HI again, one other point about the stem cells, the collection isn't always successful, so the doctors don't usually fix dates until they have collected the right number, but once they have them bagged up they will crack on and book you in for the transplant within a few weeks, depending on work commitments and things.
It's best to look ahead…[Read more]

HI Ann and Pete, hey I can claim the first reply on your new thread! Congrats on setting it up – the beginning indeed, but hopefully the end of your course of treatment 🙂
In answer to your questions, the GCSF shouldn't have too many effects, but Pete should start feeling some aching, maybe in the lower back and legs, my legs were really tired…[Read more]

HI Ann,
Thanks for the post, no need to worry, I am doing fine considering it is only 2 and a half weeks since I came out of hospital! My taste has come back fine, and my mouth is ok again and I have plenty of energy, just takes a while to get going in the mornings. Have been to work a couple of days, and we went to 2 dinners over the weekend, so…[Read more]

Hi Vicky and Colin,
So pleased that you have finally got Colin home again, it is pretty overwhelming after being stuck in one clinical room for a month, not far short of being in prison really when there is no chance of escaping! I just loved being back under my own roof, but felt a bit vulnerable for a while.
I am sure you will pamper him, and…[Read more]

Ahh, thanks Ange, I feel quite humbled!
I'm not too sure what I can say now the exciting bit is over, but I am really pleased that the thread was helpful – mostly down to the other Club members comments I am sure, but Lena always reads the various progress reports, and I will try to stick my two-pennorth in if I can offer advice to others. It is…[Read more]

HI Vicky, So glad that Colin is improving and that they have got to the bottom of his pains, thats great! And you said he may be home tomorrow too, that is just brilliant, so pleased for you both.
I am absolutely fine, appetite really good, just as well as I lost about 5kg, and there is nothing of me! I'm stuffing in beer, chocolates, fish and…[Read more]

Hi Anne and Pete, I am more than happy to offer a few words of 'wisdom', and feel quite honoured that you have asked, so please don't apologise because this is exactly what the forum is for.
You will probably be dealing with Dr Bolam who is charge of the transplants,, and is very well respected but can be a bit brief in his explanations!I quite…[Read more]

HI Vicky,
glad to hear that the hospital are looking into the pains, I got the nurses to measure from my forearms a few times, or swap arms as they always used the right one ('it's what your right arm's for' do you remember that advert!) haha, where was I? Oh yes I was going to say that I was warned that 9 out of 10 patients get an infection,…[Read more]

I had my latest check up at Outpatients today, and we did have to be patient too!
The good news was that my neuts are up to 0.95, and they have cut most of my meds now! We celebrated with a pub lunch and a look at some of the flooding which has been bad round here.
I am feeling that things have really turned a corner and that we may have…[Read more]

HI Karen,
I think you will find it easier to prepare if you know what you are letting yourself in for! It sounds scary all at once, but taken one small step at a time it's much less daunting! It's soon over really in the scheme of things.
They said from the start that most patients have 6-8 cycles of CTD, and my pp's took a long time to reach…[Read more]

Hi Kes,
I wanted to welcome you to the 'Club', as a fairly new member since last November myself and a similar age to you.
I am really pleased that you have found the site as it the best way of finding out what is happening to you from people going through exactly the same thing. The hospitals are limited in the general help they give, and…[Read more]

HI Vicky, I have put a reply on your Blog,
Chris

Hi Vicky, so sorry to hear about the false start on Tuesday, you must have been so upset having finally got him home! Colins sickness may well have been the temperature – a few months ago my temp suddenly shot up and I was really sick and ended up in the hospital. Definately sounds like withdrawal from the hospital food LOL!

Poor chap really is…[Read more]

HI Vicky,
So glad to hear that all is looking good for Colin for this week, I am sure it will do him the world of good to be at home with you, and away from the Hospital.
My NP's still only 0.42, but they are on their way up, and I am back there on Friday for a monitoring checkup. Got the all clear today though,and home for good, so I am sure…[Read more]

Hi Megan,
Thank you, and I am really pleased that my ramblings have been of help to you and Phil! I really shouldn't worry about beating records, Tom is obviously a superhero with his 16 days! I was only given my proper discharge today, and my NP's are still 0.42, so a bit under the 0.5, and that has been 28 days since I went in. I feel really…[Read more]

Hi Tom,
I agree, I went back into the Ward today for a last blood test and to get the 'all clear' which I did, so brilliant. But all the smells, and noises on the ward suddenly come back to you, and the fact that you are being watched over all the time.
I am taking it carefully, happy to potter around, but Lena is cooking some wonderful food,…[Read more]

HI Ali, thanks and yes it's terrific to be at home, so much to do, but I am just enjoying being here with the family.
The end of Dallas was just great, I just LOL'd when old Cliff Barnes appeared, really wasn't expecting that one, and the next series should be just as good from the look of it! One of the hospital staff was into it, and we…[Read more]

HI Katie,
Glad to help, and yes I'm doing fine. Get your Dad to start a new blog, and we will all chip in to keep his spirits up! It sounds like he is an active bloke, and it really helps to look ahead and plan what you're going to do once you are better again.
Chris

HI Katie,

I said I would give more thought to what your Dad may do during his stay. Everone reacts differently to the treatment, and he will be very tired and not feeling much like eating. I found I could do a few e-mails or see a visitor, and then most afternoons I slept a bit, and I found I didn't sleep well at night as the nurses do wake…[Read more]

HI team and thanks for all your kind words, it is so thoughtful of you!
It has been one of my best days of this year being back home, I lit a fire in the sitting room, and have been keeping warm in from of the cosy flames messing about with coal and wood – the doctors would love me!
It was very strange going out into the fresh air today – cap…[Read more]