12b or not 12b

I am back in St George’s! After an early start, we got here a good time before my suggested arrival time of 11am, and I was put into room 12b. I’ve been here before, but only for one night – it’s pretty small, though the bathroom’s big. There’s still ample room for my bits and pieces; more annoying is the fact that it’s on the dark side of the corridor, though I do get to appreciate the Japanese garden outside the window! The telephone number ends 2575.

Having had my blood taken, I went down to peabody’s with my father, and who should I bump into but a couple of friends from Downside! They (Henry Trowbridge, James Lombard and Will Edwards, though Will wasn’t here today) are cycling the Camino de Santiago de Compostela this summer, and raising money for none other than a charity here on the Ruth Myles Unit. I know they have a Just Giving site, and will let you know more details soon. It’s fantastic what the guys are doing.

I had a really inspiring chat to Suzie, the receptionist here on RMU who has set the charity up. It aims to improve the quality of life of haemotology and oncology patients, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy and stuck in isolation. This might be through providing access to complementary therapies, or by setting up technological links to help people keep contact with families, or presenting patients with other people’s stories to suggest possible coping mechanisms. Having long ago decided that day-to-day comfort and happiness is of the utmost importance, I think the charity sounds brilliant. You will definitely be hearing more about it and about the cyclists.

Unfortunately, however, I am not typing this on the internet, but emailing it from my phone, as the powers that be have, unjustifiably and thoughtlessly, decided that we cannot have internet access on the ward. This is all related to the Patientline contract, which is nonsensical anyway, as Patientline are not providing internet access themselves. They might have some kind of leg to stand on if they were, though even then the internet would be limited (an internet browser; no good if you want to use outlook to send group emails to members of your charity, or log on to a virtual private network for work reasons, to give a couple of examples) and expensive. I think it is pig-headed to deny us a system, already set up and ready to go, that would dramatically improve our quality of life. Whoever made the decision has clearly not spent even a moment thinking about what’s best for the patients. Grrrr!

I start chemo tomorrow – I think it wasn’t ready today. I’m not too worried about it, and intend to make the most of the time I’m not neutropaenic to keep my legs well exercised and my belly well fed! I’m open to visitors, with the usual request that you ring first to let me know and make sure the time is suitable.

And by no means least, a massive thank you to my father for my time at home, which was lovely! Thanks also to Sue for her help and support.