A difficult first day
My Allograft 2018/19 – 7. 29th January 2019 By Andy Burrows, 29 January 2019 Harder than I was expecting Today – the first full day of my allograft inpatient experience – was tougher than I was expecting. With the autograft three years ago, the chemo was not too bad while the drugs were being infused.…
The Start of the Climb
My Allograft 2018/19 – 6. 28th January 2019 By Andy Burrows, 28 January 2019 Is this a climb? I’m not going to say much today, other than that the day has finally arrived to start what I’ve been referring to as “My Mount Everest”. The extended wait at “Base Camp” is over, and now it’s…
Countdown
My Allograft 2018/19 – 5. Thursday 24th January 2019 By Andy Burrows, 24 January 2019 Back to CR I saw the stem cell transplant director in Southampton Hospital a few days ago. And she said she thought I’d done really well with the chemo treatment I had to fit in over Christmas. That is, considering…
Home for a Wonderful Christmas
My Allograft 2018/19 – 4. Wednesday 2nd January 2019 By Andy Burrows, 2 January 2019 Happy New Year! Happy New Year everyone! I just thought I’d do a little update. I have to say, last time I updated you I was still a little shell-shocked at the change of plan, and a little cautious thinking…
The perspectives you need to get through any adversity
By Andy Burrows, 19 December 2018 One of the things that is common when talking to people who have had a brush with cancer is to hear phrases like, “it certainly changes your perspective on things.” And people pick up on that and make all kinds of assumptions about the perspective we’re talking about. Sometimes…
This isn’t the update you were expecting
My Allograft 2018/19 – 2. Tuesday 11th December 2018 By Andy Burrows, 11 December 2018 The bit where things were going to plan I’ll start with the part where things were going to plan. But feel free to skip to the next section. I would if I were you. It’s much more interesting and important!…
The length of the climb
My Allograft 2018/19 – 1. Sunday 9th December 2018 By Andy Burrows, 9 December 2018 My daily blog begins again I recorded a bunch of videos over the last week that I had every intention of editing and putting together into a little documentary on what I’ve been doing to prepare for my stem cell…
Packing My Bags
By Andy Burrows, 28 November 2018 I don’t think I needed anything to remind me of the enormity of what’s coming, but I got a reminder yesterday anyway! For the last month it’s been quiet. No treatment, only one short hospital visit each week, hair starting to grow back. I was phoning the stem cell…
Waiting
By Andy Burrows, 11 November 2018 Life at Base Camp Before I give you my reflections on what’s driving my attitude at the moment, it’s worth giving a quick update on my situation to set the scene. I think I mentioned last time that things had settled down after my chemotherapy. My blood counts have…
Treatment Update 21 October 2018
By Andy Burrows, 21 October 2018 I thought, rather than anything too deep, it’s probably time for a news update and a look back over my chemo experience. I have now arrived at Base Camp, using my Everest-climb analogy! I had three cycles of R-ICE chemo, which meant three 4/5-day stints staying in Basingstoke Hospital.…