Tuesday - Where did January go?
Jan 31st 2006PeterHospital Stay
Another morning like yesterday - the forecast mist hasn’t appeared, the building work outside (I think it is a car park) continues!
I am a bit ahead of myself today - it was a bit of a restless night so I was up fairly early. I have given up on the cooked breakfast - I’ve just had some cereal, Rice Krispies, which although taste a bit like cardboard, at least have some nourishment. I am also reminded how fortunate I am in a side room, the smell on the ward this morning was pretty bad. Maybe I smell that bad - I’d better have a shower and get dressed for when the ward round starts! I suppose the same mechanism that has affected my sense of taste has affected smell as well, after all, they are closely related, but it does seem hyper sensitive. I think it is the smell of food as much as the taste that puts me off.
Not a lot else to report this morning!
Well the really good news of yesterday was that my counts were improving and the isolation precautions could be relaxed. I am still in the same room, but visitors no longer need the plastic aprons. I also move off the neutropenic diet onto ‘normal’ hospital food, which might not be so bland. If all goes well, I may be out by Friday. I hope so!
My first trip out was down to get a paper - and when I got back I had to lie down for a few minutes - I felt very weak! The next venture out was in a chauffeur driven wheel chair down to ultrasound to check up on my kidneys, although the back pain has gone now. The ultrasound showed nothing untoward, so I took a leisurely stroll back to the ward (my chauffeur being called elsewhere!)
Melinda called in this evening, on the way back from a meeting at Guy’s. We cracked a (small) bottle of wine between us in celebration!
The mineral infusions have continued with potassium. Apparently the levels are very low, leading to an increased risk of heart attack! Although that risk is very low, definitely one to avoid!
Fingers crossed that it continues to go well…
On a completely different note, the telephone line at the other end of the blog server has been repaired, so the intermittent access of the last 5 days should be over. I will be moving the blog to my server when I get out - I’ll post more details nearer the time.
5 Comments »
5 Responses to “Tuesday - Where did January go?”
Carol (Sister of another Patient) on 31 Jan 2006 at 17:02 #
Hi Peter,
I was just given this website by my brother who is also there in isolation.
Congratulations on your release from Isolation, I know he is like a caged lion.
Peter on 31 Jan 2006 at 17:52 #
Hi Carol, You must be Mark’s sister! Hope he is out of isolation soon. He has posted a couple of comments on the blog, and a couple of my friends have asked after him!
Best wishes…
Peter
Carol (Mark's Sister) on 31 Jan 2006 at 21:40 #
Hi Peter,
Yes Mark’s sister.
I did read through and ask Mark if he was the loud snorer….(As if!!!)
Great site and very much needed when not much going on.
My sister and I were both tested to see if we were a match and luckily My younger sister was a perfect match.
I wish you well.
Carol
Elspeth on 31 Jan 2006 at 22:29 #
DELIGHTED to hear of the white count , Peter, most impressive! And that despite the hospital food, so the Rice Krispies are obviously a good substitute. Great that the kidney scan was also fine/no problem.
Keep it up, and I hope too that you will soon be homeward bound.
I look forward to the next instalment!
L’n'Hs, E.
Neil G on 01 Feb 2006 at 9:56 #
Hi Peter
Just got back to the blog after loing the original link - had saved it to Favorites and it didn’t work so asked Elspeth to forward on the link- thanks Elspeth.
Great news about the progress and the continuing improvement.
Any progress on your discharge date?
Reading the regular weather update reminded me how cold it has been down here in Romsey - so you haven’t missed much.
Take care and hope the forward march continues at a pace.
Neil