[u]Day Thirteen (Day Nine)[/u] Freedom from the IV stand

When the nurse came to change Phil's IV fluid bag this morning she said she would check with the doctor if Phil needed another one. The answer was no so after days of being attached to the IV stand Phil has now regained his freedom and even better it was needed somewhere else so it has…[Read more]

Hello Helen,

You are so right, if we look at it like that this is not day thirteen it is actually day 217!!! We are definitely on the home straight! 🙂 🙂

Megan

Hi Kay,

Thanks for posting, it is nice to hear from some one else who was treated at Bart's, now we know the lack of blood result info is normal, it doesn't make it any easier not having a daily print off but at least Phil knows it is not just him! 🙂 The plan from day one was to move Phil to the Bodley Scott Ward which is the mythical…[Read more]

Hi Tom,

Phil will be jealous – a board in your room with your results written up daily? At this stage Phil would just be happy with a piece of paper slipped under the door!! I think the biggest problem is that Phil has still not made it to the actual Transplant Ward, there is such a bed shortage that Phil is still on the general haematology…[Read more]

Day Twelve (Day Eight) – Good news and bad news that is actually good news

After asking every day since he was admitted Phil finally got to see his blood results today (the computer seems to be down a lot!). This is the good news as Phil likes to know exactly what is going on and he has found it hard not knowing what his blood has been…[Read more]

Hi Vicki,

So sorry Colin had to visit the hospital yet again, it just doesn't seem fair, you finally get him home and then he gets sick and at Christmas! Hopefully his bloods pick up quickly now he is on the tamiflu and antibiotics. I also hope you recover quickly, there are so many germs going around at the moment, I feel like I should wear…[Read more]

Hi Tom and Jean,

It appears I jinxed Phil by writing a 'starting to improve' post as two hours later he threw up for the first time, hopefully it will be a one off!!

I am trying to make sure I get enough sleep but I am a bit like a naughty child, there is no one here to tell me to go to bed so I don't 🙂 I am back at work tomorrow for the…[Read more]

[u]Day Eleven (Day Seven)[/u] Starting to Improve

Phil's upset stomach that appeared on day eight is still with him but is getting better so hopefully the corner has been turned. Phil's neutrophils are still dropping, today's reading was 1.3. There was a brief improvement in the neutrophil levels on day nine but the doctors said this was due…[Read more]

[u]Day Ten (Day Six)[/u] More of the same

We knew Phil would be in hospital for 3 to 4 weeks but when you are living your normal life a month can pass in the blink of an eye but when your life becomes reduced to a single hospital room (with no windows!!) the time can drag a bit. Day ten is very similar to days eight and nine but I had to look…[Read more]

Hi Ozzy,

Phil and I have discovered throughout his first line treatment, stem cell harvest and now the transplant that things are very different depending on the hospital. Phil's first line treatment was on the PADIMAC trial and even this seems to be different depending on which participating hospital you are treated at. The general idea is…[Read more]

Hi Helen,

Glad to hear you had a proper Christmas, Phil is losing the weight but I seem to be piling it on. The last time he was in hospital for the leg operations I was such a nervous wreck I didn't eat anything but this time we knew it was coming and knew what to expect and I find when I get home I can't be bothered to cook a proper meal for…[Read more]

Hi Vicki,

It is quite funny, I was soooo desperate to get Phil into a single room and away from all the germs and now he is all by himself I worry because unless someone comes and opens the door nobody can see him!!! I keep saying to Phil when I leave to ring the bell if he needs anything. It is funny how I veer from one extreme to the other…[Read more]

[u]Day Nine (Day Five)[/u] Christmas

A bit tough for both Phil and I today as there is no public transport on Christmas day so I was not able to visit. Note to myself, I must get over my fear of driving in this country!!!

Phil is doing okay but he has now developed a rash that they think might be a side effect of the other drugs he is on,…[Read more]

[u]Day Eight (Day Four)[/u] Isolation Begins

Phil is now not allowed to leave his room but luckily I was able to tell him the truth and say he was not missing anything outside, cold, raining, miserable and grey. I have to wear a plastic apron and gloves now when I go into the room which is a lovely fashion ensemble.

Phil is starting to…[Read more]

Hi Jean and Frank,

Phil has never been told anything about phosphate levels but I do know they checked his potassium levels after the harvest as a side effect of the harvest can be a drop in potassium. Sorry I can't be more help but I hope the medicine will fix the levels and maybe improve the tiredness?

Megan

That is brilliant David! 😀

Megan

Thanks Tom, Vicki and Colin,

It is amazing how stressful it all is considering everything is going fine. I think things get blown out of proportion in my mind as I sit at the hospital and worry and then I come home and worry even more as I am not there to keep an eye on things!

Thank you for your support, hopefully Phil start to sleep more…[Read more]

Hi Andy,

That is great, well done to you, your family and your friends!

I especially like the 30p – every bit helps 😀

Megan

[u]Day Seven (Day Three)[/u] The day Phil gets a single room:-) 🙂 🙂

There was not much change today, Phil is still feeling queasy but he managed to eat breakfast and some lunch. Mid morning he was moved to a room on his own, hurrah!!! It has no windows but it also has no other people so we are both happy. It is also on the quieter side…[Read more]

[u]Day Six (Day Two)[/u] The Day Phil got Bored and Megan had a Meltdown

Phil is doing well, he still feels queasy and has gone off his food but no sickness yet. When I left this afternoon he was full of energy due to eating three jelly babies, the sugar went straight to his head!:-D He also announced that he was now bored, I will need to be…[Read more]