§ The Limbo Dance: signifying an emergence from death to life. §
26 August 2016: Email Update to friends and rellies after the transplant
Dear all,
Transplant Done!
John had the donor stem cells infused on Wednesday afternoon, following the previous six-day period of conditioning therapy and then the commencement of immuno-suppressants. The infusion went well with no ill effects on the day. He had litres and litres (it seemed like, anyway!!) of hydrating drip both before and afterwards which resulted in visits to the loo every hour, on the hour, during Wednesday evening and through the night. Consequently, when I saw him yesterday he was a tad tired!!!
The German Connection
The donor cells have been sourced through the Anthony Nolan Trust and come from Germany. We keep teasing John that he will start talking German soon!
It’s not all plain sailing…..
John was due to have a scan on Wednesday too, as they have found he has a tummy bug – probably something he ate when we had a barbecue on the weekend before he went into hospital. Unfortunately, left hand didn’t quite know what right hand was doing on this occasion (which is pretty unusual in our experience of Heartlands Hospital) and the scan didn’t happen, leaving John shivering in a corridor for half an hour. He wasn’t too amused, as you can imagine.
As a result of the bug, campylobactor, John has been upgraded once again to another room all to himself with very attentive staff fluttering round him, and cleaners (including me!!) cleaning like crazy to remove any trace of anything that might infect John or the other patients. We even have an ‘in’ and ‘out’ airlock system to bring things into the room or take them out again, and lovely yellow aprons to wear and lots of scrubbbing of hands in an ante room before entering His Lordship’s boudoir.
What to expect
I spoke to the Consultant yesterday and, despite the bug which they are treating, he was happy with progress and told us that everything is on track.
We know that the next seven to ten days will be fairly grotty, as the immuno-suppressants can make you feel very unwell and, in particular, generate a very sore mouth. We have taken all possible precautions to manage that though, so we are hoping it won’t be too uncomfortable.
And how’s he doing really?
Despite feeling unwell at times, John is maintaining a wicked sense of humour and we are having a bit of a giggle about all sorts of things, and he is, of course, flirting with any of the attractive nursing staff!! With one particular member of staff he has regular banter going and it cheers them both up.
And Thank You one and all!
John has been very pleased to receive Get Well cards from those of you who have sent them, and grateful for the messages in them, as well as the texts, emails and Facebook comments sent through. He is concentrating hard on getting better so not always feeling up to responding to the many messages he’s receiving, so apologies to anyone who might hope for a reply and doesn’t get one!! He is not up to visitors yet – just me and the kids – but I will let you know when he’s free to entertain.
I, too, am very grateful for the support people are providing me – from the messages, and love offered, to the practical things like supper when I can’t be bothered to cook for myself, tidying my house up and doing my ironing when it threatens to overwhelm everything!! Thank you, thank you – what wonderful friends we have.
With love from Anne