Good morning everyone,
Friday had come round quicker than I expected. It wasn’t a normal match day as it was a Friday!
First up my cousin came round and we had a chat, looked at some boots that I could wear with my skirts and such! We then packed my suitcase, including my liquid food etc. Before long Carolyn was off and my brother had arrived. I decided I’d have a sneaky hour sleep, I was feeling tired and exhausted mentally, that hour did help. Then I had my medication on and I sat and read for an hour!
Before I knew it I was getting ready & packing my plugs & electronics, I never go far without my iPad especially as I’m keep an anxiety diary as part of my therapy.
Next thing I knew I was In the car with Jamie and heading to his go collect shay. Then we was off to the big city! You know it dawned on me I might have over packed, saying that I needed my blankets so really I hadn’t!
The trip down wasn’t to bad we took the M1 route going it was ok! We arrived later than expected but it wasn’t too bad, Jamie managed to get two wheelchairs in the hotel, impressive skills!
On the way down I spoken to Mef, Andy, Neil & Ben. The lucky text was sent as always later than normal but still sent!
Neil and Ben both predicted 2-1 united and I’d gone 1-0 and my brother predicted 3-1! Who would be right?
Andy had hit traffic and running extremely late, I don’t handle those situations well thankfully Janie is much calmer than me!
I called an accessible cab using “my taxi” it’s like black cabs equivalent to Uber, I personally always use it when in London! We only had to wait 4 min and Jamie managed to get 2 x wheelchairs down.
His ramp wasn’t working so Jamie and the cab driver had to lift me up into the taxi oh that was scary! We set off and then had to go back to collect Andy who had just arrived.
We eventually arrived however we had to dropped off and walk the final bit! We soon arrived and they had locked my entrance, they did get it open though thankfully!
Once inside we literally had a few minutes then our first goal went in, Alexis Sanchez! Then Jesse scores and there I think 2 minutes between the goals, the away end is jubilant, I was thinking thank god I got in when I did!
Now I have to say sadly I wasn’t with my friends Jamie & Mef I was in the far end. What I did was I plot where my friends are just in case I need them during the game, it helps me relax.
Sadly I couldn’t relax during the match, I was a ball of nerves, some people just have to ruin it for everyone else. My therapist had told me if anything happened to use my grounding technique and at football it’s singing with the lads, the more it happened the louder I got, I could probably have started a chant at one point my volume was high and panic high. I was the verge of ringing friends for back up in truth.
The game was carrying on around me and arsenal had got 1 back and it was a bit nervy but I had every in my lucky text with Neil, it was going to be ok! Martial scored and the scenes in the away end was great a chorus of “ole ole” could be heard!
Andy had got up at the final whistle and unsurprisingly they all scattered, why is that not a surprise.
We head to our meeting place, we see Pete outside and the reds are pouring out in high spirits, singing loudly and proudly! Jamie eventually arrives and we head off.
I tried to call a cab but it’s so busy it wasn’t happening so we walk back it’s about 1.8 miles, we walk along and as we do the monkey bus goes passed and bandit bus and a few other fan coaches, safe journey home lads!
We get to the hotel, it’s time for liquid food & quite reflection for me we sat in the bar til late then headed to bed!
The next morning I got up early, had my gel on, packed and got ready to meet Jamie, it was off home and this time vis the m40/ m42 .. we stopped at beconsfield it’s Jamie’s fav services! He had his favourite services good and shay some chicken nuggets, we sang some united songs and I fell asleep!
Before I knew it I was home saying bye to Jamie and see you Tuesday, it was time to see my Ben, the dog and he was pleased to see me!
You might have noticed my brother got his prediction right!
Thanks to Jamie, Andy, Ben & Neil because honestly it was a tough trip and without the support and chats I’m not sure I’d have got through it as well as I have.
People often think football fans in negative way but I have some really good friends around me and feel so lucky to spend my weekends with them or talking football with them, they make me feel part of it even when some want to isolate me.
Special shoutout to Gail who I missed seeing, see you soon mate xx
On that note, next up is Burnley Tuesday and I’m excited to catch up with my Burnley friends & of course Helen at HT for our chats.
Quote “if you show your strong the weak will get bored” UTFR
Vicky xx
