"Anyone who signs up to the stem cell register must have at least a minimal level of goodness," I was telling our guests on Saturday, not long before they went on their way. And it's true. You're offering to help a stranger – if you're found one day to be a match – with no benefit … Continue reading ♫ And you were there, my good man ♫
A time for giving?
I know I've left it a bit late to ask for Christmas presents this year, and the chances are I'm not getting you anything, but I'm going to inflict with my wish list anyway – BECAUSE IT'S CHRISTMAS! And, of course, as any John Lewis advert devotee will remember from a few years ago, the joy is in … Continue reading A time for giving?
Lead role: watch why I was persuading politicians…
As you may remember (or, if you're really unlucky, you'll have witnessed), I'm always keen to tell my story, if it might help others going through similar challenges – and that's why I went to the House of Commons on 15th July to try to persuade MPs to support Anthony Nolan's major Destination: Cure. I … Continue reading Lead role: watch why I was persuading politicians…
Lead role: watch why I was persuading politicians…
As you may remember (or, if you're really unlucky, you'll have witnessed), I'm always keen to tell my story, if it might help others going through similar challenges – and that's why I went to the House of Commons on 15th July to try to persuade MPs to support Anthony Nolan's major Destination: Cure. I … Continue reading Lead role: watch why I was persuading politicians…
Passing it on with Destination: Cure
JULY 2016 UPDATE: NHS England has, devastatingly, announced it will no longer routinely fund second stem cell transplants – the opposite of what I explained Anthony Nolan and I were trying to do in my post below, this time last year. Please sign and share Anthony Nolan's petition against this. You can read more on their … Continue reading Passing it on with Destination: Cure
Day +214: Covering all bases
There was always a bit of a joke in my family as we were growing up: with four children, my parents thought they might be well provided for if one of us grew up to be a doctor, another an accountant, a third a lawyer and finally, I think, it was a toss-up between a … Continue reading Day +214: Covering all bases
Day +181: The patience of patients
Q. What do you call a winner who is quite happy to wait around before receiving his/her medal? A. ... Remarkably, at my last clinic appointment at St George's, I showed my face at reception pretty much bang on time and was ushered through immediately to see the doctor. I was flabbergasted, having set myself up … Continue reading Day +181: The patience of patients
Day 167: Inspirational individuals
On Thursday evening I had the privilege of attending a private viewing of Anthony Nolan's fantastic After exhibition, and I'm still trying to process the thoughts and emotions it inspired in me. After comprises photos showing patients who have had bone marrow transplants, accompanied by a description of their story, often focusing on a particular aspect of life they have managed … Continue reading Day 167: Inspirational individuals
Days +51 to +55: The Donor Song (my new bone marrow’s from you)
I sometimes wonder whether I could have been a half-decent musician, had I ever put in the hours practising. "But why break a habit of a lifetime?" I thought this weekend when recording The Donor Song (my new bone marrow's from you) in a fit of gratitude and creativity. I'll use my bunged-up nose to plead … Continue reading Days +51 to +55: The Donor Song (my new bone marrow’s from you)
Day +50 (and +47 to +49): Treatment by numbers
1 readmission to hospital since discharge following stem cell transplant (average is apparently three in first year post-transplant) 2 times as bushy: my eyebrows seem to have thickened dramatically; fine hair has also appeared on the bottom of my nose, my ears and, to a lesser extent, the rest of my head. I'm not sure why... … Continue reading Day +50 (and +47 to +49): Treatment by numbers