Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 15 – 15 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 56)
I have almost constant discomfort, bordering on pain, in my gut. It feels like bad heartburn or indigestion. Apparently this is expected, and is due to the Melphalan, the most potent of the chemo drugs I’ve had. Prof Johnson was on ward rounds today. He’s the top consultant for blood cancer in Hampshire (so I…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 14 – 14 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 55)
In relation to how I’m feeling, things are still getting worse. And I’m now at my most vulnerable too, so things could get even worse quite quickly. When I got up for the toilet in the night I came over with a cold sweat and almost passed out, and I’ve just been lying in bed…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 13 – 13 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 54)
If Tuesday was Day Zero, this must be the Day of Zeroes. WCC and neutrophils were 0.0 today, as expected. That means I have no immune system. There’s nothing much interesting to say really today. I’ve felt so washed out that I haven’t really done anything. I haven’t been able to eat again, but have…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 12 – 12 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 53)
I lose track of days, but it must be Saturday today. Heidi came to see me this evening rather than during the day, because of all the kids stuff on (and bits of Christmas shopping still left to do). And she’s staying overnight in the relatives’ room so that she doesn’t have to travel back…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 11 – 11 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 52)
I’m only about half way through my hospital stay. And it feels such a long time to go until I get home. And even when I get home I know it’s going to be a long road to full recovery. I’m definitely starting to feel the strain on my body now. Tummy ache and going…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 10 – 10 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 51)
If yesterday was boring, today was almost more so… until later. I felt a bit off-colour and a bit tired at a few points in the day, but mostly I’m still feeling ok. My bowel movements are being ‘monitored’ now, as my 7 or 8 off-colour moments seem to be related to them (I’m trying…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 9 – Wednesday 9 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 50)
Thoughts from yesterday. Today is the anti-climax really, rather than yesterday. No chemo, no stem cells. Just sitting around, trying to keep occupied in some way, but really just waiting for the inevitable deterioration that is due to happen in a few days. I slept well, relatively, last night. Heidi brought Tom and Anna with…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 8 – 8 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 49)
Day Zero! Before we get to the important part, for the benefit of my mum, let’s get this part out of the way – the food has been very nice so far. I’ve enjoyed all of it (although perhaps the soup was a bit bland if I was to be fussy). I haven’t been organised…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 7 – 7 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 48)
The IV fluids were going all night, at a slow rate. When the drip machine is going at that speed it sounds like Barney, our dog, snoring as he normally does in the corner of our bedroom at night. So it’s not particularly disruptive. But I still didn’t sleep well. It probably has something to…
Stem Cell Transplant Journal Day 6 – 6 December 2015 (Cancer and Me 47)
Ok, so I said I would skip today’s journal. But I was persuaded by my mum to post something because she likes to keep in touch. I just didn’t want to be boring people with the same old stuff! So here we are on ‘Day -2’. Last night’s sleep was ok, and ‘obs’ were all…