Friday… a momentous day!
May 22nd 2009PeterGetting My Life Back!
Not so much today, but it is ten years ago today that I first had an inkling that things were not quite right – little did I know then that life would never be quite the same again!
I was in America on a business trip, and when the business activities had finished, I stayed on to take a holiday, joined by my family. We were staying with friends in North Carolina and I developed a rash and itchy palms. Eventually I went to the local health centre and had one of the most comprehensive check ups ever – including blood tests and x-rays. The eventual diagnosis was that I had an enlarged spleen, indicative of several things, including (in passing) leukaemia. Whatever it was, I was advised to get it investigated, but I went away with a prescription for anti-biotics. (I wonder if he thought I had Lyme’s disease)
On the basis that rare things are rare, I took the anti-biotics, paid the bill (so glad I had medical insurance for the holiday!) and returned to the UK three weeks later and (because I was based in London at the time) I ended up at St Thomas’s for investigation and an eventual diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma – two years later re-diagnosed as mantle cell lymphoma.
And here, 10 years, two self donated transplants and one unrelated donor transplants later, I am! A journey not without its moments of suspense and drama! – And here thanks to the advances in medical science and the team at Guy’s and St Thomas’s, and also Southampton General Hospital! (And I did ring up that Doctor in the US to thank him!)
So to all those and those who have supported me over the years, a very big THANK YOU!
Onwards and upwards!
3 Responses to “Friday… a momentous day!”
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Richard on 22 May 2009 at 7:07 am #
Thank you Peter for being an outstanding example of fortitude and positive thinking throughout.
Please remind Gillian that as we haven’t been to The Resort for some time they may have cut off the power so the jacuzzi may have to be cleaned out first, perhaps a job for Peter in his rubber suit 🙂
Gillian on 22 May 2009 at 8:40 pm #
Does this mean we get birthday cake?? And jelly and ice-cream? and a proper party – most excellent!
Don your rubber then Peter and get scrubbing, summer is definitely coming and we need to use the facilities.
I’ll dig out party recipes, Richard, bring the booze…………..
Richard on 24 May 2009 at 11:11 am #
….Gosh it’s dark down here, (makes mental note to install light in the cellar..) what do you want Gillian I assume Peter will be back on the Pimm’s?