The Aftermath...

Hi again, got lots of news to be talking about.

I came home from UCLH after lots of chemotherapy on a Sunday (cant remember the exact date). On Monday, the next day, I woke up but didnt feel too great. I was sitting my Maths GCSE at home when I had to stop because I felt too unwell to continue. I had a raging temperature, so had to go straight into my local hospital.

I spent 5 days in there, having lots of antibiotics and being regularly monitored to see how things were going, and if I had any infections. This meant I was unable to sit the rest of my GCSE's that week, and will be re-sitting them at a later date.

I returned home after a blood transfusion on the night of England's first world cup match. It was good to be home, and to have football on too was an extra bonus! The next day, I woke up feeling ill again. Typical. England played so badly against the USA it made me sick! I had another raging temperature... so was sent back into hospital AGAIN! Another 5 days of antibiotics and more transfusions.

Neville the neutrophil has probably gone to watch the world cup, as I havent seen him for so long!

I have just come out of hospital from my last bout of antibiotics, hoping that I get to stay at home for a while now. I put my skinhead to good use during England's POOR performance against Algeria. I painted the cross of St. George on the top of my head. (see image below).

I have also got news regarding my bone marrow transplant, and the treatment plans for me.

Unfortunately, they were unable to find a matching donor for me, but it its not bad news, as there is an alternative. I am going to have an Umbilical cord stem-cell transplant, which is basically the same sort of thing as a bone marrow transplant, they just use the cells from Umbilical cords instead.

I will be having lots of health checks, scans etc. in the next few weeks and am hoping to start preparation for the transplant in the early part of July. Lets just hope I pass my M.O.T.!

I will be in hospital quite a lot once the transplant stuff all starts, but I'll try to keep posting on here when I can, to keep you updated.  :)

thanks

Andrew

:)

It's been a while

Howdy everybody! Long time no speak.
My last post ended with me talking about having a lumbar puncture, so I cant think of a better way to start this post than to tell you how it all went.
On tuesday, I had starved for the anaesthetic and was in the waiting room ready to be knocked out. When I was called in, my original plan was to rap the theme tune to "the fresh prince of bel air". However, when I got onto the operating table, they silenced me with an oxygen mask. I wasn't going to be beaten and so decided to do my Darth Vader impression. Maybe I was a bit too drugged up to know any different, but I think they found it hilarious! They even let me keep the mask after the operation as a souvenir!!The results of the lumbar puncture and bone marrow tests were clear and good.
I had my chemo over the next few days and then was ok to go back home. I felt very well in myself, didnt feel too sick or have headaches. Tiredness was the main issue with me, I felt like I had been hit by a bus for most of the time.
I sat one of my GCSE's whilst I was in hospital too. It was a science paper, which wasnt too bad. I thought it was pretty difficult considering I was so tired, but I dont think I did too badly in the exam itself. So no complaints.
I am currently having the same cycle of treatment again after 3 days break at home. I will probably be feeling even more tired after this bout, so I hope its not too long before I am well enough to post again.

Thats pretty much it for now guys, speak again soon
Andrew
:)