Peter’s Hospital Diary

It was an early start to get up to the Day Unit for just after 9am, for what promised (and turned out to be) a long day!

I was feeling a bit tired when I got there – to the extent that it was remarked on, and the observations showed that my blood pressure was low, and my oxygen saturation was also a bit low – next thing I was attached to an oxygen cylinder! I must say oxygen does act as a quick pick-you-up – I ought to get a bottle for home! (As an aside, I am a qualified oxygen administrator – but only for diving related conditions)

I then saw Natasha (haematology registrar) who taught me a new medical term – that I was looking “slightly grottier” than last time she saw me – on Monday! (In turn, I am delighted to report that Natasha looked as delightful as ever :)) She also had a listen to my chest, and decided that a chest X-ray was required just to check that there was no infection present, so a porter was summoned to take me down in a wheel chair, and a smaller portable O2 cylinder tracked down, and off we trundled for the X-ray.

All this shenanigan took most of the morning, then it was a quick check with Rob (Specialist Transplant Registrar) to discuss the options. Apart from having a prescription for more antibiotics just in case there is a low level infection – although the chest X-ray was clear) we went ahead with the chemo. There has a been a response, although Rob could still feel a few nodes, so I might yet have a third cycle, although the final decision will rest on the response from this next cycle.

Once we started the chemo, it all went well. No nasties from the Rituximab, and the rest of the chemo (Vincristine, Doxyrubicin and cyclophosphamide) were all administered by Liz – one of the haematology specialist support nurses. I also had a litre of saline to make sure I was hydrated and to bring my blood pressure up.

You may remember that Liz joined the team last year, just before my transplant, and one of her projects has been to work work with other Liz (Ward Manager) to get Samaritan Ward refurbished. That is at last going ahead, starting in May, and will consist of 16 positive pressure, en-suite isolation rooms, and 3 negative pressure en-suite isolation rooms. (The negative pressure rooms are for patients with injections – the negative pressure ensures that the bugs aren’t pumped out into the atmosphere) There will also be a dedicated minor treatment area. The whole set up looks very exciting and will take about 6 months. There is an overall reduction in the number of beds, but coinciding with that, and to complement the trend towards day patient care, the day unit is likely to be expanded too!

I final escaped from the day unit at just after 4 (and thanks to Emma, who looked after me in the morning – during my ‘Grotty’ phase! – and to Louise, who made numerous cups of tea!) then it was a quick call to the pharmacy to pick up another small medicine cabinet of drugs to go with the ones to support the chemo, then home for 6:30, with, if not exactly a spring in my step, certainly feeling better than I had been that morning!

So get to work you toxic little chemicals – onwards and upwards!

(Oh yes – 12th night tomorrow – new theme on the way!)