Day 63 my line comes out!

After 70 days my Hickman line was removed this morning

I was very nervous and apprehensive 

Eg how does it happen?

How do the holes heal up?

Will it hurt when they pull it out?

In fact it was no real problem

It took around an hour. Lots of prodding but all under local anesthesia 

They have to find a cusp in the line that holds it in place. Then basically cut all the edges off the cusp, then the line justs slides out. The Registrar held his hand over the place, and within a minute it had sealed up - like magic

A few stitches and 'job done'

Day 56 post bone marrow transplant

A couple of milestones 

1. Wearing proper shoes and thereby being able to walk better

2. I drove us into the hospital. Barbara drove us back

My results were very good, except my red blood count is down a bit. They will probably give my some blood next week

I am moving to weekly tests and clinics,, as opposed to 2 or 3 times a week

Roz had a three monthly review. She is doing really well, so is being put onto six monthly reviews. She just needs to put on a bit of weight, the loss being from stress with becoming a single parent family after her partner left. These traumatic illnesses can bring on break ups , where things are not 100%

Day 55

Week on week I feel quite a bit better 

I have had visitors, more due onThursday

Walking is better, though still slow and a bit painful

Results going well - I will get an update tommorrow 

Some things that have helped me feel better

Chatting to others - concentration levels need work

Reading

Doing useful things around the house

Make drinks, paying bills, etc

And trying to order a few Christmas presents - while trying not to scream too hard at web sites that do not work!! 

If your mouth is furry, try a piece of fresh (not canned) pineapple 

Gout - come off orange juice in any form

I mainly drink water, Ribena, and mixed berry drinks

I have an hour or so sleep during day

Chat to your new bone marrow - now lots of patients do this

Keep warm - have top layers to add and remove

Day 48

My vigor and drive has gone due to lots of minor things in combination - feet, poor walking, do not feel I can do exercises, still eating too little, feel cold, keep bringing stuff up, etc

I guess Lots of folks must go through this phase -  ideas welcome!!!

I need to get out of this and be more active and positive

We will try and keep one room warmer, where I can work

Snacks and a tad more each meal

Start to ask a few friends around for max 30 - 60 minutes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekend- others days normally hospital checks / tests

Go down to village and meet people at short events

Have meal out

Have a few friends for drinks - short duration 

Let's see if that helps

Day 47 - lots a small bits of good news

Over the weekend my temperature came under control and then went back to normal and I feel quite a bit better and have been able to be a bit more active around the house.

My legs both have slight swelling, but so far some anti inflammatory cream seems to help

My concentration has improved a bit, although 'not a lot'!

I have too increase my cyclosporine intake - the anti rejection drug, which they monitor once or twice a week

So in general good progress. My legs are limiting my progress as i can only walk slowly in a flat footed manner