Peter’s Hospital Diary

Well, I am still in my little room, and champing at the bit to go home – I feel ready to go now but I am resigned to a few more days yet! It is, incredibly, 27 days since I was admitted; tomorrow will be the start of the 5th week! The time has flown by!

This morning is yet again grey, with a westerly wind and a sky with little flecks of blue in it!

I had a good nights sleep – really deep at times! The cooked breakfast didn’t tun up at all this morning, which was a pity as I was almost looking forward to it – but then perhaps in a few days time I’ll be able to cook my own!

No sign of the ward round yet, although I have seen Sheeba, (house officer) who explained the reasons why I have temporarily changed immuno-suppressive drugs. I read the patient leaflet note for the alternative which explained that it is normally given to prevent rejection in heart, liver and kidney transplants. Reading that brings home the fact that it really is a transplant that I have had. It might not be as dramatic as a surgical transplant, but the consequences and side effects could be just as dramatic.

Yesterday afternoon passed pleasantly with a book, and then Felicity arrived in the late afternoon. She was closely followed by Elspeth (LeukaemiaCare) who stayed for about 45 minutes. Felicity stayed most of the evening before going back to our friends’ flat. She will be coming in again this morning.

Everything bodywise seems to be settling down. There is still a need to balance cyclosporin levels so that I can return to the oral preparation (which has been suspended in favour of this other drug) but the spike impaired kidney function seems to have gone. There is still a small spike in liver function, but I hope that today’s blood results will show that that is returning to normal.

Mark, my fellow patient, was in yesterday. He is now a day patient (he lives close enough to return if things go awry) – but I don’t intend to be far behind him!