Peter's Hospital Diary

Having been (gently) taken to task about updating, it is time for an update on last week!

The ECP was uneventful, and becoming almost routine. However I was supposed to see the consultant dermatologist on Monday after the first session – only to find that the appointment had been moved. I was on a large kit – takes more blood over fewer cycles, but the risk that people with low blood pressure (like me) can feel faint. Fortunately I was OK! This was also the first session in the new day centre, on the second floor at St Thomas’s. Nicely fitted out – but the views aren’t as good. The old ward on the 12th floor is being refitted as a swine ‘flu isolation ward.

I had a meeting locally on Wednesday before heading back to Corsham for the rest of the week. I stayed up on Friday night before heading over towards Milton Keynes to visit Bletchley Park – home of the WW2 codebreakers. I have been before but this time I was in a group of like minded people and it was, as before, an excellent day out and highly recommended! Best of all, the ticket is valid for a year – and there is too much to see in one visit!

I hope you all remembered to put your clocks back on Sunday morning! We ‘celebrated’ with the first open fire of the season on Sunday afternoon – but it was good to wake up in twilight this morning!

Onwards and Upwards!

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Busy week again last week, but the highlight was last weekend when we traveled up to St Annes for a re-union with my flat mates, Martin, Tom and Jon, from University. Two medical students, a dental student and myself in first a Hall of Residence (where we met) then a University flat, and finally a privately rented house!

We have met up individually over the years,and kept in touch, but this was the first time all four of us had got together pretty much since we graduated. and with our other halves! I suppose one reason is that with children growing up, it has been difficult to co-ordinate a weekend away, but now they are grown up, there are fewer pressures.

It was a great weekend – the years rolled away, memories were revived and exploits re-lived, and we slipped into our old personas, but the nicest thing was that we talked about the intermediate times and the present, it wasn’t just nostalgia, and that to me is the sign of enduring friendship, and people I could (can and have) relied on when the going gets tough. And it was interesting to discuss how we saw each other in those days, and see how things have turned out. And far more that just un recherche du temps perdu!

And so the food was eaten (thank you Stephanie) and the wine flowed and we mellowed and chilled!

We drove back last night, and then today it was back to reality – or in my case up to St Thomas’s for another session of ECP!

So an excellent weekend, and one that we have resolved to repeat again in the not too distant future! guys and also Stephanie, Elaine, Carol and Felicity!

Onwards and upwards!

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The weather that is, not me! I have just realised (looking at the large number of comments) that it is nearly ten days since I last posted – fresh from the check up! I have continued to be busy at work, and weekends have been taken up with those jobs that tend to accumulate while away from home (either working or on holiday

I had another check up at Guy’s earlier this week, where GvHd is causing a minor specific problem, but it seems as if a topical immuno-suppressant should sort it out, with a review in a month’s time. However, while I was buying my lunch in M&S on Wednesday, I bumped into Dr Kazmi, so although I hadn’t seen him at the haematology check up, we had a quick chat as we walked back to Guy’s.

Autumn seems well and truly upon us, the mornings are dark when I get up, and the heating in both my flat and at home has been switched on, and I suppose it is only two weeks until the clocks go back on Sunday 25th! Ah well, lighter mornings, darker evenings!

So that is pretty much it for the moment. Just looked at the clock and decided that it is time to pack up for the drive home!

Onwards and upwards!

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