Peter’s Hospital Diary

As the title says, today was a day of checks and ECP, but I did say that I would write about the Bank Holiday weekend.

Saturday was a lovely sunny day, so I got a few outside jobs done, starting with a climb up onto the roof to refix the TV aerial to the chimney. Its a long way up and it was quite odd trying to pass lashing straps round the chimney stack, but it all went without a hitch and while I was putting the ladders away, it was an opportunity to sweep out the garage, and also run up the generator for a test. Those who don’t know about the generator, I described it here and here. Anyway, it started and operated without any problems!

We had a visit from Jon and Elaine in the afternoon. Jon was the other flatmate at University, and although we are in contact, e mail, Christmas cards, it is over 20 years since we last met up, so it was good to see him and catch up. There is a photograph, somewhere, so Jon, if you are reading this in Spain, please send it!

We had a reasonably leisurely Sunday, but in the late afternoon drove up to Oxford for a birthday party, given by another friend from University, Faith. A great evening at it was really good to meet up with some other friends from University, Tom, Barbara and Dina and their spouses. We have seen each other from time to time over the years, (and I was at Tom’s birthday bash last year) but we again had a catch up. It is true that the friends you meet at University where you share the ups and downs remain friends for life. They all rallied round when things were tough over the last few years, and I guess their influence when we were younger has helped shape me – so a heartfelt thank you is in order.

We went back to the flat, and then met up again at Faith’s on Monday. A slightly smaller gathering, but the time flew by in very convivial company. So thank you Faith – a very good ‘bash’!

Today I was up bright and early for two days’ of hospital. It started in the lung function laboratory – no results yet, but it seemed to be OK. Then down for the haematology check up with Dr Kazmi. Nothing untoward apart from a slightly elevated platelet count, attributable to the recent cold. I also saw Rachel, the dietician. I have put on a little more weight (67Kg) and my grip strength at 38.8 Kg is only 200gr lower than average, so that is good too. Perhaps time to start a little gentle training, and who knows, perhaps diving might be back on the agenda … 🙂

I took my notes over to St Thomas’s, using that as an excuse to travel on the staff bus, where I happened to bump into my original consultant, Robert. We had a long chat on the trip across London – it has been a while since I saw him.

ECP was uneventful, day one today, with the second session tomorrow morning. But this is the penultimate session, the last one is next month and then it is just monitoring, although if the GvHd does flair up again, I can have more – but the important thing is that it is under control – and I must say I do feel good!

So… Onwards and Upwards!

Tags: ECP, GvHd