Stem Cell harvesting

This blog has taken me longer than usual to write. That's because I'm typing it with one finger on my phone. I'm in the 'apheresis' unit at Addenbrokes, where they are harvesting my stem cells all day. And tomorrow if needed. 

They have one line taking blood out of my left arm to the machine and another putting it back into my right. It goes through the centrifugal apheresis unit which skims any stem cells that are there. They need 4 million, but I think that's not a big amount. 

The apheresis unit is up on the top floor so has lovely views of this sunny winter morning, with mist across the fields. They are attentive here because you can't move much, and there's tea and digestives on tap. Also very good with veins.  Also, I'm here for 6 hours and they can't unplug you to let you go to the toilet. So other arrangements will be made, hem hem..

The main issue is what to do for six hours when you can only use one finger on your phone. Writing this is probably the most productive. But I've also listened to two episodes of the fascinating but immensely nerdy/spoddy 'In our Time' on Radio 4. For overseas listeners, just look it up and you'll see their schtick. I've found out about the Hanoverian Accession and the Venetian empire so far. I could also talk to the adjacent patients, but the machines are fairly loud. Might learn some Chinese characters next.

I'm finishing this post with about four hours gone, and the first thing I'm going to do when they unplug me mid-afternoon is go out and take the fresh air. 

I'll find out late afternoon if they need me tomorrow too but suspect it's a yes. So one more night in the hostel I reckon, then home late Friday. Then two more weeks till I'm back in here for the reloading. Fly, little stem cells, fly!