BMT +8 and +9

Haem 70

White 0.0

Plate 13

Neut 0.0

4 pumps & running short on power outlets.......

So it has been two days since I last asked Anth to post and afraid no progress to report & have asked him to write again on my behalf.

I have been categorised NBM

(nil by mouth) as the mucositis has set in and am finding it too sore to swallow; this coupled with the ongoing gastro issue (CDI) which the doctors believe may not be the only culprit responsible for the diarrhoea however until such time as I begin to produce my own neutrophils, the risk of endoscopy too high to look any further; so for the time being I am to stay basically feeling like crap!

I was able to have a liquid food known as Resource which was ok, however the nausea, upset stomach and temperature spikes seem to continue throughout each 24hr period making it difficult to get any decent rest/sleep. This stated, last night was not as bad as the previous two nights so an improvement of sorts.

A few more episodes of House of Cards during the afternoon helped take the focus away a little & await the daily visit from the doctor. My room is down toward the end of the hallway so it is generally quiet, however on weekend rounds, if the doctor starts to the right of the ward in the morning, it is afternoon by the time I am paid a visit.

This afternoon's consult has resulted in some changes to the medications. For pain, I now have my own PCA (patient controlled analgesia) pump (the long thing at the bottom of the pic that looks a bit like a scanner) that is loaded with Fentanyl which I am able to self-administer. The 3-daily injections of Levomepromazine seem to help settle the stomach cramps and do enable me to doze off a little; so the combination may just allow me to feel somewhat rested. There is a reluctance at this stage to administer nutrition through IV as it comes with complications; this I am told will be discussed tomorrow between doctors & consulting specialist.

I read last night of a BMT patient at Day +10 being treated in WA who has been given a cream for IAD (incontinence assisted dermatits - sore bum) called Cavilon which I mentioned to the doctor this afternoon; he had not heard of it however advised he would see if the pharmacy could get it. He suggested I could try another of the ones they have here; Proctosydyl. I am willing to try most things at the moment.

Essentially I am at the mid-point of having received the stem cells and the point at which my own marrow shows signs of kicking back in. They keep me "topped up" with pack sells of blood when the reading is <70 and platelets <30. I am being given magnesium & potassium, panadol to reduce my temperature when it spikes >38....the cycle continues for now.

They have just taken me down for a CT scan of my chest to ensure my lungs are keeping clear of fluid. I have not been able to get up & walk these past few days; only to my bathroom and return to the bed so not much muscular movement going on. My weight this morning was within 300 grams of my admission weight; this likely attributed to the volume of fluid being infused due to the multitude of medications & sodium solution to preserve the kidney/liver function post chemo treatment before the transplant.

So I keep my focus on that whiteboard and look into the next week & new year; want to see those zeros start to move up.

which the