire car never turned up. Spoke to the company this morning who were very apologetic but couldn’t do anything. So we’re having to wait until delivery of the new car on Saturday morning (hopefully!). I struggled with my anxiety for a while and bad things were going through my head. I felt a bit better this morning. I went to visit mum and dad. They were really pleased to see me. It’s hard seeing mum in pain and low in mood. I wish I could take her out somewhere. Hopefully that will come soon. I had a call from the doctors today to say I have to go back next Tuesday for an examination. Not looking forward to that. I will try not to think about it too much.

23rd November 2021 Not had a bad few days. I managed to take my mum our for a short while which did her the world of good. Hoping to plan another visit soon. Thankfully my new car turned up as planned on Saturday. I absolutely love it & it feels so good to be driving again. It gives me the feeling of freedom. I’m hoping to visit one of my friends who is in a psychiatric hospital next week. I haven’t seen her since we were both in Stevenage Hospital together so it’s been a while. It will be good to see her again. I had my examination at the doctors today. It wasn’t very pleasant. I now need to have my bloods taken and have an ultrasound. At least they are being thorough. Fingers crossed they won’t find anything untoward.

27th November 2021 Not been up to too much recently. Went to see mum and dad this afternoon which is always nice. I saw my nurse yesterday. She said I looked well which is always nice to hear! I had a call from the NHS updating me about my new job. I got very excited! I am really looking forward to it. I am definitely visiting my friend in hospital next week, She is in Bury St. Edmunds so, due to the distance, am going to stop overnight. I’m really looking forward to seeing her.