Peter’s Hospital Diary

And there is some good news, but to keep you all in suspense, I just want to say a few things about the blog!

The blog software runs on my own computer under the Linux operating system. Now because I use Linux, this doesn’t support Internet Explorer so I usually use Opera or Mozilla Firefox as the test browser. The blog software is pretty standard, although I do tweak the views and themes to get it as I want it, and I run a couple of blogs (including Elspeth’s) which all use identical code. So I was surprised to get a report saying that the pages on this blog don’t always display correctly, and sure enough, when I checked it on another computer with IE6, it doesn’t – and I’m at a loss to know why!

I’m not a fan of IE – it doesn’t conform to open standards, and has strange quirks – IE7 might be better – but I haven’t tried it. However both Opera and Firefox will run under Windows, and I personally think they are better browsers than IE6. They will work straight off the download, but both can be optionally customised, and Opera can be made to look just like IE6! Both are ‘tabbed’ browsers which means you can have multiple pages open at any one time.

I urge you to try one of them – you can get Opera here or try Firefox here. You have nothing to lose, and they will display “Peter’s Hospital Diary” to best advantage!

Right – on with the news! I had a call from Robert Carr on Monday. Robert is a leukaemia specialist, but has looked after me since I was first diagnosed in 1999, passing me over to specialist teams for specific treatment (such as the transplants) when required. I haven’t seen him much for the last 12 months, while I have been under the care of Dr Kazmi and Linny, but I know he takes an interest, and has been a tower of strength and support over the years.

Anyway, he happened to be in the PET centre on Monday, and mentioned my case to the team there. The upshot was that there looked to be less disease active in this scan than in the previous one (before Christmas), and that my case was going to be discussed at the multi-disciplinary meeting yesterday afternoon, with the possibility of a ‘phone call last night.

Well the call didn’t arrive, but the lovely Linny has just called this morning, confirming the good news, and we have discussed a way ahead. While more chemo might be a good idea under normal circumstances, the reaction I have have had tends to preclude it, especially as the ingredient that it probably the most useful therapeutically (the Doxorubicin) is the one causing the problems. However I am going up to the clinic tomorrow to receive a dose of donor lymphocytes to attempt to trigger the Graft Vs Host Disease, and the wanted Graft Vs Lymphoma effect. As Linny said, “I continue to surprise them!”

Now this is a long shot – no guarantees – the dynamics of the disease has changed, etc etc, but it is an active process, and as I said – I’m not giving in – so this is welcome news indeed! As for myself, I feel so much stronger than I did 10 days ago – and that in itself has strengthened my resolve and will. I have put on about 7 Lbs (still only 10 stone!) but I am now eating well. I’ve even managed a bit of housework! Last night I had lamb casserole, broccoli (vegetables, Liz!) and mashed potato – and some syrup sponge and custard! So my appetite is definitely better. Cheese on toast at lunch time was good too!

Finally, Hilary (friend from primary school!) asked what it is about the fetish for bacon and sausage sandwiches! Sorry Hilary, it’s a boy thing, and if you have to ask, I can’t explain!

So with this news, I think I am justified in a cautious “Onwards and Upwards” – but remember it is a long shot! But to put the icing on today’s cake, the sun is shining, and the birds are flocking round the bird feeder (including some goldfinches!) So yes – Onwards and Upwards!

Sorry no new photos of Olivia this time – maybe next time!