into Hospital I went

After going for the checkup at Cookridge, the next day (Friday 12th Jan) I went for some blood as my white blood cell count was LOW, half what it should be, and quite honestly it was making me feel shit. Your heart rate goes up, and doing even the most simple tasks of making a cup of tea you just can't be bothered with, it's too much effort. So I was glad to get these three pints - kindly donated by uknown individuals.

While I was there my temperature was checked, 38.4. The doctors weren't happy with that and it was decided I should stay in. After a little protest I agreed and off I went back to my usual ward 68. I was glad I went in as that night my temp shot up to 39.8. That's not good - body temp should be around the 37 mark. Past 38 things start to get iffy. So it was decided I had a chest infection and I was promptly started on anti-biotics.

By this time it had also been decided not to go ahad with the kidney biopsy due to the fact that it was most likely to be the Hogkin's prgressing into the kidneys and the biopsy could reveal some other thing going on but it was so unlikely they didn't want to put the kidneys through the trauma and risk of the procedure. Makes sense to me, and it saves another stabbing.

It was also decided to start me on chemo, this time ChlVPP/Pablo (pronounced 'clivop pablo') as usual these letters stand for drugs, and not artists. This course has been decided as it is very similar to ABVD wihich I had early last year and responded well to. Secondly, it has very few kidney affecting drugs in it and my kind doctor has changed the levels of some drugs to suit me better. I started last Monday and the treatment lasts 7 weeks. In this time I will be closely monitored, kidney wise, to see how it reacts and where we go from there. I am very glad to finally get a structure to follow, so I can make some plans, and stop this 'let's wait and see' which just worried me.

The chemo is making me feel a bit shit, got a really sore mouth but can't see any ulcers developing. Luckily the majority of it is in tablet form so I can be at home, I just have to watch my temperature closely and if it goes over 38 to phone them immediately. The anti-biotics seem to have sorted out my temperature and heart rate, it's back to about 70bpm, and temp goes as low as 34. Not sure if that is good but being so low I have plenty of scope before hitting the magic 38.

While I was in hospital I saw myself in the mirror naked. I look terrible, bloated stomach, thing arms, can see my ribs. I hate seeing myself like this and am starting a simple excercise program to build myself up physically for the stem cell transplant which s very demanding on the bdy. Wii to the rescue! I just saw a post on Engadget of a guy that had followed a 6 week Wii sports training program, adn't changed his diet, just played 30 minutes a day and his fitness had really gone up. Coupled with some gentle swimming I should be buff in no time!



I feel positive about all this and hae made some plans for the future to look forward to and work towards. It's great have a goal. I'm going t ge my bike out of the garage and put it in my bedroom (where it belongs!) so I see it all the time and get inspired. I miss riding my lovely bike.