BMT - 2

Haem: 100

White: 0.7

Platelets: 52

Neut: 0.5

Weight: 62.5

So the numbers begin to tumble, although I am happy to see my Haem remain relatively constant - given that it has been it falling over the last few years and what I have needed the transfusion for.

So, a busy, but so far boring day. I will accept any boring day, and although I don't want to jinx it, I hope the rest of the night stays boring, although I have another 3.5 hours of the Rabbit going through me.

APHERISIS DAY

Today I got wheeled downstairs to have by plasma extracted from my blood, and replaced with B+ plasma. This was to lower the antibiodies as much as possible so I won't reject the donor's marrow when it arrives. I can say I was shit scared about this whole process and what they had explained could happen throughout the process - dizziness, tingling lips and arms etc. The hardest thing was keeping still for 4 hours but luckily the lovely Kate (nurse) only had to jab the canula in my left arm (for which they had specifically had me on higher fluids during the night to make them nice and plump).

So metal needle went into crook of left arm and I was told NOT TO MOVE - but please keep moving the stress ball in your left hand to keep the pressure up. By 4 hours, the RSI in my left wrist was what hurt more than anything! The return line went in through the Hickman line so I was happy not to have another Canula stuck into my other arm. As it was Anth had to feed me my toasted sandwich and drink. If I needed to go to the loo, it had to be on a bed pan - so it was hang on until the end.

In the end, apart from some minor 'vibrations' in my lips, the whole thing went just perfect and it was amazing to see what came out of me.

So all the small bags of plasma (x10) was the new B+ plasma going into me, and by the end of the whole process, the very large bag at the back of the bottom picture was full of my plasma (and then thrown out!). Surely it could have been used to fertilise a tree (although with all the chemo, it would be have been a self-let Xmas Tree)!

Return to ward, have an icy pole. Why is it that lemonade Icy Poles always make you feel better when you are feeling off?

Then start the pre-meds before 'the Rabbit', which I said is now dripping away into me and so far, so good. I don't want to say anything else at this stage in case things change during the nigh. It's due to finish about 11.00pm, and I just hope I am fast asleep for the entire process no matter what!

HARVEST DAY

So, today is also the day that apparently they harvest the bone marrow cells from my donor in Germany. So, as I go to sleep tonight, he will be waking up ready to have a similar procedure as what I did today, but removing the marrow cells that have been over-generated by his system (thanks to drugs he's been given) and then harvested to head to Australia. Apparently it is someone's job to carry and transport the cells from there to here. I thought what a cool job - just escort bone marrow cells onto a plane (presuming they fly business class) but apparently they have to check the temperature of the cells every hour and are not supposed to sleep during the flight! Not my idea of flying!!! So, I suppose the only other thing you don't want to happen is an airline strike or one to disappear from the skies....

One thing I have managed to do very well since I arrived is sleep throughout the night. My room at the end of the corridor is a blessing (although a challenge to wheel the bed in/out of) as it is much quieter. I wake to go to the toilet, but whereas at home I often lay awake then for hours, now I seem to go back to sleep. OR, I play my audiobook, and although might be awake for 30 min or so, do manage to fall back asleep without getting worried, frustrated or trying to solve the worlds problems.

Given no daytime nap today, I am sure I will be asleep pretty quickly.

So until tomorrow, and hoping I will be reporting a very boring night!