Good news on the topup I had

The virus or what ever I have had for 4 weeks is still causing problems. The mouth ulcers have gone, the cough has improved, throat still raw from coughing, and I am starting to feel better. However I have lost 12 lbs in weight in last few weeks and the rash, which we thought was a reaction to medication I have now been off for 10 days, suddenly got worse over night. It has spread to the whole of my trunk, and now arms, underarms and the first signs on my legs.

So I popped into hospital and the Dr put me on strong Aciclovir in case it is shingles or similar- but frankly neither he nor the other two doctors know exactly what it is.

On the very good side, the latest chimerism test has showed that the topup has done very well and the percentage of the key cells that was at only 55% has gone up to the 85% donor! 😊

If it keeps going up I may not need another topup, but if it does not get to >95% or so I may need one or more topups.

Great news for Rosalind

Four years after her transplant, and a year after her partner left and I had my transplant, a bit of excellent news

She has just got a half time teaching post to cover for maternity leave at a nearby secondary school. This will be for 6 months to a year.

She will be teaching art, probably to 10 to 13 year olds

She is absolutely thrilled and we are very proud. 

This is a fantastic achievement by the National Health Service who has helped her back from the brink to being a significant contributor to society again

Not much better

After two weeks my throat is still full of ulcers. Other symptoms being persistent cough, cold, and rash on trunk as side effect to antifungal treatment. Then tiredness because of all of that and again side effect of antihistamines 

Still I am feeling a bit better

The consultant thinks it is viral - so just tough it out

Fourth birthday for Rosalind

 Four years ago today Rosalind had her transplant in Kings Hospital London. She is very well these days, although has lost some some hair which is either stress related or to do with hormones that she is on. It is a year since her partner has left her and the children, and the last bits of sorting that out were in recent weeks

She is hoping that she might get a part time teaching job, to go with the art workshops etc that she runs - she loves teaching, but could never manage full time again.

I feel a bit rubbish, having got a sore throat, cold, fungal attack in the mouth, ulcers and the odd rash. It could be graft Vs host or the other way around I can never remember which is which - they are doing tests. 

My chimerism has not changed after the stem cell topup, so I expect they will want to do more. It is the first real set back in 10 months, so I cannot complain, and it's not too bad eg I cannot smile or eat other than soft food

The Autumn ( that is "fall" for my American friends) has been lovely