Countdown to BMT

So it's been over a month since I last wrote and I keep meaning to post an update, but nothing really exciting has been happening.

Since returning home from consolidation chemo, things have been going as well as expected - levels are all going well and apart from a cold, I have been well.

My life has consisted of visits to the haematology day ward every 2nd day and a variety of other work up tests for the bone marrow transplant. This has involved going to both Calvary Mater and John Hunter in Newcastle - sometimes both on the same day! Worst thing was the lumbar puncture and although the actual procedure was OK, the headache I experienced the next day was excruciating and debilitating - I could not function. With the headache I also had to have a bone marrow biopsy and then PIC line removed - with the aim at the end of that week (which was last Friday week) I was to get on a plane to go to Hobart. I got there in the end. My 17yr old daughter had to drive to Sydney airport for me as I lay in the back seat of the car - as a horizontal position alleviated the headache. I ended up on the plane taking an Endone and (luckily) laying down across 3 seats. Headache persisted on and off across the next week, but seems to have finally gone!

So, for one week I have been free of a PIC line (so good to shower without having to wrap up my arm) and so relatively 'normal' for a week. I get the Hickman line put in on Monday, ready for 'check in' at Westmead the following Monday (11th Dec).

So no Xmas tree this year and relatively little Xmas shopping but looking to pack my bags and get ready to move in to Westmead for the next 3 months...