Peter’s Hospital Diary

The transplant took place as planned yesterday afternoon. After all the build up, the event itself is a bit of an anti-climax – just a bag of cells that are infused into my veins via the Hickman line. However in a way it is my life contained in that bag! Scary thought!

After the transplant I had a long Piriton-induced doze for the rest of the afternoon, and woke up just in time for a visit from Felicity, and then Katie. Yesterday was Katie’s last day in London and she and Felicity travelled home last night. I slept well last night too – perhaps relief that the transplant has finally taken place. It is now a waiting game while the stems cells swim round looking for their new home in my bone marrow, and start the controlled takeover bid! The estimates are about 14 to 21 days for a donor transplant (it was 12 for my last self donated transplant). I am expecting my white cell counts to drop off this weekend, and that signals the start of isolation precautions.

This morning it is a wet but clear day in London. The building works outside started early this morning. I’m not sure what is happening – I think it is improving the access to the front of the hospital. There is a big refurbishment programme in place for the hospital. The room I am in has been re-decorated since last year, and the main ward has improved since my first visit 3 years ago, but it is due for a major refit soon. I can’t help smiling at the thought that this is taking place after the main hospital entrance hall has been completed!

I have managed to get my phone line internet access restored, but I think I shall have to be a bit more circumspect in using it!