While browsing a forum for stem cell transplant patients, I was fascinated to read about one woman who has absolutely no memory of her transplant or the days before and after the procedure. She was looking for reassurance that there was nothing untoward in her lack of memory, particularly given the detailed stories being recounted by … Continue reading Day +14 (and +13): Selective memory
Day +12: Charity case
I reluctantly decided not to go ahead with launching a #selfiewithmyplatelets campaign, partly because I'm not sure anyone in the country has any money left after donating generously to various cancer charities as a result of the #nomakeupselfie campaign on Facebook. I expect you'll have heard of it even if you've avoided the social network, … Continue reading Day +12: Charity case
Day +10: Expectation management
About a week ago, a clearly excited transplant fellow Dara poked his head around my door and told me, among other things, that the lady in the room three doors down from mine had engrafted on Day +10. A few days later, he told me she was going home. On the one hand, it was … Continue reading Day +10: Expectation management
Day +2: Chauffeur-driven service
It's probably my fault for being just too British and hesitant to kick up a fuss, but I often end up being wheeled down to scans etc in a chair, despite my continuing ability and desire to walk using my own two legs. The problem is, once a porter has made the effort to locate first a … Continue reading Day +2: Chauffeur-driven service
Day +1: Post-transplant-party wanderings
When I mentioned to the doctor this morning that I had been a bit slow in getting out of bed this morning, she said it was no surprise, as the empty bottle of bubbly (elderflower pressé), huge balloon behind my bed, party hats stuck to the wall and party streamers scattered across the room showed we'd … Continue reading Day +1: Post-transplant-party wanderings
Time flies when you’re having… a transplant
Somehow we've reached Day -2 in my treatment plan, so my stem cell transplant is taking place very soon indeed. I've got through five days of Fludarabine without much to complain about – and was even allowed out to continue my and Mariacristina's efforts to eat as much good food as possible in the shortest … Continue reading Time flies when you’re having… a transplant
The marvels of medicine (but still no neutrophils)
Today, my doctors inform me that my neutrophils are still 0.0, the infection indicators have reached a 'normal' level (but are still apparent), my haemoglobin is 100 (normal is 130-180) and my platelets are 32 (normal is 150-450). White blood cells are at 0.3 (normal is 4-11) and lymphocytes are the only white blood cells … Continue reading The marvels of medicine (but still no neutrophils)
Wipeout
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
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