Saturday (Saturday – ever loving Saturday)
Jan 28th 2006PeterHospital Stay
It looks really cold outside today, and Felicity, who has just arrived, has confirmed it! The flag on Southwark Cathedral is showing quite a stiff easterly breeze.
So far today has followed the usual pattern, observations, blood and the anti-fungal drug at 7:15 this morning – nothing like a lie-in on a Saturday morning! Breakfast was hot, and served without the slimey baked beans. This is followed by bed making and room cleaning!
Felicity arrived yesterday afternoon, just after I had had another massage (back and shoulders, very relaxing!) by Kim from The Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund (see the link and last Friday’s post!) and just before I started another platelet transfusion. This was followed by the Cyclosporin. I have also started GCSF (Germ Cell Stimulating Factor). This is a hormone (manufactured in the ovaries of Chinese Hamsters – no – I don’t know the tehnical details) which encourages the bone marrow to start stem cell production. These blood stem cells go on to become the various cells that make up blood. It is a subcutaneous injection which I normally give myself. I have had lots of practice in the last few years as this has been a feature of all the transplants. Felicity stayed overnight in a nearby flat owned by Marian and Martin, friends of ours from home. Thank you!
Last night was a bit restless – I’m not sure if I am getting a cold, or just that my mouth is very dry. On the plus side, the mucositis seems to have reduced, although my sense of taste is still altered.
Which leads back to hospital food. It isn’t just my sense of taste! Felicity, in her role as food guru, tried last night’s macaroni cheese and declared it to be tasteless. However, lunch today was deemed tasty, although my sense of taste didn’t think so. The chocolate sponge and custard was OK though!
So on with the waiting game for the new cells to get to work!
5 Responses to “Saturday (Saturday – ever loving Saturday)”
Mark - fellow patient on 28 Jan 2006 at 6:39 pm #
Dear Peter,
I’m not sure if I can make a comment on this site. Just testing.
Mark (room 5)
Peter on 28 Jan 2006 at 10:02 pm #
No problem, Mark. The first comment is always moderated! Hope your treatment is going well! (Mark is two rooms down from me, undergoing a similar procedure)
Elspeth on 28 Jan 2006 at 10:15 pm #
Hi Peter
I have had problems with connections so have just caught up with last 3 days (!). Delighted that you still have the energy to keep everyone informed, although I guess there’s a bit of a therapeutic value in writing too. What was it like before, being stuck in isolation with nothing but glass between you and the outside world – I can only imagine! Saw Steve today (in Worcester for Trustees mtg, he’s looking a happier chap!) Left home at 2.50am and arrived after a hassell-free 5 1/4hr trip (at a steady 69mph!) from Glasgow where the temp was 6C and in W’ter -0.5C !!
Blowing a few neutrophils along with xx and the usual L’n’Hs, Elspeth
Peter on 28 Jan 2006 at 10:34 pm #
Thanks Elspeth – all seems to be going well!
L’n’H
Peter
Gill & Tricia on 30 Jan 2006 at 5:03 pm #
Hi Peter,
We’ve been reading your diary so we can keep an eye on you and just wanted to let you know that we are thrilled that you are out of isolation and doing so well – mind you we would expect nothing less from you!! Sorry to hear the food is not up to much – it could be worse though – Gill’s cooking skills have not yet reached hospital standards so how bad are they!! Seriously we are sooo pleased that you are responding well to all that is being thrown at you and we think of you often. Take care of yourself – love Gill & Tricia (CARE Line).