Where I break up with Dr G (in a good way)

I'm now at Day +84 - 84 days since my baby stem cells were repatriated to head directly to my bone marrow and start the job of rebuilding my new MS free immune system. And may I say they've done a sterling job!  I saw the lovely Dr G last week where he declared my blood results looked nice and normal and promptly discharged me back to Dr N. I had a few questions about my likely recovery...

One month on - still rocking it (and dinner at The Ivy)

Well it's now a month since I was released from my incarceration and the news is so far so good........ The first couple of weeks I took it pretty easy.  I felt a bit tired and my legs were a little wobbly but I put this down to mostly being sat around in bed for almost three weeks. Legs seem to be now back to pre treatment baseline.  I'm still a bit tired but feeling stronger every day. I've...

Officially rocked it! (says she guardedly.......)

Well dear readers I am now up to the fifth night at home in my own bed. Some fluffy folk were very pleased to see me. On Sunday my neutrophils were back from their summer hols and had sprung into action - a "normal"  count is between 1.5 and 8 and mine had returned at a hefty 6.7.  This news so pleased the Haematology Registrar who also declared that as my other bloods...

Where we get a glimpse of an immune system and wanton theft.

Well dear readers here am I still imprisoned with the “this patient has no immune system” sign on the door but perhaps a little grateful that things haven’t sped along. While the rest of the country has been sweltering, the iso wards have a lovely vent over the bed constantly puffing cool, purified air – blissful and all designed to ensure air from the hallway doesn’t enter your room.  Apparently,...

The Main Event

Well it’s done but not over. When I left you last, I said I’d see you on the other side of the brutal bit…. I can’t honestly describe it as brutal – mostly feeling quite okay for most of the time with a couple of shabby  moments; though those that love me said I went a rather ashen shade for while. (a gentle grey – perhaps that may have looked good on a bathroom wall rather than a face.) Let’s...

A room with a view and a different dining experience

Well dear readers, here I am firmly ensconced in my room for the next three weeks or so at the Hammersmith hospital.  The alternative to my hospital dinner was dinner at The Ivy…… Let’s rewind …….. Two weeks ago, I had a treasure hunt of tests to make sure I’m fit enough to undergo the rest of the process.  I was issued with a “marauder’s map” and set loose in the hospital for such...

The one about hair - and the eye of the beholder

Well today I packed away the hair dryer, hair straighteners and various mousses, hairsprays etc as they are all surplus to requirements.  They’ve been unnecessary for a few weeks now but kicking around, ready if called upon.  They’re now boxed up in readiness for employment sometime in the future. I have had long hair most of my life (and cats!). That's me on the right - clearly we...

The week that didn't go to plan

Well this was the week that didn’t go to plan…… Having been warned that this process was going to be a bit of a rollercoaster, we’ve experienced our first little dip.  (and there was I thinking I’d rocked the first stage!) In my last post I wrote that my neutrophils (the first responders) had packed themselves off for a long weekend leaving me vulnerable to infection.  Well it would...

Of blood counts, cats and a thought of writing a cookbook

Well Friday turned into a day of running about. It was blood count day so my lovely daughter and I set off for London on Thursday evening ahead of a morning appointment at the hospital for blood count and review. All fairly uneventful in the beginning.  Being able to use a hospital flat is fab – they’re comfortable and well appointed and free of charge to patients.  Without the flat...