Neville Has Left The Building

Yep, it's true. Neville the Neutrophil has gone. I now have 0.3 neutrophils, which means I am now "Neutropenic".
Because Neville would be fighting infections and germs (if he were still here) I have to be extra careful and check my temperature regularly. I have to stay away from anybody with a nasty cold, cough etc. It is also advisable that I avoid public places as much as possible (places like cinemas and public transport). If I developed a temperature, I may have to go into hospital to have antibiotics, as my body will have very little means of getting rid of the infection on its own.
I cannot have anything to make my neutrophils come back, it is just a case of waiting for my body to make some more.
I have been away from hospital for a week now, and I have been really well. I have been pretty tired, but as long as I'm not feeling sick, I can't complain. Thumbs up!
Also, another bit of random news, my hair is slowly starting to grow back. Its a bit like baby hair at the moment, its only fine, not a full head of hair yet. BUT... I told ya dad, my hair grows back ;) ... couldn't be the sexiest skinhead forever, I think I'll pass the glory to somebody else!
On Monday (17th May 2010) I will be going back to UCLH for a few days of chemo. I have had this drug before, just in a smaller dose.
On Tuesday, I will be having a bone-marrow test and a lumbar puncture to see how things are going. I will be knocked out for these procedures. I have had so many of them now that the thought of it doesn't faze me in the slightest.
HERE IS WHERE YOU COME IN. When I get knocked out, I tend to do something amusing. I have sung the national anthem, told jokes and debated about football. I am kinda running out of ideas... care to post any suggestions as comments?
I will try to post another blog entry whilst I am in hospital, but don't hold me to it, as I might not feel well enough to write. If I do post anything, I will tell you about what I did on Tuesday.
Hopefully Neville will be back with us soon. I hope my explanation of Neutropenia wasn't too confusing.
From your sexiest skinhead (but not for too much longer, we hope)
Andrew
:)

First Impressions

Howdy! Thank you all for your continued support and for recommending this site to people, keep up the good work!
On friday (30th April 2010), I had my first visit to UCLH as a patient. I had arranged to go to watch a Lostprophets concert on the same day, so I wasn't sure whether or not I would be able to go. My consultant at UCLH, Rachel Hough (UCLH's version of "The Hoff") was happy for my chemo to be delayed until the next day, so that I could get home in time for the concert in the evening. They performed all of their checks, took my weight and blood pressure etc. and then let me go home for the night.
Lostprophets were amazing! I had a blast. They played all of my favourite songs, and threw in some of the new stuff as well. I loved how the WHOLE crowd (me included) was singing "Last Summer" with the band. The atmosphere was brilliant and it was nice to have a night out before I started chemo, as soon I will probably be feeling too ill to be able to do things like that, and I will be feeling pretty rough for quite a while.
On saturday I went back to UCLH to start chemo. I was put into room 2... and wow! It has a massive flat-screen tv (perfect for my xbox), its own computer. I can see Wembley Stadium when I look out the window (and when you are on the 12th floor, the view is pretty spectacular!).
I started chemo on saturday afternoon, a series of infusions which, in total, takes about 9 hours. It is 2 different types of chemo and I am having these infusions every day for 5 days.
So far, I have been having a lot of anti-sickness drugs, but I am feeling very well considering the stuff I am taking. My bloods are dropping daily, and I have 1 heroic Neutrophil left... I called it Neville. HANG IN THERE BUDDY! (Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell, which fight infection). Tomorrow (4th May 2010) will be the 4th day of the chemo, but so far so good. All the staff here at UCLH have been looking after me really well and have made me feel really welcome.
If I am well enough I will update you again soon with how things are going, but until then it's farewell.
Remember to spread the word... come on, it's what Neville would want.
Andrew
:)
HANG IN THERE NEVILLE THE NEUTROPHIL!