IT'S ALL SYSTEMS GO!

After a wonderfully relaxing day with GT, and a great lunch with two lovely friends - Sheridan and Mel, I finally got a call late this afternoon from RNSH, 2 NEGATIVE swabs confirmed, so Tuesday next week in for tests, Friday 5th start chemo, Tuesday 9th in hospital, Thursday 11th stem cell transplant!

BORED!

Where is the bloody Dr!?

Reasturant RNSH

Its not the chemo that makes me feel sick when in hospital - would you believe this is "scrambled eggs!",,,,, NOT looking forward to this in a week or so's time. AND breakfast is the best 'meal' of the day ,,,,, it gets worse as the day goes on.

Stem cell transplant scheduled for 11/8/2011

Babette had her meeting at RNS and has all the drugs and instructions to be ready for the transplant to occur - she gives Thursday morning, and I get Thursday arvo. 

Obviously scared (this treatment comes with risks) however excited to be getting on with the next stage.

Just praying now that the negative 'snot' tests continue, I might even get a complete week off next week - no drugs, no trips to the hospital - after months of nothing but this, the freedom from it will be amazing! and I'm just starting to feel semi-human again!

first negative nasal swab in the bag!

Just got a call from Dr Tas, have just had first negative nasal swab - the results for the micro-analysis of this swab will not be back until Thursday arvo (which is the real negative result I need) - however, its heading in the right direction!

still waiting for virus to clear ,,,, and taking it easy

Family weekend @ Darling Harbour

Don't kids love weekends away - ice cream, mcdonalds and rides.

Stem cell transplant postponed a week

Better than a month, the transplant has been pushed to the 2nd week of August.

Still need to get 2 negative nasal swabs for the virus.

Friday was relaxing

Home all day resting, staying out of this aweful weather, waiting for virus to go.

Still waiting for virus to clear

In holding pattern at the moment - waiting to clear the respiritary virus.  Going to RNS twice a week to do nasal swab test, so far - virus still there.  Gotta get 2 negative tests, before we move ahead with the stem cell transplant.  Babette is all booked in for her part in the process.

Literally just waiting for me to kick the virus, then it will be full steam ahead.

Getting better slowly ,,,,,,

So the virus I have (apparently the common cold) has put a halt to any further treatment for me until I can show two "negative" nasal swabs in a row.

They threw everything at me when I was in hospital - 2 blood transfusions, a bag of platelets, some other human by-product, antibiotics, antivirals, drugs, and more drugs!

I do feel I'm slowly getting better every day, however am keeping myself in quarantine just to be on the safe side.

Stem cell transplant is planned to begin 29th July, and I'll be admitted to hospital day -2, which is about the 2nd of August.  Not really looking forward to another 3-4 weeks in RNSH, but - you gotta be in it to win it.

Off to RNSH tomorrow for my first nasal swab - here's praying it's gonna be my first negative!

Home again

Better late then never, I think we left RNS at 7.30pm.  I was shocked to get the "go home" nod!

Pleased to be back home and ready to sleep in my own bed!

What the?

Back in hospital again! What is it with me, 39.2C temps and the weekend?

My lovely husband has been by my side all day, and I miss my girls terribly already.

Probably out on Monday.

Visited RNS today ,,,,,

Still feeling really tired and sick with this cough/runny nose virus, nothing to report, just a check up and a PICC line dressing change.  Came home and straight back into bed.

Home and resting

Bloods are low and I'm feeling pretty flat. Spent the day in bed, besides the trip to Palms to give blood, and the fainting spell afterwards (?) which added a little spice to the day.  I also have a virus (cough and runny nose) - thanks to my beautiful germy little girls!

Bed rest for me in the next few days.

Bathroom 10D,11

Ok obviously, I don't get out much these days, and spend too much time here @ RNSH, but I just gotta remember this bathroom ,,,, nice ones DO do exist in public hospitals! By the way, the chair is great, I can sit in a shower for "luxurious" ages!

Still @ RNSH, but moved to the Hilton Suite on Level 10

I'm doing much better, having some R&R now. Temp has gone and I don't expect there to be any problems with the blood cultures, so I'll be pushing for check out tomorrow.  All other tests are good and I'm feeling tops so can't imagine that I won't get the all clear to go home.  I've had another blood transfusion this afternoon, my neutrophils have moved to 1.2, so I'm predicting next week I'll be feeling pretty good - and happy for that because it school holidays and I think our beautiful Jessica is looking forward to having some quality time with her family.

To my delight I have a private suite in ward 10D, private room with a private bathroom that's pretty much hotel standard! I won't be so fast to return to "home ward" for futue admissions - unless I'm REALLY SICK and you don't give a toss, nothing beats your own room/bathroom (it has white tiles, combined shower and toilet and no dank smell). Truely feels like the Hilton compared to some beds/bathrooms I've had to occupy/utilise (and share) in this place.  So I'm just chillin, having some Michele time! Happy days!

GT brought the girls in today and we had a lunch together, kids and bathrooms - they are a fasinated with them as I am impressed, both girls HAD to do at least 3 wee's each in the matter of an a couple of hours!

GT's got the girls in bed, and will be enjoying the Swannies game tonight with a few beers no doubt.  Just what the Dr ordered for him also - winners all round!

Debbie, thanks for the visit, coffee and chat - lovely spending quality time with you my lovely! Always fun! Catch up soon!

Lastly, Thanks to YOU, yes you, who has been reading this blog and following my journey and supporting me in your own way.  My family and I appreciate it and feel you support strongly and constantly and I'm sure we wouldn't be where we are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually right now without YOUR support.  Its been a long and challenging road, so Thank you again sticking with us and caring soooo much.

Stay tuned, its just getting exciting!

@ RNSH emergency

Now I have a quiet moment a quick update from the day.

Peaked 39.3C temp that started at 730pm tonight (kids in bed (V Imp), footy started (sorry GT!). Got myself a quiet room in RNSH emergency and a spunky Dr Matt! Emergency here tonight is a zoo - people bleeding and in pain everywhere.  Being "neutropenic" is a "walk right in, get a room to yourself" card - I love it, it is one of the only PERKS of this whole gig!  Now I'm just waiting for them to organise the zoo outside, and the circus will start for me - blood tests, chest xrays, waiting, IV antibiotics, waiting,ER DR to talk to specialist, more waiting blah blah ,,,,,,,,,,

Today, appoint with Dr Will;

Abdo lesion GONE! THANK YOU GOD, thank you modern medicine, and thanks to all those praying for me, sending universe vibes, positive karma, love and well wishes!

Lung lesions mixed response BUT encouraging enough for Dr Will to feel an allogenic stem cell transplant in August would be his recommended option going forward.  He will present my case to Hopsital Board for approval on Monday and is quietly confident that it will go ahead.

PICC line in with no drama's this morning, and pleased to have it now i'm back in the bowels on RNSH! and having heaps of tests and IV stuff - don't need a cannula and very happy about that - my arms have had it.

So what are we feeling about all this - bloody terrific!  Our glass is half full and we are relieved to have a little good news - it goes a long way.  Special thanks to Glenn, he has been beside me the whole way and this week in particular has been a gruelling one phycisally and emotionally - my angel on earth!