Well, that was quick. A mere three days ago, I wasn't even neutropaenic. Now I have 0.0 neutrophils (neutropaenic is below 1.0), and a lack of white blood cells to match (0.1, compared to a normal range of 4-11). Platelets are way down, too, at 12 (normal is 150-450). All to be expected if you … Continue reading Wipeout
From the archive: Bacon vs leukaemia
Old-timers may will remember the importance I put on bacon in my life, not just in a physical sense, but also as a symbol for one of the simplest but – to me – most important ways I get through my days, whether in hospital or beyond: my almost famous bacon theory. Rather than explain … Continue reading From the archive: Bacon vs leukaemia
Blood count: the slide begins
Who better to introduce a post about blood counts than everybody's favourite counting count, Count von Count? Unfortunately we might end up having to leave him behind, though, as I'm not sure he ever got as far as decimals... As you probably already know, the good news is that I've now finished this protocol and … Continue reading Blood count: the slide begins
L’intensità…
(Il mio post in inglese tradotto e modificato da Mariacristina, con il suo talento, stile e senso d'umorismo... e un po' di monelleria) Dicevano che sarebbe stato un trattamento intenso. Non mentivano! Non sono riuscito a scrivere sul mio blog per un paio di giorni perche' non ho energie e mi sento molto stanco. Per ovviare … Continue reading L’intensità…
This is Hardcore
Well, they said it was going to be intensive, and they definitely weren't joking. I've not managed to blog for a few days because the chemo really wiped out my energy levels. The good news is that I was given some blood last night and am receiving some more now, boosting my haemoglobin and therefore … Continue reading This is Hardcore
Days 2/3… / Giorni 2/3…
So! Allora! Last night was a late one after all, as the Cytarabine couldn't start until four hours after the Fludarabine had finished, and then was dripped in over another four hours, finishing somewhere near 2am. But Day 2 was then complete, and at least the Fludarabine only took 30min! I've been feeling sleepy today, … Continue reading Days 2/3… / Giorni 2/3…
Hormone, Hickman and, er, cHemo
PER GLI ITALIANI: ho iniziato il trattamento e ricevuto la prima chemioterapia, attraverso il mio nuovo Hickman line! Provero' di scriverne di piu' dopo... Hormone Yesterday was Day 1 of treatment, meaning I got my first G-CSF (a growth hormone to encourage the immature lymphoblasts to get out and about into the bloodstream and into … Continue reading Hormone, Hickman and, er, cHemo
Bone marrow superheroes / Supereroi del midollo osseo
Clicca qui per saltare alla spiegazione italiana A lot of people have been asking about getting on the bone marrow registry, which is fabulous to hear as the more people who sign up, the more chance anyone needing a match (such as, I don't know, a relapsed ALL patient) will do so. As the Anthony … Continue reading Bone marrow superheroes / Supereroi del midollo osseo
Visitors: some sort of a guide
QUICK NOTE: my hospital address is in the column on the right I'm touched when people ask when is a good time to visit, and I would love to be able to reply individually to each request (as to all messages and comments) with a specific answer. But that sounds like too much effort, so … Continue reading Visitors: some sort of a guide
Slow progress / avanzamento lento
THANK YOU! The response Mariacristina and I have had from friends, relatives and people we'd been trying to shake off for years has been overwhelming (in a hugely positive way); thank you all so much for your kindness, generosity, support and love. It means more than you can imagine. GRAZIE! La risposta che io e … Continue reading Slow progress / avanzamento lento